Hillary Clinton

Mary J. Blige's Serenade to Clinton Hits Off-Key Note For Social Media Users

Reactions were quick, and harsh, as social media pounced on the awkward serenade

To be kind, it was a little off-key.

R&B diva Mary J. Blige is taking fire on social media for what some are dubbing a cringe worthy serenade she performs to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton about social injustice and police brutality.

"If an officer stops you, always be polite. And never ever run away. Promise mama you'll keep your hands in sight," Blige croons as a Clinton nods her head and looks on.

The video was released by the Apple Music television show "The 411." Apple Music tweeted the preview Tuesday to promote the one-on-one interview.

The one-minute trailer features Blige belting a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s "American Skin (41 Shots)" as Clinton sits beside her. The song was originally written in response to the death of Amadou Diallo, who was shot and killed by New York City police in 1999.

The tweeted preview calls the upcoming interview between the two women "an intimate conversation" and ends with Blige asking the question, “Where do we go from here?”

But the social media sphere was more focused on the trailer itself and reactions were harsh. Many pointed out the general awkwardness of the R&B diva crooning to Clinton on the serious issue of police violence.

Tweeted responses included calling Mary J. Blige’s performance "cringeworthy," "awkward," and "an absolute joke."

Blige apparently took notice of the online haters. The singer fired back at critics in a tweet she has since deleted. According to the New York Daily News, Blige tweeted, “Everybody shut the f--- up! #takethat #haters #crabsinabarrel #simpleminded #the411”.

The interview is set to air on September 30.

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