Rapper Cancels DC Show: I Didn't Know Black Pride Was A Gay Event
Popular rapper Wale has canceled his scheduled headlining appearance DC's Black Pride. Because he didn't know it was a gay event. Via the Washington Blade:
Black Pride organizers were startled this week when they received two e-mails from Wale’s agent, one saying the rapper had to cancel due to “family obligations,” and the second saying he didn’t know Black Pride was a gay-related event when he agreed to appear. “We were clear about what kind of event this is,” [organizer Earl] Fowlkes told the Blade. “After doing this for 20 years, we certainly don’t want to put ourselves and the artist in an uncomfortable situation by not telling them what we are. “We’re Black Gay Pride, and the people coming out there are members of our community,” he said. “We made that very clear.” Fowlkes said Black Pride officials believe homophobia was the underlying reason that Wale cancelled his appearance. He said Wale’s agent has refunded an advance fee that Black Pride made to book the rapper, but noted the group is considering taking legal action for what Fowlkes described as a breach of contract.Organizers say they had carefully vetted Wale's music for signs of anti-gay lyrics and found none.
Labels: gay Pride, rap music, Washington DC