10 Reasons Why People in The 80s Hated Whitney Houston For Doing Pop Music

10 Reasons Why People in The 80s Hated Whitney Houston For Doing Pop Music 

Whitney Houston, one of the most successful and influential singers of all time, faced considerable criticism and even hostility for her dominance in pop music. Despite her immense talent and record-breaking success, some people, particularly in the Black music community, felt she had "betrayed" her roots by focusing on a mainstream pop sound. Here are ten reasons why she received backlash for doing pop music:  

### 1. **Accusations of "Selling Out"**  

Some critics believed Houston abandoned her R&B and gospel roots in favor of a more commercially viable pop sound. Her early albums, especially her self-titled debut (1985), were heavily pop-oriented, which led to accusations that she was catering to white audiences rather than staying true to Black musical traditions.  

### 2. **Lack of "Grit" in Her Sound**  

Compared to other Black artists in the 1980s, such as Aretha Franklin or Anita Baker, Houston’s music was considered too polished and lacking the raw, emotional depth found in traditional soul and R&B. This made some people view her music as inauthentic.  

### 3. **The “Whitewashed” Image**  

Houston’s image was carefully curated to appeal to a broad audience, which included toning down her gospel-infused vocal delivery and avoiding overtly “Black” aesthetics. This led some to believe she had been molded into an artist who was more acceptable to white audiences.  

### 4. **Rejection by Black Radio Stations**  

Early in her career, some Black radio stations refused to play Houston’s music, labeling it “too white.” This was especially frustrating given that she was a Black artist, yet found it harder to connect with Black listeners due to her pop-heavy sound.  

### 5. **The “Not Black Enough” Controversy**  

At the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards, Houston was famously booed by sections of the audience, reflecting the resentment some felt toward her crossover success. Many believed she had distanced herself from Black culture in pursuit of mainstream (white) approval.  

### 6. **Success with a White Audience**  

Houston’s music appealed greatly to white listeners, which ironically made her less popular among some Black audiences. This created a perception that she was catering more to white tastes than to her own community.  

### 7. **Industry Manipulation**  

Some critics argued that record executives, particularly Clive Davis, intentionally shaped Houston’s career to make her a “safe” Black artist who would not challenge racial norms, making her more palatable to white audiences.  

### 8. **Comparison to Other Black Artists**  

Artists like Mary J. Blige and Chaka Khan, who had a grittier, more urban sound, were often seen as more authentic representations of Black music. Houston, in contrast, was viewed as distant from that tradition.  

### 9. **Misunderstanding of Her Gospel Background**  

Many overlooked the fact that Houston was deeply rooted in gospel music and came from a legendary musical family. Critics failed to see how her vocal power was shaped by these influences, instead focusing on the genre she performed.  

### 10. **Pop’s Perception as “Less Serious”**  

In the 1980s and 1990s, pop music was often seen as commercial and less artistically credible compared to R&B or soul. Houston’s dominance in the pop genre led to skepticism about whether she was a true artist or just a well-packaged product.  

Despite the criticism, Houston ultimately proved her versatility, seamlessly blending pop, R&B, and gospel throughout her career. Her influence remains unmatched, showing that music transcends boundaries.