Masashi Tashiro, former member of blackface doo-wop outfit Rats & Star, went and got himself arrested for possession of cocaine. Tashiro’s been hitting low after low this last decade, as he has also been caught filming upskirt videos and possessing other illegal drugs. Read all about it here.
Now for the timely commentary, sort of. Blackface in Japanese entertainment…or, for that matter, in any society outside of the United States, at least based on roaming website comment sections…always becomes a touchy subject. You got the “this shit’s clearly racist” side and those who think Japanese (or where ever) society is obviously different from American society and such a taboo doesn’t exist. I don’t think I’m knowledgeable enough to spearhead any conversation on the matter, but I do want to point out blackface STILL pops up on TV here every once in a while and I think there is a discussion to be had about that.
Less open for debate…Rats & Star did a really piss-poor version of “What’s Going On.”
[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00RWEJY3YG4″]