Update (March 22, 2019): Singer Daniel Caesar apologized via Instagram Live after he found himself lecturing Black people last week.
The 23-year-old Toronto native admitted he was in the wrong for “talking down” to the community, whom he affectionately refers to as "you guys."
“I expressed my opinion in a very pretentious and um, I was talking down to you guys. I apologize for how I expressed my idea. That is where I went wrong,” Caesar said. “I believe in what I said. As a man, I just need to admit when I’m wrong. I can admit when I’m wrong.”
Daniel Caesar apologizes for comments he made during his IG live rant. pic.twitter.com/T8L11qq3G9
— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) March 24, 2019
According to Uproxx, activist Deray Mckesson spoke with Caesar on Thursday. He said the “Best Part” singer still needs to gain an understanding of systematic racism and “has more work to do.”
“We had a frank convo about how his statements disappointed many, reinforced a set of beliefs that did not aid the work of racial equity, & highlighted opportunities to learn,” McKesson tweeted. “We were both pushed in the convo & it was good. I look forward to seeing him continue to reflect/grow.”
We had a frank convo about how his statements disappointed many, reinforced a set of beliefs that did not aid the work of racial equity, & highlighted opportunities to learn. We were both pushed in the convo & it was good. I look forward to seeing him continue to reflect/grow.
— deray (@deray) March 21, 2019
Caesar continued his mini-speech by apologizing for the way his words “were coming off,” not for the actual statement.
“Me and my friends agree with this sentiment, there was no one there to challenge my ideas. It was a very tyrannical rant,” he continued. “Me and my dogs, we agreed with our sentiment. We didn’t realize how harshly we were coming off.”
As Blavity previously reported, Caesar came under fire for an Instagram live rant in which he called Black people “sensitive” in defense of known culture vulture and radio personality, YesJulz. The Miami-based host posted a photo Twitter asking users if she should rock a t-shirt emblazoned with “N****s lie a lot” across the chest.
You deleted the tweet, but screenshots are forever, dumb ass. @YesJulz
pic.twitter.com/cucdwcAKhV— Auntieana (@thejournalista) May 5, 2017
"Why are we being so mean to Julz?" Caesar said. "Why are we being so mean to white people right now? It's a serious question. Why is that we're allowed to be disrespectful and rude to everybody else, and when anybody returns that energy to us. I don’t want to be treated like I can’t take a joke!"
The comments rightfully caused an uproar among the Black community, including rapper Waka Flocka who called him “stupid” and said, “he shouldn’t talk about Black people.”
According to the young recording artist, it hurt his ego to extend an apology.
“This is hurting my ego right now – I don’t like apologizing because I feel like I’ve been doing it for so long,” Caesar added.
Is this is his way of saying sorry to the Black community?
If so, he definitely has a lot of growing to do.
Original story: Twitter is calling for the cancellation of singer Daniel Caesar after the "Get You" crooner decided it was a great idea to diss his entire race on Instagram Live.
Caesar, who was born Ashton Simmonds, went on the social media outlet while admittedly being "drunk as f**k" to discuss the recent backlash surrounding radio personality YesJulz.
Yes Julz Says @ScottieBeam & @KarenCivil’s Name ???? pic.twitter.com/atoT36Nxxa
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blogggg) March 11, 2019
In a recent interview, the Miami-based host, who is widely believed to be a culture vulture, distanced herself from music industry peers Karen Civil and Scottie Beam, saying her interests don't match theirs thus the controversy surrounding her hosting of the recent Rolling Loud Festival is unnecessary.
Following the commentary, Twitter was quick to come to the defense of the veteran journalists and chastised Julz for coming after Black women, primarily because she has been known to make disparaging comments about them in the past.
Why she ain’t talking about white folks like this? All these shady ass white ppl in our spaces and she got the nerve to come for the black ones??! It wouldn’t exist without the black folks. And they enabling her.
— One Punch PUSSY (@KatHeartwell) March 11, 2019
@YesJulz you don’t know why right? We don’t have valid reasons right? You gaslighting black women just as a white woman would right? pic.twitter.com/ZPkpoUQxnW
— ✨ (@lookatmyora) March 11, 2019
Despite Google being free, Caesar still couldn't figure out why the Black community isn't so quick to extend Julz an invitation to the cookout and let his thoughts be known to the masses, all the while admitting he was intoxicated during the taping of his "public service announcement."
"Why are we being so mean to Julz?" the 23-year-old pondered on camera. "Why are we being so mean to white people right now? It's a serious question. Why is that we're allowed to be disrespectful and rude to everybody else, and when anybody returns that energy to us. I don’t want to be treated like I can’t take a joke!"
After the comments poured in answering his question, Caesar instead doubled down of his defense of the white community in his commentary.
"White people have been mean to us in the past, yeah, but what are you going to do about it? Tell me what you’re going to do about that?" he questioned again. "There's no answer, other than creating and understanding and keeping it moving. You have to bridge that gap."
"Are we winning right now as a culture?" the singer said, continuing his stream of inquiries. "Are we on top as a society? We're not. And you can't win the game by choosing to not accept the winning team's strategy. You have to acknowledge the strategy and then build a strategy on top of that." He then adds: "Being a victim doesn't get you paid."
Those comments didn't sit well with the folks over on Twitter, who dragged the "Best Part" singer by his questionable blonde hair dye.
To quote your song, Daniel, "Who Hurt You?"
Table full of boys knowing he was drunk and not one of them snatched his phone and ended this monstrosity. You need new friends, @DanielCaesar. This is on top of all the ignorant things you said. https://t.co/fqPYSYCUSl
— April (@ReignOfApril) March 20, 2019
I shoulda known Daniel Caesar would cape for a white woman after he said strippers in New Orleans don't shake booty like Priscilla do.
That's a white woman name. pic.twitter.com/clNnfrhJok
— 3-23-91/CM Ratchet/3-6 Mafia (@SkywalkersView) March 20, 2019
Somebody tell Daniel Caesar pic.twitter.com/Et7gEst3tP
— Drew Burroughs (@CoolerthanUDrew) March 20, 2019
“Cancel me. Make me broke”. – Daniel Caesar
Black Twitter:
pic.twitter.com/Ge88FWbQsW— DJ Heat (@DJHeatDC) March 20, 2019
daniel caesar is kinda like…
those kids who were bullied by their own race so they side with the others because of trauma or whatever.
— Xavier D'Leau (@XavierDLeau) March 20, 2019
Daniel Caesar is morphing into Uncle Ruckus before our eyes pic.twitter.com/8ZQvNQarzq
— World Wide Wavy ???? (@Gov_Jo_204) March 20, 2019
Please stop turning your back on the same audience that championed you.
— Are You Valet? (@ScottieBeam) March 20, 2019
Caesar even welcomed the possibility of a cancellation.
"Cancel me. Make me broke…Don't listen to my next s**t if you think I'm s**t…Make me suffer for my opinion. I believe in it," he added.
This incident marks the second week in a row that Caesar has found himself in the spotlight for comments made by or about him. Uproxx writes the Canadian-born artist was the punchline of a Dave Chappelle joke last week in which the comedian called Caesar "very gay."
Watch the full video below.
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