American rapper DaBaby is under fire for controversial statements about HIV and homosexuality that he made on Sunday at the Rolling Loud festival in Miami.
The 29-year-old rapper asked those in attendance to turn on their cell phone lights during his performance unless they “have HIV, AIDS or another deadly sexually transmitted disease that will kill you in two or three weeks” or “are gay.” having sex in parking garages”. Fragments of his statements have since been widely shared on the internet.
DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, says in a now-deleted Instagram post that his words have been twisted and that he is loved by both straight and gay people. According to the rapper, his gay fans do not have AIDS, but this disease is “dirty” and for “junkies on the street”. “Even my gay fans have morals and values,” said the artist.
The rapper was also criticized for choosing his guests at the same festival. DaBaby acted after rapper Megan Thee Stallion and brought her ex-boyfriend Tory Lanez on stage. Last August, she accused Lanez of shooting her in both feet.
Rapper comes with partial apologies
The rapper seems to be shocked by the fuss, because in a later tweet he partially apologizes. “Anyone affected by HIV/AIDS, you have a right to be angry with me because what I said was insensitive even though I didn’t mean to offend anyone. So I apologize for that.”
However, he owes nothing to the LGBT community, DaBaby tweeted. “I’m not attacking you at all, do as you please. Your business is your business.” The rapper also seems to lash out at Boohoo, a clothing company he works with that publicly distanced himself from his words. “To any brand, channel or artist that wants to capitalize on the influence black rappers have on culture, without understanding it, save your money next time.”
Dua Lipa
The American is best known for his hit Rockstar with Roddy Ricch and the remix of Levitating with Dua Lipa. Many famous artists, including Dua Lipa, expressed their disapproval of DaBaby on Instagram. She said she was “surprised and shocked” by the artist’s homophobic statements.
“I really don’t recognize him as the person I’ve worked with,” Lipa said on Instagram. “I know my fans know where my heart is and that I support the LGBTI community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance surrounding HIV and AIDS.”