DaBaby knows why rappers are “scared” to work with him
DaBaby and his time as an exciting new artist was not only short but shrouded in controversy. After a 2018 shooting outside a Walmart in North Carolina, in which the rapper was allegedly involved, he barely had time to settle into his career before he was entrapped in legal proceedings, which adversely affected his ability to release music.
Only two years later, in 2020, DaBaby was caught slapping a female fan during his Up Close N Personal tour as he walked up to the stage. The incident, which went viral on social media, created more negative publicity for the new star.
Furthermore, in 2021, while performing at the Rolling Loud festival, DaBaby screamed inappropriate homophobic tropes, speaking about STDs. Mid-performance, DaBaby exclaimed, “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.”
He followed up, screaming, “Fellas, if you ain’t suck a n*gga dick in the parking lot, put your cell phone lights in the air. Keep it fucking real.” He also brought the now-incarcerated and loathed Tory Lanez out on stage despite his charges of shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
As such, DaBaby became an untouchable figure. He continued to throw money at attorneys and prosecutors to try to keep himself out of jail, but with mugshots flying around the internet, it was already too late for the newly arrived artist.
That said, in 2021, the ‘Masterpiece’ rapper took to Instagram to state that he believed other MCs were “scared” to work with him. He believes it’s because he’s the best emcee out. However, it’s most likely due to his infamy.
Writing on his story, the lyricist shared, “BEST MF RAPPER & I’m on ALLLAT shit these niggas LIE about. I’m him frfr. If a nigga ain’t tryna work with the real thang, he SCARED. The best supposed to compete w/ the best. These niggas just TALK like they like dat SHUUUUT UP.”
Despite his status as a somewhat cancelled artist, in 2021, his hit single ‘Rockstar’ became five times platinum while ‘Suge’ went four times platinum. It seems people are still streaming his old music. However, since his breakout in 2017, he has undoubtedly become less relevant.
In 2021, after news he had been nominated for a Grammy, DaBaby told Revolt, “It definitely felt twice [as] impactful as last year,” he said. “I made a bold statement when I was nominated for them last year. I said, ‘I’m going to be at the Grammys and will be nominated every year of my career as a mainstream artist.’ It’s definitely a repayment for the work that I put in over the past year.”
