Photo Credit: Warner Music
Now major radio stations are pulling Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” remix that features DaBaby.
DaBaby has been removed from the line-up of several upcoming music festivals. Now major radio stations are pulling a remix in which he is featured. Billboard reports that the “Levitating” remix with a DaBaby verse has seen a 20% drop in airplay since the controversy broke.
The track was played on 70.2% of radio stations, but that number has dropped to 49.5% in recent weeks. Some stations dropped the song after the artist condemned DaBaby’s comments.
“I’m surprised and horrified at DaBaby’s comments,” Dua Lipa wrote on Instagram. “I really don’t recognize this as the person I worked with. I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100% with the LGBTQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS.”
DaBaby was reluctant to address the controversy online, labeling it ‘weak-ass internet shit.’ But as the rapper began losing stage spots at music festivals like Austin City Limits, iHeartRadio Fest, and Music Midtown – he changed his tune. Hot 97’s Summer Jam still has DaBaby in its line-up, but he may not stay there.
The Dua Lipa and DaBaby remix was released in August 2020. It has remained popular well into 2021, but that may not remain so with reduced airplay. The track currently sits at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time of writing.
Several artists spoke out against the rapper’s remarks, including Elton John and Madonna. Others like rapper T.I. have loudly defended DaBaby, saying he has a right to share his beliefs on stage just like anyone else. But it appears the rapper is facing much the same backlash that Morgan Wallen got for his viral gaffe in February.
Major radio stations reduced spins for the country star for a few months before quietly reinstating him due to fan demand. It’s unclear if DaBaby has a similarly rabid fanbase to request his reinstatement. Since the whole controversy has blown up, the rapper appears to have taken a break from social media.
“Anybody who done ever been effected by AIDS/HIV y’all got the right to be upset, what I said was insensitive even though I have no intentions on offending anybody. So my apologies,” the rapper wrote about his Rolling Loud comments. “But the LGBT community, I ain’t trippin on y’all, do you. Y’all business is y’all business.”
