Burger King pulls commercial featuring Mary J. Blige singing about chicken; fast-food chain says decision to pull ad -- which some in black community criticized as stereotypical -- based on music licensing issues

NEW YORK , April 4, 2012 (Associated Press) – A Burger King commercial featuring Mary J. Blige singing about chicken has been pulled. But the fast-food chain is blaming music licensing issues for the decision - not criticism of the ad.



The spot debuted this week. In it, Blige sings about chicken snack wraps.



But as the video went viral, some in the black community criticized the ad as stereotypical. The black women-oriented website Madame Noire likened it to "buffoonery."



Burger King said Tuesday the commercial was pulled because of a licensing concern. The company said it hopes to have the Blige "ads back on the air soon."



A spokeswoman noted that other celebrities, including Salma Hayek and Jay Leno, also are advertising the snack wraps.



A rep for Blige did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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