NEW YORK — 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 soulfully 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," though a spokeswoman would not comment on whether they ads would be the same.
The spokeswoman also 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.
PHOTOS: Mary J. Blige Performs
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Escape To Total Rewards At Woldenberg Park, New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 01: Mary J. Blige performs at The Escape To Total Rewards at Woldenberg Park on March 1, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)
Escape To Total Rewards At Woldenberg Park, New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 01: Mary J. Blige performs at The Escape To Total Rewards at Woldenberg Park on March 1, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)
Escape To Total Rewards At Woldenberg Park, New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 01: Mary J. Blige attends The Escape To Total Rewards at Woldenberg Park on March 1, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)
Escape To Total Rewards At Woldenberg Park, New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 01: Maria Menounos, Mary J. Blige and Gavin DeGraw attend The Escape to Total Rewards at Woldenberg Park on March 1, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)
Escape To Total Rewards At Union Station, Chicago
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 01: A general view of the atmosphere at Escape To Total Rewards at Union Station on March 1, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)
2012 NBA All-Star Game
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Singer Mary J. Blige performs the United States looks on during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on February 26, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
2012 NBA All-Star Game
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Singer Mary J. Blige performs the United States National Anthem during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on February 26, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
2012 NBA All-Star Game
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Singer Mary J. Blige performs the United States National Anthem during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on February 26, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Belvedere) RED Pre-Grammys Party With Mary J Blige - Roaming Inside
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Belvedere board member John Sykes, singer Mary J. Blige, and Belvedere CEO Charles Gibb attend the (Belvedere) RED Pre-Grammys Party with Mary J Blige held at Avalon on February 9, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images For (Belvedere) RED)
(Belvedere) RED Pre-Grammys Party With Mary J Blige - Performance
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Singer Mary J. Blige performs onstage at the (Belvedere) RED Pre-Grammys Party with Mary J Blige held at Avalon on February 9, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images For (Belvedere) RED)
NEKESA MUMBI MOODY 04/ 3/12 07:10 PM ET Associated Press