Trap star DaBaby has been dropped from this year’s Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, Day N Vegas and Parklife festivals, following homophobic remarks made during his performance at Rolling Loud Miami last week (July 26th).
In one section of DaBaby’s controversial performance, he said to the crowd: “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 lighter up.” At another point, he proclaimed: “Fellas, if you ain’t sucking dick in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up!”
The one comment that drew a considerable amount of ire was when he claimed his gay fans aren’t “nasty gay n—-as” or “junkies.”
As well as being heavily criticised by fans, other musicians have weighed in on the remarks. Dua Lipa, who worked with DaBaby on the remix of ‘Levitating’, stated in an Instagram story: “I’m surprised and horrified at DaBaby’s comments,” she wrote.
Dua Lipa continued: “I really don’t recognise this as the person I worked with. I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100% with the LGBTQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS.”
Elton John labelled DaBaby’s comments as “HIV mistruths”. He tweeted:
“This fuels stigma and discrimination and is the opposite of what our world needs to fight the AIDS epidemic.”
In response to the backlash, DaBaby has released a statement in apology: “I want to apologise to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made,” DaBaby stated. “Again, I apologise for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important.”
He has also released a song and video entitled ‘Giving What It’s Supposed to Give’, in an apparent reference to his Rolling Loud remarks. At one point in the video, he holds up a sign saying “AIDS”. It ends with “Don’t Fight Hate With Hate”, spelt out in rainbow lettering.
It finished with: “My apologies for being me the same way you want the freedom to be you.”