WATCH: DDG responds to backlash over Martin Luther King Jr. prank – Video
DDG is feeling the heat after his comments about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, civil rights activism that drew the ire of many on Twitter. In an interview with the Bootleg Kev Podcast, which reportedly premiered September 22 on YouTube, DDG was asked about his relationship with vocalist Halle Bailey and the backlash he’s received since the announcement that she’ll be playing Ariel in the new Disney live action version. The little Mermaid. The 2021 XXL Freshman said that Halle Bailey is laughing at the haters but feels they are getting too harsh on her girlfriend. DDG added that the wave of hatred towards his girlfriend Halle Bailey also caught him by surprise.
sometimes i really wish we lived in a less negative world…
-Halle (@HalleBailey) September 24, 2022
Bro you keep bringing up this Valedictorian shit in every video… nobody gives a fuck, that shit was years ago. 😂
— Painful 🥀 (@painnba) September 25, 2022
I didn’t realize people were so racist, he said. I had no idea this was a thing. I thought this shit was gone as of now. I thought Martin Luther King canceled that shit. This shit is crazy. The clip was shared by The Shade Room, which became an internet sensation and sparked a backlash from people who felt DDG was making a mockery of MLK’s legacy. Other people also contemplated whether the Michigan rhymer realized that racism is more common today than at any other time. DDG slipped the comments part of the post to explain his comment in the Bootleg Kev interview. I was the best student in high school, he composed. Obviously mlk doesn’t stop racism…it’s called beautification haha look this is what’s wrong with our people nowadays. We attack each other all day every day and no one else smh. #BLM [black fist emoticon] you all have a blessed [heart emoticon].
DDG receives backlash for pranking Martin Luther King JR. Racism ‘cancelled’
DDG has been held accountable for comments it made about the lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King’s work, which it said were taken inappropriately. During an interview with the Bootleg Kev Podcast, the Detroit local was given the lowdown on her relationship with cheerleader and vocalist Halle Bailey and the recent backlash surrounding her upcoming role as Ariel in the live-action version of Disney’s Little Mermaid. DDG expressed that while Halle will generally avoid the bigoted comments that are being made, she feels that many of the comments go too far. He also commented that the intensity of the reaction took him by surprise. I didn’t realize people were so racist, he said. I had no idea this was a thing. I thought this shit was gone as of now. I thought Martin Luther King canceled that shit. The Shade Room reposted the clip on Instagram accounts, drawing some criticism from some of the outlet’s followers. DDG quickly made a move to explain his statement in a comment section below the post.
During his visit to Bootleg Kev, the 24-year-old artist also shared that he would like some of the naysayers to feel clearly assuming they knew his girlfriend better. It’s hard to be mean to Halle, he explained. She is too sweet and it is really similar to that face to face. Assuming that people have really carved out the opportunity to understand who is really playing the Little Mermaid instead of saying that she is black. I think they’ll say, ‘I’m going crazy.’ Since they confirmed their relationship in March with a romantic birthday greeting on Instagram accounts, DDG has been extremely open about his support and admiration for Grown-ish artists. In July, he admitted how motivating he finds Halle during an interview with DJ Akademiks’ Off The Record podcast.
Brother, let it go and make better comments in the future. And from a PR perspective, this speech doesn’t make sense because it doesn’t counter the fact that you’re somewhat incongruous.
In fact, he was so surprised because the public expected a more intelligent response.
— Your Fairy Godfather – William P. James △⃒⃘ ⚯͛✨ (@iwilliampj_) September 25, 2022
You have to call things by their name. DDG might not be dumb, but those words were sheer stupidity and basically a slap in the face for black people. Know very well that MLK does not cancel racism.
— Shamon🃏 (@CallMeThePilot) September 25, 2022
