LOS ANGELES -- A pair of clips teasing Mary J. Blige's interview with Hillary Clinton on her upcoming Apple Music show "The 411" isn't winning over social media users.
The teaser featuring the R&B singer crooning Bruce Springsteen's "American Skin (41 Shots)" before clasping hands with Clinton was instantly mocked online after it was released following the presidential debate Tuesday by Apple.
Another clip showcased Blige telling Clinton that "a lot of people in my community think Obama was blocked in congress because he was black."
"How are you going to do what he wasn't able to do?" the "No More Drama" and "Real Love" singer asks Clinton.
Like you’ve never seen them before.@MaryJBlige sits down with @HillaryClinton.#The411
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) September 27, 2016
Coming September 30th.https://t.co/hbaWqfjJcp pic.twitter.com/P2qpm3h3Pm
An intimate conversation.@MaryJBlige and @HillaryClinton.#The411 coming September 30 on Apple Music.https://t.co/hbaWqf27NP pic.twitter.com/9nYv3G36MO
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) September 27, 2016
Inae Oh of Mother Jones wrote in in a story titled "Someone Please Explain What the Hell Is Going on With This Mary J. Blige, Hillary Clinton Interview" that the clips "created far more confusion than the excitement Apple likely intended."
Maeve McDermott of USA Today said "thanks to Blige's all-in sincerity and Clinton's miraculously straight face, the impromptu song is almost too awkward to watch."
Springsteen wrote "American Skin (41 Shots)" about the 1999 police shooting death of Guinean immigrant Amadou Diallo.
Apple is billing the interview as "an intimate conversation" featuring Blige "like you've never seen her." "The 411 with Mary J. Blige" is set to debut Sept. 30.
Here's a sample of what some social media users had to say:
As Mary j Blige sings her interview to Hillary: "how much do I have to take to get this job" pic.twitter.com/lLRUQ7vOec
— Kawanna Leggett (@K_Leg80) September 27, 2016
The most awkward video on the internet....Why Is Mary J Blige singing to hillary pic.twitter.com/2cgJXERgnp
— Gee (@Lilgeeeeee) September 27, 2016
Anyone who can keep a straight face while Mary J. Blige is singing at them like that deserves to be president
— Nyasha (@NyashaMC) September 27, 2016
If Trump wins it's absolutely Mary J Blige's fault
— #BeatOKST #BeatMinny (@HumbleTeej) September 27, 2016