DaBaby’s Apology for Homophobic Comments Has Been Removed From His Instagram Account

The formal apology DaBaby issued to the LGBTQ+ community earlier this week on Instagram — in which he addressed the homophobic remarks he made at Rolling Loud Miami — is no longer there.

As of Sunday (Aug. 8), those following DaBaby on social media noticed that his post that had been originally dated Aug. 2 appeared to be deleted from his account. It remains unclear why the post was removed.

Billboard reached out to a representative for DaBaby for comment.

In the post, the rapper had said, “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.”

“Social media moves so fast that people want to demolish you before you even have the opportunity to grow, educate, and learn from your mistakes,” he wrote in the now-removed note. “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. I appreciate the many people who came to me with kindness, who reached out to me privately to offer wisdom, education, and resources. That’s what I needed and it was received.”

The controversy began during DaBaby’s set at Rolling Loud in Miami on July 25.

While onstage, he said to the crowd, “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cell phone lighter up. Ladies, if your p—- smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d— in the parking lot, put your cell phone lighter up.”

In the aftermath of his comments, DaBaby was dropped from several events, including Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, Austin City Limits, Day N Vegas, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Music Midtown Festival and a concert organized by Working Families Party.

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Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion Celebrate One Year of ‘WAP’ by Contemplating Another Collab

“WAP” was released exactly a year ago, and Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion both seem to be more than willing to get together for another collaboration.

The pair celebrated the anniversary of their hit song on Twitter Saturday evening (Aug. 7).

“Wow I can’t believe wappity WAP turned one today. It don’t even feel like it. What a record! @theestallion we should do it again sometime,” Cardi tweeted.

“Happy WAPIVERSARY,” Megan replied. “Thank you for having me.”

And while there has been no word on whether this will actually happen, she teased (much to the delight of fans), “I think the people deserve another collab.”

“WAP” arrived on Aug. 7, 2020, racking up a massive 93 million streams in just its first week of release and blasting onto the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart at No. 1.

See their tweets and watch the “WAP” music video below.

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Queen’s Brian May Comments on Eric Clapton’s ‘Different Views,’ Calls Anti-Vaxxers ‘Fruitcakes’

Queen’s Brian May shared some thoughts about Eric Clapton, who recently said he will not play any live shows that require attendees to show proof that they’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine.

In July, Clapton made it clear that he won’t grace “any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”

“I love Eric Clapton,” May said in an interview with The Independent published on Saturday (Aug. 7). “He’s my hero, but he has very different views from me in many ways. He’s a person who thinks it’s OK to shoot animals for fun, so we have our disagreements, but I would never stop respecting the man.”

“Anti-vax people, I’m sorry, I think they’re fruitcakes,” May added.

Clapton previously said he feared he would “never play again” after receiving both doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Meanwhile, May — who says he’s become a bit of a “health and exercise addict” after suffering a heart attack and having three stents put in, in May 2020 — supports the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.

“There’s plenty of evidence to show that vaccination helps,” he noted. “On the whole they’ve been very safe. There’s always going to be some side effect in any drug you take, but to go around saying vaccines are a plot to kill you, I’m sorry, that goes in the fruitcake jar for me.”

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5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (August 7)

From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Latin Music Week panels

This week, Billboard unveiled some of the panels to take place at the 2021 Latin Music Week returning to Miami from September 20-24. ​​ Cuban artist/activist Yotuel Romero, Puerto Rican star Kany García and ChocQuibTown members (and husband and wife) Goyo and Tostao will be part of “My Cause, My Music: A Conversation on Social Justice,” where they will discuss the role of artists in social justice movements and the advantages and pitfalls their involvement presents in their respective careers. ​​​​Puerto Rican sensation Lunay, known for bops like “Soltera,” “La Cama” and the Anitta-assisted “Todo o Nada,” will join longtime producers Chris Jedi and Gaby Music to form part of “Making the Hit, Live,” a masterclass where Latin Music Week attendees can see how they craft a song in real-time. And Corridos tumbados artist Natanael Cano, sibling duo Los Dos Carnales and Mexican singer-songwriter Carin Leon will be part of “Regional No More – Mexican Music Goes Global,” a conversation on the globalization of regional Mexican music. The panel will be moderated by Jimmy Humilde, founder and CEO of indie label Rancho Humilde. For registration and more information, visit www.billboardlatinmusicweek.com.

Camilo and LaLiga Unite for Soccer

LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank are kicking off their 2021-2022 season on Aug. 13 with the help of Camilo. Together, they teamed up for a soccer-infused version of Camilo’s summer hit “KESI” called “KESI La Liga Version Oficial” to celebrate fans returning to stadiums across Spain. “It’s a dream come true for me to be involved in the LaLiga song for the 2021/22 season. This is the first tour of my life and the first concerts have been in Spain, a country that has really made me feel at home,” the Colombian singer-songwriter said in a statement. “Music and football are one; the passion of singing a song and celebrating a goal goes beyond the rational. It makes you connect with the here and now and completely forget everything else. It’s a magical moment.”

Ozuna Bahama Fest

Ozuna has announced the debut of his Ozuna Fest Bahamas in partnership with travel company Pollen. Taking place from December 2-6 at Atlantis Bahamas, the festival will include full resort accommodations, pool parties, exclusive club events, and many more activities. Besides headliner Ozuna, the confirmed lineup is Alex Sensation, Blessd, Caleb Calloway, Dimelo Flow, DJ Adoni, Emilia, Jhay Cortez, Lunay, Major Lazer, Sound System, Mora, Sech, and Tiago PZK. For tickets and more information, visit here.

Sia Recruits Sofia Reyes and Yandel

Sia has dropped a new version of her “1+1” bop, recruiting Mexican pop star Sofia Reyes and Puerto Rican artist Yandel for a Latin remix helmed by Banx & Ranx. Reyes first gave Billboard the exclusive of this major collaboration at the 2021 Premios Juventud carpet. “They just gave me the news and it makes me want to cry every time I think about it,” she said. “I’ll be part of a new song with Sia and Yandel. This is very powerful and I’m very excited.” This isn’t the first time Sia teams up with Latin artists to drop bilingual tracks. Previously, she joined forces with Ozuna and Doja Cat on “Del Mar.”

La Gabi Makes Her Grand Debut

Dominican newcomer La Gabi presents her debut EP, Origen, home to seven tracks that best showcases her versatile musical proposal. Born Gabriela Guaba, La Gabi is an 18-year-old rapper who, thanks to her sick freestyles and crisp voice, landed on J Balvin’s radar and is now one of his signed artists on his Ma G Nation Label. Balvin revealed that he discovered Gabi on social media after she covered his songs. Up next, the emerging artist will hit up many important festivals including Baja Beach Fest, CDMC Flow Fest, and J Balvin’s Neón Fest in Las Vegas and Punta Cana. Listen to her EP below.

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Jessie J Apologizes to Nicki Minaj Over ‘Bang Bang’ Mixup Seven Years After the Song’s Release

Seven years after the Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj collab “Bang Bang” popped on the charts, the trio’s song is making headlines again.

It turns out that Jessie J and Nicki Minaj remember the beginnings of the superstar single a little differently, and Minaj called out Jessie J’s version of the story — which the singer had discussed in a recent interview with Glamour — on Friday (Aug. 6).

As Jessie J recalled, “Nicki was played it in the studio and was like, ‘I’ve got to jump on this.’ We didn’t go to her and ask; she wanted to do it.”

But according to Minaj, who responded to Jessie J’s quotes on Thursday with a correction, “I didn’t hear the song & ask 2get on it.”

“The label asked me2get on it & paid me,” Minaj tweeted. “How would I have heard the song? Chiiille what am I the damn song monitor? Snoopin around for songs chile? This was said by another artist recently as well. Yall gotta stop. LoveU.”

For what it’s worth, Minaj did want to get on Jessie J’s “Do It Like a Dude” after catching it on the radio. “but the worst part about this no1EVER asked me,” she tweeted with laughing face emojis. “I have been obsessed with that song since the min I heard it.”

On Friday, Jessie apologized to Minaj over the confusion about how “Bang Bang” — which peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 2014 and was nominated for a Grammy — came to be with a meme-filled, lengthy post on Instagram, writing, “I respect you publicly being yourself @nickiminaj.”

“So here I am being myself,” she continued. “This is a video of me back in 2015 on stage taking the piss out of myself which is basically an hour of my set. It was made into a meme about 2 weeks ago. Is that what this is really about? And where this weird energy between us began? Or maybe it was when you used me as a stair rail at the AMAs. That was also funny af.”

“If we can’t laugh in the lives we have been blessed with. What’s the point. It really isn’t that deep,” added Jessie.

“From the moment I met you to now I have shown you nothing but love and gratitude for how f—ing blessed I was to have you and @arianagrande who btw wrote Bang Bang with the insanely talented Max Martin which I found out today. Jesus. What a day. Sorry Ari. I never knew. Wild. I felt like I had won a competition did back then and still do now. I’m the first person to admit Bang Bang would NEVER have been what it was without you guys,” she said.

“I’m sorry I got the story wrong all these years,” she noted. “I was told you heard the song and wanted to be on it by someone clearly gassing me up at the label. (Bless them and my naive a–) Thank you for clarifying I was wrong on that and Do it like dude. Told me huh.”

“What a way for us to celebrate the 7 year anniversary of the song. Should we all go for dinner? No… Probably not right.. Too soon? Bang bang part two?… No…. Ok got it. Do it like a dude remix? Ok. I’ll stop,” she wrote.

“Look, the song did it’s damn thing,” said Jessie. “I will never say you asked to be on the song ever again. Although all this drama means memes and man have the memes of me have kept me entertained all day.”

As of press time, Grande, who’s taking over Fortnite and celebrating her husband’s birthday this weekend, has not yet joined 2021’s “Bang Bang” conversation.

See Minaj’s tweets embedded below, and head over to Instagram to check out Jessie J’s post on the topic.

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