Mrs. GREEN APPLE ‘Columbus’ music video taken down amid colonialism controversy

Mrs. GREEN APPLE have found themselves embroiled in controversy following the release and subsequent removal of their music video for ‘Columbus’. The video, for which Motoki Ohmori, the band’s frontman, served as planning director, featured the trio portraying historical figures Christopher Columbus, Napoleon, and Beethoven, engaging with humanoid ape-like characters on a newly discovered island.

Released alongside the MMMBop-esque single that served as the theme for Coca-Cola’s ‘Coke STUDIO’ campaign, the music video immediately sparked criticism on social media upon its premiere on June 12th. Both viewers and critics condemned the video for its portrayal of indigenous peoples as primitive and its handling of colonial themes, citing what they perceived as culturally insensitive and historically inaccurate imagery.

“In proposing the initial concept of the ‘Columbus’ music video, key themes included historical figures from different eras, humanoid apes, a home party, and a lively MV”, Ohmori explained. “Regarding the appearance of humanoid apes, I initially had concerns that it might appear discriminatory, but there was absolutely no intention to anthropomorphize them. The concept was simply about depicting different eras of life enjoying a home party”.

International news outlets such as the BBC and The Independent picked up on the controversy, amplifying the debate globally. The Independent characterised the video as “outrageous”, featuring comments from viewers who accused it of perpetuating racial stereotypes and downplaying the historical atrocities associated with figures like Columbus.

In response to the backlash, Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s label, EMI Records, and management agency, Project-MGA, issued a public apology on June 13th, acknowledging the ‘Columbus’ video’s shortcomings in addressing historical and cultural sensitivities.

“We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to everyone,” the management stated. “Our pre-release review was insufficient. We will take utmost care in the future to ensure that such incidents do not recur and deliver works that everyone can enjoy.”

Furthermore, the band canceled their appearance on the popular TBS television program ‘CDTV Live! Live!’ and had to adjust their setlist for their performance on TV Asahi’s ‘Music Station’. Fans expressed mixed reactions on social media, with some defending the band’s artistic intentions while others criticized the video’s execution and impact.

Mrs. GREEN APPLE, formed in 2013 and signed under EMI Records since 2015, are renowned as one of the country’s biggest rock acts with a sizable international following. The band boasts over 3.4 million subscribers on YouTube, more than 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and a catalog of hits featured in popular anime franchises like ‘One Piece’ and ‘Fire Force’.

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