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Bruno Mars blames 'sexual deviant' Ed Sheeran for West Java ban on songs
Following the recent list of songs banned in West Java, Bruno Mars reacted by posting humorous tweets directed at fellow singer found on the list, Ed Sheeran.
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Bruno Mars accepts his third Grammy for Album of the Year during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards show on Jan. 28, 2018, in New York. (AFP/Timothy A. Clary)
Singer Bruno Mars has reacted to news of his songs being banned in West Java.
Two of his 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). The 17 songs can only be played from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on radio and television 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”.
WTF! I was poppin in Indonesia! Then here comes @edsheeran with his sick, perverted lyrics, gettin us all pinched! Thanks Ed. Thanks a lot 🙄 https://t.co/boxHS890AE
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 27, 2019
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?"
“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?
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 27, 2019
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”.
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
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 27, 2019
Read also: Please stop the music: 17 songs too sexy for broadcasting watchdog
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 commission’s chairwoman, Dedeh Fardiah, said the ban was based 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. (wng)
