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Bruno Mars blames ‘sexual deviant’ Ed Sheeran for West Java ban on songs
Singer Bruno Mars has reacted to news of his songs being banned in West Java
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Singer Bruno Mars has reacted to news of his songs being banned in West Java.
In a humorous tone, Mars posted three tweets along with mentioning Ed Sheeran, another singer whose song “Shape of You” faces a similar fate.
On Thursday, quoting Time magazine’s tweet that said “Songs by Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars and others have been banned in Indonesia’s most populous province”, Mars tweeted, “I was poppin [sic] in Indonesia! Then here comes @edsheeran with his sick, perverted lyrics, gettin [sic] us all pinched! Thanks Ed. Thanks a lot”.
Mars continued with another tweet, “’I’m in love with the shape of you?’ Really @edsheeran? You monster! & don’t even get me started on ‘Thinking Out Loud’. Have u no shame?”
The singer ended the three-part tweet by taking a playful jab at Sheeran, “Dear Indonesia, I gave u the wholesome hits ‘Nothin on You’, ‘Just The Way You Are’, & ‘Treasure’. Don’t lump me in with that sexual deviant”.
Two of Mars’ hits, “Versace on the Floor” and “That’s What I Like”, are included on a list of 17 songs deemed to have adult content by the West Java branch of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPID).
Other songs on the KPID list include “Dusk Til Dawn” (Zayn Malik), “Mr. Brightside” (The Killers), “Love Me Harder” (Ariana Grande), “Overdose” (Chris Brown feat. Agnez Mo), “Your Song” (Rita Ora) and “Wild Thoughts” (DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna).
The 17 songs can only be played from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on radio and television in West Java.
Meanwhile, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said that he could not interfere with the KPID’s decision to ban the songs.
“KPID is an independent agency. So, I have no authorization in their decision-making process. KPID’s job is to manage issues in the public. My point is this decision by KPID will surely be discussed, we will see it from various sides,” Ridwan told The Jakarta Post.
KPID’s policy on the 17 songs became public knowledge on Monday night after Indonesian rock band Seringai vocalist Arian posted a screenshot of the official letter regarding the ban on his Twitter account, @Arian13.
Arian deemed the policy as “sucks” and adding that for him, “morality is to be taught by parents and schools” not the government.
The commission’s chairwoman, Dedeh Fardiah, said the ban was based on following 86 findings and reports from the public in 2018 and early 2019.
In a circular letter sent out to 471 broadcasters in West Java, the commission cited the 2012 Broadcasting Law, which states that “Broadcasting programs containing songs and/or music videos that depict titles and/or lyrics with sexual or vulgar themes and/or implying sexual relations are prohibited”.
Mars is currently the only artist who has responded to the ban.
It followed a recent outcry over a proposed music bill by House of Representatives Commission X. The bill has been met with criticism since late January, over fears that it could curb musicians’ creativity and freedom of expression.
On Feb. 12, legislator Anang Hermansyah and members of a national coalition have come to an agreement that the House should drop the proposed bill.
