On August 2, DaBaby posted a statement on Instagram apologizing for the homophobic remarks he made on Rolling Loud Miami last month. “I would like to apologize to the LGBTQ + community for the hurtful and offensive comments I made,” DaBaby wrote in the post (seen by Pitchfork). Now the statement has been removed from his account, as Vulture points out (and Pitchfork can confirm this). Pitchfork has asked DaBaby representatives for a comment.
DaBaby apologized on August 2 after being removed from a number of festivals. The day before, Lollapalooza announced that DaBaby will no longer perform at the festival and that its headlining slot will be occupied by Young Thug. Governor’s Ball followed shortly thereafter, removing DaBaby from the line-up. It was also drawn by Day N Vegas in November, the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Music Midtown, and the iHeartRadio Music Festival in September.
DaBaby made the offensive comments on July 25th while performing on Rolling Loud. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or one of those deadly sexually transmitted diseases that will kill you in two to three weeks, turn on your cell phone,” he said, addressing the crowd. “Guys, if you’re not sucking cock in the parking lot, light up your cell phone!” After widespread criticism, the rapper said his gay fans weren’t “bad gays” or “junkies”.
After the incident, DaBaby released the music video for “Giving What It’s Supposed to Give” with a sign that read “AIDS” in his hand. The clip ended with the message: “Don’t fight hate with hate. I apologize that I am how you want the freedom to be you. “
Billboard recently released a report detailing a drop in radio play numbers for Dua Lipa and DaBaby’s “levitating” remix following the controversy. Lipa spoke out against DaBaby shortly after his Rolling Loud comments began circulating online. “I’m surprised and appalled by DaBaby’s comments,” she wrote on an Instagram story (seen by Pitchfork). “I really don’t acknowledge this as the person I’ve worked with. I know that my fans know where my heart is and that I am 100% with the LGBTQ community. We have to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance surrounding HIV / AIDS. ”Elton John, Demi Lovato and Madonna also criticized the rapper for his comments on social media.
