Lorde’s international hit “Royals” is racist, or so says a U.S. blogger. Feministing writer Veronica Bayetti Flores claimed that the New Zealand teen singer is taking a stab at the rap culture and black people in general with her chart-topping track.

The blogger has since sparked debate on racism with her October 3 article, in which she argued that Lorde, a “white girl,” was criticising “black folks” in “Royals.”

Flores particularly took offence at the song’s lines:

“But everybody’s like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.
We don’t care, we aren’t caught up in your love affair.”

The blogger said, “While I love a good critique of wealth accumulation and inequity, this song is not one; in fact, it is deeply racist. Because we all know who she’s thinking when we’re talking gold teeth, Cristal, and Maybachs.

“So why sh** on black folks? Why sh** on rappers? Why aren’t we critiquing wealth by taking hits at gold or polo or Central Park East? Why not take to task the bankers and old-money folks who actually have a hand in perpetuating and increasing wealth inequality? I’m gonna take a guess: racism.”

Lorde isn’t the only one who caught Flores’ ire. The writer also criticised “white liberal critics that have been so captivated by Royals’ call-out of consumption that they didn’t bother to take the time to think critically about the racial implications of the lyrics – this isn’t to say that there should be no accountability for her.

“She [Lorde] apparently calls herself a feminist – let’s just hope her feminism gets a lot less racist as she develops as an artist,” Flores concluded.

Kiwi commenters on Flores’ article were aghast at her lack of knowledge at the differences in the cultures of the U.S. and New Zealand.

“This was a dreadfully done piece of deconstruction: you’ve taken one line, out of context, without trying to even understand Lorde’s point of view,” commenter Amelia Harris wrote.

“I am pretty sure Lorde is not s***ing on blacks as you suggest. I am sure of this because here we don’t have ‘Blacks’ or ‘Whites.’ What we have are people,” another one named Rob added, further explaining that Lorde likely didn’t diss golf because in New Zealand, “anyone and everyone can play golf, it’s not an elite sport.”

“And she probably has no idea why to disrespect Central Park East because like myself she probably had no idea what that was.”

Commenter Sam wrote: “The blog itself was pretty disappointing to read. Racism is serious stuff, very serious. So plucking a couple of lyrics from a song and painting a person you’ve never met as a racist by virtue a song they have written is equal parts alarming and saddening.

The commenter also condemned Flores; points, writing, “I find it more racist that the writer sees things like Maybachs, gold teeth, and diamonds on ones timepiece as uniquely ‘black things,’ with some kind of black ownership attached; than a 16 year old white girl denouncing them as being signifiers of some kind of social ideal status.” (sic)

“Royals” lyrics:
I’ve never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
And I'm not proud of my address,
In a torn-up town, no post code envy

But every song's like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room,
We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
But everybody's like Crystal, Maybach, diamonds on your time piece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair.

And we'll never be royals (royals).
It don't run in our blood,
That kind of luxe just ain't for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.

[Verse 2]
My friends and I – we've cracked the code.
We count our dollars on the train to the party.
And everyone who knows us knows that we're fine with this,
We didn't come for money.

But every song's like gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom.
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room,
We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
But everybody's like Crystal, Maybach, diamonds on your time piece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair

And we'll never be royals (royals).
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.

Ooh ooh oh
We're bigger than we ever dreamed,
And I'm in love with being queen.
Ooh ooh oh
Life is great without a care
We aren't caught up in your love affair.

And we'll never be royals (royals).
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.

Related:
Lorde’s ‘Royals’ Dethrones Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’ Atop Billboard Hot 100 [READ]

Lorde Explains Taylor Swift Diss [READ]