How Azealia Banks nearly destroyed Dave Chapelle’s marriage
(Credit: Manfred Werner)

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How Azealia Banks nearly destroyed Dave Chapelle's marriage

Azealia Banks is one of hip hop’s lost talents. Most known for her 2011 smash-hit ‘212’, the rapper, who can sing and act as well, was one of the only rappers in the world who could rap over house music without sounding unauthentic or disingenuous. Banks was a true fan of house, knew house music and wasn’t just using it for fame.

However, one thing that the young 20-year-old Banks didn’t understand when she found fame is that when you find fame, you can’t unleash that inner-city fire on people because, unlike before, you now have millions of people watching you. 

Although, at first, it seemed punk and rebellious in a cool sort of way, when the so-called radical statements started to include racial slurs, homophobic language and false allegations, the line was crossed. 

In 2020, Banks took to Instagram to air some dirty laundry and expose men in showbusiness, one of whom was renowned comedian Dave Chapelle. The comic has been married to Elaine Erfe since 2001 and has had no turmoil in his relationship. However, during a rant, Banks asserted that she had once slept with Chapelle and even made comments about his genitalia. 

After bringing up her name in his 8:46 comedy special, Banks responded online, exclaiming, “I should ruin your f*cking marriage… I should ruin your f*cking marriage. I should tell the f*cking world that we f*cked…cause y’all n*ggas don’t look out for me, so what the f*ck I’m keeping secrets for y’all n*ggas for.”

She continued, “You got some good d*ck, n*gga!… No, Dave Chappelle can f*ck me again. That was some good Black d*ck. That was some good, strong, Manding’…and that n*gga’s a legend- like, yes. Gimme that f*cking legend energy! I will snatch that sh*t right out!”

Banks has even previously claimed that she had sexual relations with the Miami DJ and producer Diplo when she was 17 as he launched her career and insinuated on her podcast Cheapy’s 2 Cents that he preyed on “ethnic girls.” You can hear banks address Dave Chapelle in the video below.