Controversial American rapper, DaBaby, is set to grace the stage in South Africa at the end of September, but his scheduled performance is receiving mixed reactions from the public. The rapper is slated to perform at the FNB Stadium for the Empower Africa Concert, an event that has now become a hot topic of discussion among South African netizens.
DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, has been no stranger to controversy. Before his rise to fame, he was involved in a deadly shooting in 2018. Although initially charged with murder, the charges were later reduced to a misdemeanor when it was ruled that the rapper acted in self-defense. Furthermore, in 2020, he faced allegations of attacking a music promoter over payment disputes and was also involved in an incident where he hit a female fan during a concert. His association with Tory Lanez, who was sentenced for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, and his recent homophobic comments during a performance at the Rolling Out Loud concert, have further fueled the flames of controversy surrounding him.
Despite the excitement of some fans about his upcoming performance, many South Africans have expressed their reservations. With the nation’s strong stance against gender-based violence and discrimination, DaBaby’s past actions and comments have not sat well with many. Social media platforms are abuzz with discussions, with some users questioning the choice of the rapper for an event titled “Empower Africa.”
Prominent radio personality, Sizwe Dhlomo, took to Twitter to jest about the rapper’s scheduled performance, while others expressed doubts about the concert’s success, given the recent controversies surrounding the artist. Some even admitted to not knowing who the rapper was, highlighting the divide in opinions about his upcoming performance.
However, it remains to be seen how the concert will fare and whether the rapper’s performance will be well-received by the South African audience. As the date draws closer, the debate continues, reflecting the diverse opinions and concerns of the South African public.
