Last week rapper A$AP Rocky was arrested in Stockholm, Sweden after beating a man for following the rapper and his crew. In a video released after the incident, Rocky is seen making several attempts to stop the unidentified man before the attack took place.
Despite the evidence and claims that his action was that of self-defense, Swedish authorities denied his appeal and are detaining the rapper for at least 2 weeks—in conditions sources close to Rocky are saying are “inhumane”.
While the rapper’s arrest has sparked support from fans and music peers alike, the “One Train” rapper is now receiving some backlash from non-supporters who remember when the rapper turned a blind eye to racial injustices happening here in the states.
Back in 2015, A$AP Rocky did an interview with TimeOut in which he discussed Ferguson, and the rapper’s responsibilities when it came to social activism. Specifically, Rocky was asked whether or not he felt forced to address issues of social injustice.
The rapper’s response was very dispassionate and offended many of Black Twitter especially because around that time, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile lost their lives after violent run-ins with police.
Rocky didn’t do himself any favors when he went on a Twitter rant reiterating his stance that he’s “no politician” and denouncing the issues of police brutality plaguing the black community.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BH5Uhzrh2iw/?utm_source=ig_embed
The “Fashion Killa” also found himself in social media chaos when he gave some commentary on dark-skinned, Black women wearing red lipstick.
“But for real, for me, I feel like with the red lipstick thing it all depends on the pair of complexion. I’m just being for real. You have to be fair skinned to get away with that. Just like if you were to wear like—f*cking for instance, what do dark skin girls have that you know fair skinned girls cant do… Purple lipstick? Naw, that looks stupid on all girls! Purple lipstick, guys! Like, what the f*ck…”
We preach that we should march for and protect black men. But what do we do when those same black men wouldn’t have marched for us?
The rapper now has the Black Twitter community divided, because cancel culture and cancel twitter always keeps the receipts.
https://twitter.com/crissles/status/1148705674374914048
https://twitter.com/deussanguine/status/1148473509422567424
Y’all know what’s ironic? I noticed there are some rappers hollering about racial injustice in Sweden due to ASAP Rocky’s arrest.
I remember quite vividly an interview ASAP did where he said he didn’t feel a need to speak on social issues simply because he’s black.
Well..
— Obviously, you are fired. (@eleven8) July 9, 2019
Black people, to a fault at times, support their own. And eventually, Rocky will be freed.
But this black twitter backlash could serve as a teachable moment for those who believe their financial status makes them immune to problems that were around before they were born.