Yesterday we reported on North Carolina rapper DaBaby being dropped from the Lollapalooza lineup at the eleventh hour. It followed his removal from The Governors Ball in New York City and November’s Day N Vegas festival.
The cancellations come in the wake of DaBaby’s homophobic outburst during a performance at Rolling Loud Miami over the final weekend of July. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone light up,” he said. “Fellas, if you ain’t sucking dick in the parking lot, put your cellphone light up.”
DaBaby tried to laugh off the initial backlash, offering a non-apology – ““My apologies for being me the same way you want the freedom to be you” – at the end of his ‘Giving What It’s Supposed to Give’ music video. He has now released a statement of remorse.
Writing on Instagram, DaBaby highlights the severity of his censure: “Social media moves so fast that people want to demolish you before you even have the opportunity to grow, educate and learn from your mistakes.” He then gets around to the apology:
“I want to apologise to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important.”
Lollapalooza issued a statement via its social media channels explaining their decision to drop the rapper. “Lollapalooza was founded on diversity, inclusivity, respect, and love. With that in mind, DaBaby will no longer be performing at Grant Park tonight.” The Governors Ball offered a similar explanation: “Founders Entertainment does not and will not tolerate hate or discrimination of any kind.”
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