“We wear the inspiration on our sleeve.” Published March 7th Written by BET Staff In March of 2018, Bruno Mars went viral after being accused of cultural appropriation. He is now addressing the reports that he is a culture vulture. The Grapevine launched a hotly controversial 25-minute discussion. Sensei Aishitemasu took the floor to call out Mr. 24K Magic with a laundry list of points that pinned the culture vulture badge to his career and Grammys recognition. “Yes, Bruno Mars is 100 percent a cultural appropriator,” she began. “He is racially ambiguous. He is not Black at all, and he plays up his racial ambiguity to be able to do what Jamir says: cross genres and go into different places.”