More music festivals have dropped DaBaby after he again refused to meet with LGBT+ and HIV/AIDS groups to develop a comprehensive anti-stigma campaign.
The 29-year-old rapper sparked outrage by uttering anti-HIV, anti-ghey comments at Rolling Loud in Miami.
On Friday, Aug. 6, it was announced singer Ne-Yo will replace DaBaby in the lineup at the Can’t Wait Live concert in Philadelphia next week.
Multiple LGBT+ and HIV/AIDS organizations have contacted the rapper’s reps to schedule a day they can meet to “educate” him about homosexuality and HIV/AIDS.
GLAAD published an open letter to DaBaby on its website:
“We heard your inaccurate and harmful comments at Rolling Loud and have read your Instagram apology. However, at a time when HIV continues to disproportionately impact Black Americans and queer and transgender people of color, a dialogue is critical. We must address the miseducation about HIV, expressed in your comments, and the impact it has on various communities.
“You can be a powerful and influential voice, especially across your home base in the South, where the Black community’s needs are notoriously under-represented across every public spectrum. We encourage you to share this information with your fans and followers, and become an agent of truth and change.”
However, DaBaby has reportedly declined to meet with the groups.
DaBaby has lost lucrative gigs at Lollapalooza music festival, Governors Ball, Parklife, Day N Vegas, ACL Fest, and the iHeartRadio Music Festival, among others.
LGBT+ groups fear DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, sabotaged their efforts to raise HIV awareness and increase LGBT+ visibility in the Black community.
