Elton John is the latest artist to call DaBaby out for his homophobic rant on stage at Rolling Loud Festival over the weekend. He joins a growing list of artists who have called out the rapper, including Dua Lipa, Mykki Blanco, and more.
The rapper drew controversy when he paused mid set to deliver a homophobic rant saying things like:
“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.”
And: “Ladies, if your p***y smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d**k in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up.”
He later tried to clear things up via social media, but only made it worse for himself, saying “What me and my fans do at the live show, it don’t concern you n***as on the internet, or you bitter b*****s on the internet.”
Now, John, has called out DaBaby, saying that he was “shocked to read about the HIV misinformation and homophobic statements made”. The musician, who is an extremely outspoken campaigner for creating more understanding surrounding HIV and AIDS, took to Twitter to speak on the facts.
“This fuels stigma and discrimination and is the opposite of what our world needs to fight the AIDS epidemic,” said John.
“HIV has affected over 70 million people globally: men, women, children and the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
“In America, a gay black man has a 50% lifetime chance of contracting HIV. Stigma and shame around HIV and homosexuality is a huge driver of this vulnerability. We need to break down the myths and judgements and not fuel these.”
“You can live a long and healthy life with HIV. Treatment is so advanced that with one pill a day, HIV can become undetectable in your body so you can’t pass it onto other people.”
He closed out his statements by pointing to the fact that homophobic and HIV mistruths have no place in society, including the music industry.
“A musician’s job is to bring people together.”
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? HIV has affected over 70 million people globally: men, women, children and the most vulnerable people in our communities.
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) July 28, 2021
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? You can live a long and healthy life with HIV. Treatment is so advanced that with one pill a day, HIV can become undetectable in your body so you can’t pass it onto other people.
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) July 28, 2021
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? Homophobic and HIV mistruths have no place in our society and industry and as musicians, we must spread compassion and love for the most marginalised people in our communities.
A musician’s job is to bring people together.
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) July 28, 2021
DaBaby has since issued a pretty weak apology via his social media, saying that anyone whose life has been affected by HIV/AIDS, has “got the right to be upset”. He called his comments “insensitive” and apologised.
“But the LGBT community… I ain’t trippin on y’all, do you. y’all business is y’all business.”
Anybody who done ever been effected by AIDS/HIV y’all got the right to be upset, what I said was insensitive even though I have no intentions on offending anybody. So my apologies ??
But the LGBT community… I ain’t trippin on y’all, do you. y’all business is y’all business.
— DaBaby (@DaBabyDaBaby) July 27, 2021
