DaBaby has been “levitating” on fame ever since the release of his hit single “Suge” in 2019. However, he was pronounced “Da-canceled” after yelling homophobic comments at a popular music festival called Rolling Loud.

   DaBaby, a 29-year-old Charlotte native, has been a dominating figure in the rap community for three years until he offended fans with homophobic and ignorant remarks he made on July 25, 2021. “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,” DaBaby shouted on stage according to Newsweek.

   DaBaby was on ”Da roll” until social media apps, such as Twitter and Instagram, got word of the offensive comments he made on stage at Rolling Loud in Miami. Dua Lipa, a top pop artist who collaborated with DaBaby on their hit song “Levitating” was upset with DaBaby’s remark. Radio stations are still playing “Levitating” but without DaBaby’s rap feature, per Lipa’s request. “I really don’t recognize this as the person I worked with. I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100% with the LGBTQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS,” Lipa wrote on her Instagram story.

  Due to the flashback and criticism on Instagram and Twitter, DaBaby has been removed from various setlists. DaBaby, initially on the headlines for Lollapalooza and KS 107.5 Summer Jam, was told his presence was not welcomed due to his insulting remarks directed towards the LGBTQ+ community. Upcoming music festivals such as Parklife, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Music Midtown, Governors Ball, and others have announced that DaBaby will no longer be making an appearance. 

   Since many Broughton students have DaBaby’s hits on their playlists, I asked fellow students, “Do you think DaBaby should be canceled permanently for his homophobic remarks at Rolling Loud Miami”? Overall, I received a similar consensus on whether his career should be over. “I like DaBaby. I think that he deserves a second chance. The comments weren’t necessarily great. But I think people say things they instantly regret,” senior Elijah Barlett shared. Many other students expressed a similar stance as Elijah. “He said some pretty messed up things, but I’d still listen to his music.” While another student I asked believed he should have consequences for his remarks, but his career shouldn’t be completely over. “I don’t think his career should be completely over,” freshman Lorenzo Tirado stated. Another student believed the controversy actually promoted his career. “I think DaBaby is purely business and I respect his rap game. Any publicity is good publicity,” Broughton junior Henry Dickinson shared.

   It’s safe to say that DaBaby will stay on many Caps’ playlists based on the feedback from many students.