Apple Exec Apologizes After Mansplaining Music To Women

Yikes.

Apple Music executive Jimmy Iovine has drawn the outrage of The Internet this week after making some ridiculous comments about why women need music.

Iovine appeared on Thursday's broadcast of "CBS This Morning" with Mary J. Blige to promote Apple's new series of ads directed by Ava DuVernay and starring Blige, Taraji P. Henson, and Kerry Washington.

Explaining the inspiration behind the ad Iovine said, "So I always knew that women find it very difficult at times, some women, to find music. And [Apple Music] helps makes it easier with playlists -- but they're curated by real people."

He added:

"I just thought of a problem. You know, girls are sitting around talking about boys, or complaining about boys, when they have their heart broken or whatever. And they need music for that, right? So it's hard to find the right music."

Iovine drew criticism for "mansplaining" the app to women, and for implying women only need music for stereotypical things like "complaining about boys." Thankfully, the exec has since apologized for his comments.

Iovine's comments were not intended with malice (which is the case with lots of sexist language), but they were tone-deaf at best and emblematic of the subtle sexism in the tech industry at worst. His approach to the ads, which have been largely celebrated as empowering displays of sisterhood, isn't surprising -- just very disappointing.

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