DaBaby

If you’re interested in sharing your opinion on any cultural, political or personal topic, create an account here and check out our how-to post to learn more.Opinions are the writer’s own and not those of Blavity's.____I am gay and I am a 12-year HIV-positive survivor.When it comes to my personal health and sexual activity, I’m an open book. This is not done to be braggadocious or to present myself as an antithesis to people who chose to “move in silence.” It’s quite the contrary. I appreciate those who can and do operate on a “need to know basis,” some of the very people that DaBaby disrespected in his homo/queer antagonistic, sexist and HIV-adversarial rant from his performance at the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami this past weekend.But it is the silence that continues to have public figures like DaBaby reveal themselves as the dangerous problem that they are. (They have never just been problematic. They are a problem, full stop.) Make no mistake that he has made himself quite known where he stands in regards to the role of mainstream rappers continuing the old tried and true narrative of being a lethal combination of sexist, misogynistic and homoantagonistic. His consistent online trolling of Megan Thee Stallion was exacerbated further by purposely bringing her accused abuser, Tory Lanez, on stage with him as a “surprise guest” performer (right after Megan’s set on the same stage).It is never a surprise, as birds of a feather all fall from the same tree.I have read a few reactions to what he said; of course, I’ve seen T.I.’s also unsurprising, yet just ridiculous defense of what DaBaby had to say. (Just another bird with the same feather.) I‘ve also seen viral debates taking place pretty much asking the same question: Why?Why did DaBaby go on this “sudden” and uncalled for tirade, and why did he choose queer men as the target? Some of the answers have sickened me. Some are going on to assume that perhaps DaBaby is suffering from some sort of internalized feelings of queerness on his behalf. Full. On. Stop.What I will not be silent about, nor allow, is the narrative to shift onto him in any form that remotely resembles pity. Not only is there no evidence that he has ever dabbled or even thought about having relations with another queer person, but it is also an unnecessary juncture from the issue at hand — which was what he said. What he said on that public stage was unnecessarily directly hostile to people who live with the HIV infection every day, women (by questioning their health and cleanliness) and those who take part in sexual behaviors deemed deviant. Even if it is true that he is suppressing some sort of feelings of queerness, even curiosity, nobody should be given space to be so visceral in their speech towards anybody, especially to those who have done absolutely nothing to him.Unfortunately, the space to be outrightly affronted is allowed for queer people, women and people living with HIV, isn’t it? What remains both infuriating and saddening to me is that people, even women and people of the queer experience, will defend people like DaBaby.In his ill-received response to the backlash, he stated “even my gay fans got standards.” Is this a compliment? Is he saying this as a newsflash, as if it is unknown that gay people all over this planet have “standards?” And why are your “standards” of not living with HIV, “p***y [not] smelling like water” or giving/receiving fellatio in a parking lot the 11th, 12th and 13th commandments?Best believe, there are some holier than thou queer “saints” who have chimed in celebrating DaBaby’s nonsense, some advocating that we “educate” him. I would like to know why in 2021 we think that people are deserving of grace when doing the most deplorable things. What happened to there being certain lines that just need not be crossed and certain things that should not be done? And why is disparaging harmless people not on that list? DaBaby, contradictory to his stage name, will turn 30 years old in December. He is a grown man. He and others like him know exactly what they are doing. The voices of support may be loud. But the voices of dissent will be louder, so help me God.What exactly are we dissenting? Well, I’m just going to call a thing a thing: we are dissenting and dismissing trash performers who not only spew out misinformation but are unapologetic in their misdeeds. When the first point of action to a sleuth of people calling you out for your words and/or actions is to tell them to “shut the f**k up,” you are further revealing yourself as a malignant problem, one that needs to be removed.The subsequent, much-too-late and disingenuous PR-written apologies are not going to save you. Not this time.I will shift and say that I am proud to see on my social media feed that most of my friends are both loud in their outrage and are staunch in their subsequent removal of DaBaby from their playlists. On the other hand, I would like to see that removal translated elsewhere. I would love to wake up tomorrow to see that DaBaby has been removed from future touring and performance dates, or that his music streams have plummeted. I want more artists to be financially penalized for the messages they send. Not too long ago, depending on where I lived and worked, I could have been fired from my job as a teacher because I’m gay. There is no reason why certain people get a pass. However, I will not hold my breath because it is the end of July — the month of performative pride, solidarity and support has been over for a while now. This is the message that queer people, people living with HIV and [Black] women consistently receive: we are disposable, seen as nothing more than the subject and brunt of everybody else’s jokes, storylines and tyrannical histrionics. It is damned time that “the powers that be” put their money where their mouth is (since fellatio has been brought up already).Stop supporting and giving platforms to these trash-ass individuals who serve no other purpose than to cause chaos in the name of “entertainment.” If we want to discuss protecting children, how about removing problem "faves" from their view. Alternatively, they will continue operating in silence and send the message that situations like DaBaby’s antics are entertaining to you. ...

Rapper T.I. is adding fuel to the fire after he defended DaBaby for making homophobic comments during his Rolling Loud performance. “I guess social media is full of confusion and words are often misconstrued, and to be honest with you, if homosexual people have more rights than heterosexual people just say that,” T.I. said during an Instagram Live. “Just let that be the law, is that the law?” View this post on Instagram A post shared by TIP (@troubleman31) T.I., born Clifford Harris Jr., took to social media to address people who were scrutinizing DaBaby after he made comments about people’s HIV/AIDS status along with other questionable remarks on Sunday, as Blavity previously reported. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, any of them deadly sexually-transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two, three weeks, put a cell phone lighter up,” DaBaby told the Rolling Loud audience in Miami. “Fellas, if you ain’t suckin’ d**k in the parking lot, put your cell phone lights...

During a performance at the Rolling Loud Festival held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, DaBaby went into a wild rant laced with homophobia and disparaging commentary about people who are HIV positive.“If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases, then put your cellphone lighter up. 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,” DaBaby said, adding that he was "keeping it real."I just know you mf lying… GET HIM pic.twitter.com/fmYjxTlGZM— Isaiah Maximoff 💥 (@ZayBelvin) July 26, 2021DaBaby, whose set was right after Megen Thee Stallion, was further criticized for bringing Tory Lanez on stage. Meg blasted Lanez for shooting her in the foot after a party, as Blavity previously...

This week featured some celebrities making moves and celebrating big wins. One of those celebrities making strides in his career is rapper Travis Scott who teamed up with Connected Cannabis, a California-based company, to launch his own weed business known as Cactus Farms, XXL Mag reported. A look at Travis Scott’s weed brand Cactus Farms 🌵🏜 pic.twitter.com/tcyOvbelQi— XXL Magazine (@XXL) July 14,...

Soulja Boy was spotted giving a lump sum of money to children who were selling candy.On Wednesday, DJ Akademiks posted two videos on Instagram with the caption “Big Draco leading by example!” In the first video, you can hear Soulja Boy saying to a child who is selling candy on the sidewalk, that he is “the first rapper to give a n***a a bankroll and let him keep the candy." View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks) In the second video, the rapper born DeAndre Cortez Way, was spotted giving money to another child who was selling...

A video showing DaBaby attempting to teach a lesson to two teenagers selling candy on the street has garnered mixed reviews from Twitter. The footage shows the rapper, born Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, opening up the doors to his sprinter van to two teens selling skittles and gushers.When DaBaby asked how much they wanted for each box, one teen replied, “$200.”1 . Should the kids have tried to finesse da baby ? No 2. Should da baby have gone back and handed them $200 or more after teaching them a lesson ? Yes but he doesn’t owe them anything Both things can be true at the same time pic.twitter.com/kkhZzfsV3H— jw (@iam_johnw2) July 13, 2021“$200?” DaBaby interrogated. “How many pieces of candy are in the box?”The teen said there were 34 packs of candy, to which the rapper responds, “And you sell them at $2 apiece? Let’s count it. What’s 34 x 2 [dollars], my boy? It ain’t $200.”Before the teens can total the product, the “Yea Yea” rapper helped them out and provided the answer, which is $68.“You gotta use your head, you tried to play me,” the Charlotte native explained. “I was gonna bless you anyway. You would have gotten the $200 but now you got $2. Y’all be...

Rappers DaBaby and 42 Dugg are offering to come to the rescue of a Missouri woman who made headlines after she allegedly avenged the death of her younger brother, according to The Associated Press. On Instagram, 42 Dugg offered to put $20,000 toward the bail of Tityana Coppage, who is accused of shooting and killing 36-year-old Keith Lars on Jan. 13, local news outlet KCTV5 reported. "I got 20 the 20 thousand if they can get her out on ten percent tell her people get with me," wrote 42 Dugg, whose real name is Dion Hayes.DaBaby shared the post on his own Instagram story and said he planned to match it. "@42 dugggg I match u a dub," added DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk. Photos of the post were shared on Instagram by hip-hop journalist Akademiks.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)Coppage's story drew headlines because she allegedly killed Lars because she told police that her family believed he was behind the killing of her 16-year-old brother Jayson Ugwuh Jr., who was shot at a gas station on Jan. 10, KSHB reported. Police told Fox4KC that the 21-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. Police found Lars dead around noon on Jan. 13 in the back of a gray Toyota, with more than 20 bullet casings from two guns found at the scene.Coppage allegedly knew where Lars was located, opened fire on him and the two exchanged gunfire before he died. She is being held on $200,000 bail. It was later revealed by the Jackson County prosecuting attorney that Coppage told detectives that Lars was behind the shooting of Ugwuh Jr. as he and two friends walked home from a BP gas station in Kansas City. Detectives filed documents in court saying Coppage told them she was dedicated to finding her brother's killer and had somehow figured out the car connected to the teen's death. Police had video footage of Coppage shooting Lars but she denied intentionally killing Lars, local news outlet KSHB said. She allegedly told officers that she intended to meet Lars and settle their dispute amicably but that Lars began shooting at her first and she only fired in self-defense.But police searched Coppage's phone and discovered that she allegedly told other family members about killing Lars and even texted Ugwuh Jr. that she had avenged his death. "Sent a [expletive] to my brother I owe em that body," court records show Coppage texted to Ugwuh Jr.'s phone.Fox4KC noted that Coppage has had to live through the tragedy of gun violence multiple times in her life. The news outlet reported that when she was 16, her 9-year-old brother Jayden Ugwuh and 8-year-old cousin Montell Ross were both killed at the home where they all lived, and the killings have never been solved.  Family members said Ugwuh Jr. was there when the 9-year-old was killed and held the child as he died, forever affecting both him and Coppage. Mayor of Kansas City Quinton Lucas has spoken out about the killings on Facebook. "Jayson’s life and all-too-early death shows us that we have to further aid families and close relations to victims of violence — and that we’re not doing enough," Lucas wrote.“Kansas City isn’t unique in having that challenge, but I would hope that we can become unique in finding that solution. We need to actually look at these families that are impacted. We need to invest even more, and victim advocates, we need to invest more and making sure that we’re not seeing that year after year retaliation,” he added in a statement to Fox4KC.“We also need to make sure that before someone is picking up that firearm to get justice as they see it, they know there’s a different outlet, they know that there’s someone to talk to, there’s someone who cares about the pain that they and their family have experienced. That’s the sort of work that we need to do more of in Kansas City,” Lucas said.Damon Daniel, the president of a local gun violence advocacy organization Ad Hoc Group Against Crime, said the kind of gun violence that Coppage dealt with is hard to overcome and it stays with someone their entire life.“When you suffer from a traumatic event, particularly a violent event, it does something to you. It changes you, especially if you were a witness to it. And so, if you’re a witness to a violent crime, you may not immediately notice the changes, but over time, it festers itself. And for everyone it manifests itself differently,” Daniel said. “We have to come to a place of understanding that there are thousands of Missourians and Kansans and folks in our Kansas City metropolitan area who are suffering from this. This family is not alone. There are so many others that are out here that are crying out every day and whose moms or dads and brothers or sisters are aching with pain because they’ve just not received justice. They don’t have that sense of...

Fans of rapper DaBaby are extending their condolences to the 28-year-old after his older brother died by suicide on Tuesday.According to Charlotte-based news station WSOC-TV, Glenn Johnson was found fatally shot in a parking lot in North Carolina. Johnson’s death was originally being investigated as a homicide, but TMZ reports that direct sources said the wound was self-inflicted.According to TMZ, Johnson posted a video of himself prior to the act where he was holding a gun and was visibly upset. In the video, he claimed he had been wronged a lot in the past, and soon after, people close to the situation said Johnson then took his life.On Tuesday evening, DaBaby posted the lyrics from his song “Intro” on social media after the news of his brother's passing circulated. Although the rapper himself has not confirmed the cause of his brother's death, the lyrics from the song seem to convey that Johnson may have battled with depression.“My brother be thinkin’ that we don’t love him and let him struggle like we ain’t family. Like I won’t give up all I got to see you,” the song’s lyrics read.Fans of the Charlotte native reflected on the tragedy of the lyric given the recent...

I jumped at the opportunity to see one half of the group, City Girls, Young Miami, perform live at the summer 2019 Essence Fest. Not once was I worried that she’d physically assault me because my phone snapped a picture of her. I also wasn’t worried about leaving the concert  with a contusion because she lost her temper in a child-like way; not once. If only DaBaby fans could say the same. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BABY JESUS (@dababy) on Jan 27, 2020 at 8:03am PSTTyronesha Laws probably didn’t have these fears when she attended DaBaby’s Tampa show, but a quick interaction with the artist made them a reality. On Saturday March 7, while on his way to the stage, DaBaby allegedly brutally slapped Laws, causing her to hurl backwards in pain. The reason? According to TMZ, someone decided to flash their phone in front of his face as he was walking by. After the incident, DaBaby followed up with a $10,000 offer to anyone willing to provide footage of him being hit in the eye by the cell phone. The Charlotte rapper then issued an “apology” stating that while he’s remorseful that a woman was on the receiving end of his battery, he would’ve responded the same had it been a man or a woman.Laws, who claimed she did not flash the phone, responded by saying she believed the apology was insincere. She was also mortified to learn that DaBaby and comedian Michael Blackson made the incident into a farce that was  posted then deleted from DaBaby’s  Instagram account. YouTube | Michael BlacksonIn the spirit of radical transparency, I don’t believe DaBaby was being sincere in his apology. Offering up a measly $10,000 to anyone who had footage of him being hit in the face, sends a dangerous message. It screams “I was completely justified in attacking this concert goer because I felt that she hit me.” Honestly, DaBaby didn’t make the situation any better by stating that, whether it was a man or a woman, he still would’ve reacted the same. That statement, in itself, lets me know that he isn’t sorry at all for hitting this woman — he’s just sorry it got recorded. Lately, prolonged public explanations seem to be his trending response to the controversies he’s found himself in.DaBaby kicked off the new decade by kicking ass. On January 2, he was arrested for allegedly robbing a concert promoter and dousing the man with apple juice. A few weeks after, on January 18, footage of the rapper’s physical altercation with a hotel employee hit the internet. Now, I’m not asking whether or not he was wrong (or guilty) in these situations, but there is one question I feel compelled to ask; could DaBaby be da problem? All of these incidents involved some degree of physical altercation with two of them resulting in DaBaby justifying the behaviors. The justifications, while connected to different events, center on his personal space being violated. I have no idea what it’s like to be a celebrity, but I’d imagine it largely includes overzealous fans wanting to snap photos and videos at all times. Is that a crime? No. Is physically assaulting them because of it, the right solution? Of course not. When the celebrities we idolize commit such heinous acts, how do we hold them accountable? What would that look like?In this case, if I were a part of DaBaby’s fan base, I’d advocate for him to seek anger management — if he hasn’t already. It’s not enough to pressure our idols to constantly release content that speaks to our souls, we need to encourage them to hold themselves accountable as well. If we claim to love, respect and sometimes worship them, we should encourage our favs to prioritize wellness — both mental and physical. As good as DaBaby’s music is, his behavior has been problematic to say the least. It’s no secret that DaBaby is a profound lyricist who gives high-energy performances along with a laundry list of dope features. He’s also a proponent of consensual touching, which might be one of his dopest qualities ever. I’m hoping that he continues to thrive and pave the way for musicians behind him, but his persistence in involving himself with these controversial incidents could end his career before it even takes...

Rapper Lil' Yachty is back in his bag with new music. The artist released a music video for his new song titled "Oprah's Bank Account" featuring heavy hitter Drake and rising North Carolina rapper, DaBaby on Monday.Playing on the title of the song, the 22-year-old dressed as Oprah Winfrey while on a mock set of the mogul's long-running television talk show. The video, which was directed by Director X, opens up to a live audience chanting "Boprah" as the Georgia native walks out in an Oprah-esque outfit, Pitchfork reports. His first guest, Drake, walks on stage to jokingly make fun of himself without his signature beard after Yachty inquired about him deciding to finally pierce his ears at 33."I look at pictures of myself without a beard and I shutter," Drake said. "Not sure how I went through life really functioning like that. And I think you know that was a big change for me, and the ears were just the next step."Drake, who has glowed up since the release of his mixtape So Far Gone, bragged about finally reaching his full LSC — light skin capability. "I just feel like the combination has allowed me to arrive at the peak of the [LSC] mountain, you know?" the Toronto rapper said. "I'm up there on the Mount Lightmore."The video then pokes fun of Winfrey's home interviews, as Lil' Yachty sits down to talk with DaBaby. The two joke about the Charlotte native's "Let's Go" adlib on his songs and blending his songs to sound like one ongoing track."Now when you say 'let's go' where are we going?" Lil' Yachty inquired."It always depends on where I'm coming from. I could be going to your b***h crib. I could be going to the bank," DaBaby answered. Although Drake and DaBaby were both featured on the song, Lil' Yachty said he originally reached out to Lizzo to hop on the track, but she never got back to him, Uproxx reports.“It’s so crazy because I originally wanted to put Lizzo on it,” he said. “I sent it to her, and I don’t want to say she didn’t like it, because she never got back to me on it, which was cool. I understand people are busy."The rapper then went on to explain how he got both Drake and DaBaby on the track. "I posted a snippet on my finsta. Drake follows my finsta, which is crazy. And he was like, 'Yo, this is dope,' which blew my mind. Of course, that’s the homie, but him showing love like that, [was cool]. Then he [told me to] send it through. I didn’t know he was serious, but he got on it,” he said.“DaBaby, he had a meet and greet in Atlanta, and I went. I didn’t necessarily know he was going to like this song or want to get on it. I didn’t play it for him and he hadn’t heard it. But I hung out with him for three or four hours there, and I was like, ‘You want to go to the studio?’ He came and I played it, and he loved it,” he added.The song is expected to be on Lil' Yachty's upcoming album which he says "is done" and "coming very...