Here’s how Snapchat wants to make its users look like Bob Marley: Plop on some dreadlocks, have them rock a red, yellow, and green Rastafarian cap, and maybe darken up their skin a little?
Snapchat (SNAPCHAT) released a new Bob Marley filter early in the day on April 20th. The popular messaging app quickly drew criticism on social media for releasing the reggae look on a day well known as an unofficial holiday for marijuana fans (4/20).
[Playbuzz-item url=”//www.playbuzz.com/fortune/is-snapchat-s-new-bob-marley-filter-just-blackface”]
Model Kylie Jenner came under fire after she tested out the new filter and posted the video on her Instagram page.
Warning: The video below contains strong language.
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qBJBMw1H40
Bob Marley music fans took to Twitter to express their disgust with the new filter, which they said looks like a high-tech version of blackface. They also say releasing the filter on 4/20 makes Marley seem more like a weed icon than a revered reggae musician.
Https://twitter.com/jackquemi/status/722735264574148608
https://twitter.com/ZER0DayVirus/status/722720350228848640
https://twitter.com/TweetsByBilal/status/722750779577094144
Snapchat isn’t the only social media app with a reggae look for users to try on. Snapchat competitor MSQRD, recently acquired by Facebook, has its own bevvy of celebrity filters and masks, and notably, has had its own Rastafarian filter in place for months. That filter adds in dreadlocks, sunglasses, and a cap, but doesn’t change a user’s skin tone.
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Snapchat told Coins2Day in an email that the new Bob Marley lens was created in partnership with the Bob Marley Estate, saying “millions of Snapchatters have enjoyed Bob Marley’s music, and we respect his life and achievements.”
Update Apr 20, 2016 1:40 pm E.T.: This story has been updated with a comment from Snapchat.
