Chance The Rapper recently hosted the Black Star Line Festival in Ghana. During the festival, he faced backlash for comedian Dave Chappelle's involvement, whose jokes were labeled as homophobic.
Chicago rapper Chance The Rapper recently finished hosting the first Black Star Line Festival in Ghana. According to Rolling Stone, one part of the festival was met with controversy after Dave Chappelle made an appearance for a comedic set.
Dave Chappelle’s “Sticks & Stones” Controversy
The “No Brainer” rapper hosted the festival along with friend and fellow Chicago rapper Vic Mensa, where they invited Dave Chappelle to perform a comedic set during the festival, which later sparked controversy. Ghana has an anti-LGBTQ bill that criminalizes queer and intersex identity.
In 2019, Chappelle released his comedy special Sticks & Stones, which was labeled as homophobic and anti-transgender due to some of the jokes he made. In fact, Chappelle’s event with star producer Pharrell was canceled in Virginia due to the controversy of the stand-up special.
Ghana residents viewed Chappelle’s appearance as support for the anti-gay image of Ghana. Prior to the festival, a Twitter user tweeted their feelings about other problems in the country.
In a statement, Chance responded to the criticism, saying, “I wanted everyone to feel as welcome and communal as possible,” the 29-year-old rapper said. “And also, if having Dave there made people feel like they weren’t, or that they didn’t have space or that they were not welcome, that was not my intention.”
Chance The Rapper has not commented on whether the next Black Star Line Festival in Ghana will be affected by Chappelle’s appearance.
DaBaby Reveals He Lost A Burger King Deal Over Rolling Loud Comments
Last July, Charlotte rapper DaBaby revealed on the Full Send podcast that he lost a Burger King endorsement due to his comments deemed as homophobic at his 2021 Rolling Loud performance.
The comments DaBaby made were labeled as homophobic and anti-transgender.