By This Is Africa on July 19, 2016 — There’s no denying that Africa has some of the most talented musicians in the world. By making hit after record-breaking hit, these artists have proven that the continent’s musical talent stacks up against the best in the world. There’s just one problem: too many top artists seem to be promoting the warped impression that true beauty only comes in one form: light/white skin. Is this a wrong-headed marketing ploy or are these artists truly blind to the negative body image attitudes they are promoting?

Dark girls? No thanks! : Why are so many African artists so colorstruck? (Photo: YouTube video still)
Hey Africa! Let’s talk about something. We’ve noticed it and we know you have too. Unless you live under a rock, you must know that the music industry in Africa is going through a bit of a “golden period.” Artists from Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa and Uganda (you name them) have taken Africa and the world by storm. That’s meant lots of flashy music videos popping up almost every day of the week.
Creativity abounds but, unfortunately, so does something else: many of the artists seem to prefer using white or light-skinned models to dark-skinned ones. If you went on YouTube right now and cued up ten of the latest music video offerings from top artist in West, East and Southern Africa, this would quickly become apparent. In fact It’s impossible to avoid the conclusion that top African artists are a colorstruck bunch. Just to drive the point home, here are a few that leap out even from a cursory glance.

Wizkid – Final (Baba Nla) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srwAd1iR5qI

Teknomiles – Duro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht_AjD_V_QI

StarBoy Ft. L.A.X & Wizkid – Caro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF47kno4Dro

Rich Mavoko – Ibaki Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgaNbGyQToI

Flavour – Sexy Rosey ft. P-Square https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ZRNag3Zd0

Diamond Platnumz – Mdogo Mdogo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UANpXcbPjiI

Diamond Platnumz – Mdogo Mdogo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UANpXcbPjiI

Amarula – Roberto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM19D8kr6tc

Amarula – Roberto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM19D8kr6tc
Creativity abounds but, unfortunately, so does something else: many of the artists seem to prefer using white or light-skinned models to dark-skinned ones
Marketing gimmick or shameless colorism?
We’re not the only ones that have noticed this deplorable trend.