Robin Thicke Responds To Cultural Appropriation Rumors: “I’ve Always Wanted To Be Apart Of Black Culture” [Video]

Robin Thicke addresses “haters” who claim that he appropriates black culture.

On a recent episode of the “We In Miami” podcast, the 46-year-old singer joined the cast and opened up about his connection to black culture. Thicke began explaining himself by saying, “I’ve always wanted to be apart of black culture.”

“My grandfather was a jazz trumpet player,” he said. “His father was a jazz trumpet player. My mom sang black music, my dad worked with Richard Pryor. So for me, I think my family has been trying to be black for a long time.”

Thicke was then asked if he had received hate from people apart of black culture, to which he replied that he had encountered naysayers.

“Some people would try to poke me or make it seem like it wasn’t real,” he added. “But its been to me since as far as I can remember.”

Nevertheless, Thicke gave some advice to anyone who is dealing with haters of their own.

“Haters are supposed to be teachers,” the “Lost Without U” singer said. “If you just see them as haters, you’re missing the point. Maybe they’re supposed to teach you how not to treat people, how not to act, what not to say, what not to believe.”