ZZBRA Gets Called Racist?!

Camobear Records was contacted by a writer from The Gauntlet recently. The University Of Calgary student asked us about getting an interview with the folks behind ZZBRA. We told him we’d pass the questions on if he’d like, and then he dropped this bomb on us.

“Well the most pressing question I would like answered is actually about the group’s music video for “Green.” The only black person in the video seems to fit into a rather unfortunate “voodoo priestess” stereotype, that isn’t really explained. While the group is rapping and dancing, we see this woman roll her eyes back into her head and poke pins into a voodoo doll while men in ape masks prance around her. Everyone I have pointed this out to agrees that it is rather strange and actually quite offensive, and I was wondering how ZZBRA would justify the inclusion of these scenes?”

ZZBRA racist?! How could this be?

Us being the awesome label we are and knowing this video was definitely in no way racist, decided to respond with the following letter to the writer on behalf of Stuey Kubrick himself:

“A statement from Camobear Records in response to accusations of racism in Stuey Kubrick’s video for “Green” by ZZBRA.
Stuey Kubrick has been a long time collaborator of Camobear Records. He has done many videos for us as well as garnered his own successes with his film work. With that said we do admit that Stuey is aperverted, debaucherous, hedonistic, recluse and a greasy criminal with countless arrests. However, in no way is Stuey Kubrick prejudice towards any cultural group or ethnicity.
We would like to state that it was also a missed fact that the voodoo priestess is not the only black actor in the video, but member of the group Moka Only is also of African descent. The voodoo priestess is a lead character in the film ZZBRA; and goes on an amazing quest through mystic lands and restores good to the universe. As far as apes go: Stuey has been known to use monkey costumes in many of his fictitious works. This has nothing to do with some kind of racial undertone, it is in fact just because the chimpanzee is an awesome animal and ZZBRA meets many along its vast epic journey through time.
We would love to set up an interview for you with Stuey Kubrick so that he could have a chance to clear up this mess. Unfortunately we have not been able to reach him and the word is on a recent visit to the states Stuey was detained by the US Government and hasn’t been heard from since. He is more than likely in asecret prison somewhere or dead. If he is dead he would be turning in his grave upon hearing someone call him a racist. The man is a modern day Roman Polanski being attacked for his grandiose passion for elaborate cinematography.
Camobear Records fully stands behind the choices and artistic vision of our collaborators and partners.Stuey Kubrick may be a psychopathic thrill seeker and a vile violent villain of a man, but he is in no way a filthy dirty racist. He is second cousin to famous R&B singer Tyrese, and there has been many stories of their interesting encounters and adventures, including the time Stuey was the DP on the film “Baby Boy”.
In the many years working closely with Stuey, Camobear has had to fend off gossip and innuendo due to the provocative nature of his works. And we are sooooo tired of it. As ludicrous as Mr. Kubrick’s lifestyle might be to me and you, the 8th amendment protects his right to freedom of speech and we have to protect our rights, man! Especially in times like these.

We hope this clears some things up,

If you find him, please let us know as we are worried and miss him dearly. Good luck and Good night.Camobear Records.”

The article written based on the response was just published and can be read here:

and lastly thank you to Sean Willett and The Gauntlet for the interesting article that for once actually goes beyond the music.