Diddy, the host of this Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards, wants to redeem the reputations of “cancelled” artists such as Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen.
Both Scott and Wallen will perform at the 15th May awards ceremony. In Scott’s case, it’ll be his first major public appearance since the 2021 Astroworld disaster, which led to ten deaths. For Wallen, it’ll be his first awards show since TMZ published footage of the country singer yelling “take care of this pussy-ass n****,” in February 2021.
Billboard announced Scott’s appearance at this weekend’s awards ceremony in a glowing tweet, describing the Texan hip hop performer as “the first artist to ever have three songs hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in less than a year.” In an interview with Billboard, Diddy, the host and executive producer of the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, explained why he insisted that Scott and Wallen be on the program.
“Travis went through a tragedy; Morgan [used the N-word] while talking to his boy. People make mistakes,” he said. “Now we’re moving on with love and respect for everybody that was hurt or affected. It’s time to forgive.”
Diddy continued, “To have Morgan and Travis be able to come back and touch the stage again with the mindset of getting a second chance at life – everybody in the room is getting a second chance at life, you know, because we’re back inside with no masks on. We need love and I’m excited about celebrating that.”
Diddy also described Scott and Wallen’s inclusion as an act of “un-canceling the canceled,” saying that “canceling is a trend that needs to stop.”
The televised awards ceremony will also feature performances by Burna Boy, Megan Thee Stallion, Rauw Alejandro, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mary J. Blige, Florence + the Machine, Maxwell, Silk Sonic, Ed Sheeran, Becky G, Elle King, and Miranda Lambert.
