Rapper DaBaby apologizes to LGBTQ+ community for 'hurtful and triggering' remarks
Rapper DaBaby took to Instagram Monday to share another apology for the controversial remarks about people with HIV/AIDS that he made at a Miami show last week.
In the past few days, event organizers canceled his scheduled performances at Lollapalooza in Chicago and New York City's Governors Ball.
He has also been replaced by Roddy Ricch on the Day N Vegas festival lineup.
"Social media moves so fast the people want to demolish you before you even have the opportunity to grow, educate and learn from your mistakes," the statement reads. "As a man who has had to make his own way from very difficult circumstances, having people I know publicly working against me — Knowing that what I needed was education on these topics and guidance — has been challenging."
The post, which is closed to comments, adds that DaBaby, born Jonathan Kirk, is grateful to those who kindly reached out to him "privately to offer wisdom, education, and resources."
"That's what I need, and it was received," he continued. "I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/Aids, and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless."
The rapper, 29, said during his Rolling Loud performance last month, "If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two or three weeks, put your cellphone light in the air." A few days later, he tweeted that he had "no intentions of offending anybody" and acknowledged that his comments were "insensitive."
"But the LGBT community... I ain't trippin on y'all, do you. y'all business is y'all business," he added.
DaBaby then released a self-directed music video for his song "Giving What It's Supposed to Give" in which he holds up a sign that says "AIDS" as he raps of the virus, "We won't go away."
The music video concludes with message in a rainbow-colored font that reads: "Don't fight hate with hate." "My apologies for being me the same way you want the freedom to be you," he added in a comment.
Stars including Elton John reacted on social media to his behavior, reprimanding him for spreading misinformation.
"HIV misinformation and homophobia have no place in the music industry," John said. "We must break down the stigma around HIV and not spread it. As musicians, it's our job to bring people together."
ABC News' Carson Blackwelder contributed to this report.
