Organizers of D’ussé Palooza, a traveling hip-hop party, said they are parting ways with one of their hosts after sexual assault allegations against him flooded social media on Monday. Several women took to Twitter to recount their harrowing experiences with New York native Chris Stylezz who is associated with the national party brand.
Previously operating under the name Henny Palooza, the group entered into a partnership with D'ussé and Roc Nation — both owned by Jay-Z — and ultimately changed their name, according to Forbes.
Cheyenne Skyy, a woman accusing the former party host of sexual misconduct, told Blavity in an interview she first met Stylezz in the spring of 2018. While at an event, Skyy said the two exchanged phone numbers and had been in contact with each other. The two met up again one night in April, which Skyy detailed in a series of tweets on Monday.
“The night in question he picked up me and my homegirl to go to a bar/club in LES,” Skyy wrote. “We get in the car and he’s immediately on 12. Kissing me. Trying to pull at my clothes. Trying to get me to give him head while he’s driving. ‘Come on. Just kiss it.’”
Imma only speak on my story ONE TIME.
And i don’t give a FUCK what y’all got to say about it: pic.twitter.com/TLDctOYJlv— Chey the Shooter ???? (@CheyMillz) April 27, 2020
In her tweets, the photographer said she turned down Stylezz’s advances to have sex with her, responding “absolutely not” after he asked her “so we not f**king tonight?”
After refusing to have sex, Skyy recalled being left “on a random street corner in the middle of Brooklyn at 3am.”
On Wednesday, Skyy told Blavity she felt compelled to share her story after being empowered by another victim and her support system. This decision did not come without some distress, but she said after talking with other victims of Stylezz and learning their stories she wanted to speak up in hopes of inspiring others to do the same.
Separately, a Twitter user posted about having two close friends confide in her and share their sexual misconduct allegations against the former party host.
I’ve had a few close friends and 2 followers tell me about uncomfortable situations with Chris Stylez pulling out his penis on them in a public setting or touching them inappropriately.
— Embezzleth Taylor (@AllyMcBands) April 27, 2020
Multiple women have since posted to Twitter sharing their encounters with Stylezz.
This wasn’t easy to do, but it had to be done. I hope any other girl out there can come forward and get the help they may need. pic.twitter.com/PTnEi0oyMK
— ari (@arieetalia) April 28, 2020
My friend doesn’t have twitter but wanted to add to the conversation about her experience. ???? pic.twitter.com/wwqfQxW2dR
— ???? Stina Snow (@XoXoEstina) April 27, 2020
Stories of women experiences with Christylezz that with reason, did not want to be harassed: pic.twitter.com/GnG5GjsCGk
— Venting with a Venti (@ventingconventi) April 28, 2020
However, despite Skyy being confident in her support system of Black women to help her get through sharing her experience, she was slammed with negative comments from other Black women placing blame on her.
“I’ve gotten more support and well wishes and DMs from other victims which has been beautiful, but the other half of it has been disappointing because I’ve been attacked by Black women,” Skyy told Blavity.
“That’s my tribe [Black women]. So to have so many Black women assume it’s my fault for not calling an Uber has been a different type of hurt,” she added. “It’s like asking a Black man ‘Well why didn’t you comply with the officer?’”
Shortly after the allegations came to light, D’ussé Palooza organizers tweeted they were parting ways with Stylezz and conducting an internal investigation.
We are aware of the allegation made against one of our staff members. We are currently conducting an internal investigation around this allegation. Until the investigation has been concluded, that staff member has been placed on indefinite leave
— Dusse Palooza (@DussePalooza) April 27, 2020
With that said, we have always made safety for our consumers, talent and staff our top priority. We pride ourselves in creating a very safe and enjoyable environment for all. That will remain our focus moving forward into our future shows and events.
— Dusse Palooza (@DussePalooza) April 27, 2020
On Tuesday night, Stylezz went on Instagram Live to address the allegations, Vulture reported.
During his livestream, Stylezz admitted to disrespecting women but denied allegations of rape.
“If I ever raped anybody, please bring me to justice,” he said on Instagram Tuesday night. “I’m owning up to the many women. I’m owning up to disrespecting them. But I’m not owning up to forcing them to do things and I would never own up to forcing myself into them.”
Skyy says his statements did not go far enough.
“I refuse to call that an apology," she told Blavity. "He didn’t apologize for his actions."
The founder of D'ussé Palooza, Kameron McCollough, tweeted his condolences to the women, according to Essence.
“I’m shocked and appalled at what I’ve discovered over the past 30 hours. My heart goes out to all of the women affected. Women should never be made to feel unsafe, coerced or pressured to do anything they don’t want to do,” he posted to his Twitter page which has since been made private.
McCullough is also facing allegations of sexual misconduct. A woman on Instagram recalled an encounter with him after a party where he pulled her shirt down.
"He gave me a hug with one arm. It was awkward and I didn't think much of it initially until he used his other hand to pull up my crop top and expose my breasts!" she wrote. "I was so embarrassed and scared."
Blavity reached out to D'ussé Palooza, however, the organization declined to comment further.