Good Bye Ari

So, I just read that Ari Up died. Strangely mixed feelings on that. On the one hand, I sad that someone around my age died so young, and I feel bad for her family, and for any suffering she may have endured. On the other hand, I never really cared for her music, and I think some of her persona and Art was a tad bit wrong-headed. Oh, it's a fine line between appreciation and appropriation, so I wouldn't exactly level charges at her- but there's something about her use of Caribbean music that seemed a bit...colonial. Yes, I completely understand how it might be that I've got a problem with white girls, but I don't think that's it, because I'm not similarly skeeved by loads of others- from Debbie Harry to Lady Sovereign. That would also be my defense if people bring up my love for the Clash- however an additional, and better defense is that the Clash never played rap, never played rockabilly, and never played dub, straight. Everything they did, they did fully aware that they were white, skinny little liberals- that's the whole point of several of their songs. Comparing White Man in Hammersmith Palais to Ari Up's last single- Lazy Slam speaks volumes, I think. Compare and decide for yourself. I might be full of it, I don't know, but I do prefer The Clash, any minute of any day.