Boohoo drops collection with DaBaby over homophobic rant
Fast fashion retailer BoohooMAN has confirmed it has removed its latest collection with music artist DaBaby and ceased a relationship following his homophobic rant during a festival.
DaBaby has faced massive backlash after making the remarks about gay people and those living with HIV/AIDS during his performance at the Rolling Loud Festival on 25 July.
During the show, he said: “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two, three weeks, then put your cellphone light up.”
He continued: “Ladies, if your p***y smell like water, put a cellphone light them up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d**k in the parking lot put your cellphone light up. Keep it real.”
Last month, BoohooMAN launched a limited-edition 100 piece collaboration with DaBaby, co-created by the rapper over virtual meetings between Charlotte, North Carolina and Manchester, England.
Boohoo has now withdrawn any promotion for the collection, including on its ecommerce site and social media.
In a statement published on social media, Boohoo said: “BoohooMAN condemn the use of homophobic language and confirm we will no long be working with DaBaby.
“Diversity and inclusion are part of the Boohoo Groups DNA and we pride ourselves on representing the diverse customers we serve across the globe.
“We stand by and support the LGBT+ community, and do not tolerate hate speech or discrimination in any form.”
boohooMAN condemn the use of homophobic language and confirm we will no longer be working with DaBaby.
Diversity and inclusion are part of the boohoo Groups DNA and we pride ourselves on representing the diverse customers we serve across the globe.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/C2BLYFwwaN
— boohooMAN (@boohooMAN) July 28, 2021
On Monday, DaBaby attempted to defend his homophobic rant from the day before via Instagram Stories, in which he said the backlash was a “weak ass internet issue” and that none of his gay fans are living with HIV or AIDS.
“They don’t got AIDS, my gay fans, they take care of themselves, they ain’t no nasty gay n****s, they ain’t no junkies.”
The online fashion giant is known for its support for the LGBTQ+ community, having released a unisex Pride capsule collection last month, focusing on a message of standing together and united.
10% of the proceeds from the 2021 Pride Collection are donated in support of It Gets Better Project, a non-profit organisation with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.
