Currently, ASAP Rocky finds himself detained in a Swedish jail cell following his involvement in a street altercation. Here’s the backstory:
ASAP Rocky and his entourage were strolling down the street when they encountered two individuals who began harassing them. Despite ASAP Rocky’s attempts to defuse the situation by asking them to stop following, the individuals persisted, seemingly intent on provoking a confrontation. It appeared their motive was to elicit a physical response from ASAP Rocky or his bodyguard, potentially for the purpose of instigating legal action. Their efforts to antagonize included assaulting ASAP Rocky’s bodyguard with smashed headphones and relentless harassment.
“We’re not interested in engaging in a fight for the cameras. We simply wish to avoid conflict with these individuals. Please, cease following us. We’re unfamiliar with you and have no desire for confrontation. Please, go your own way. We’re asking you to stop following.”
So, you witnessed the altercation where ASAP Rocky and his team were harassed by these individuals. Eventually, tensions escalated and ASAP Rocky responded. However, things took a turn for the worse as he was taken into custody following the altercation and is now facing charges of aggravated assault.
ASAP has been held in jail for two weeks awaiting a decision from the prosecutors regarding the charges against him. According to protocol, any American arrested in Sweden has the right to meet with an official from the US consulate immediately for assistance. However, it was reported that ASAP Rocky’s request to meet with a US official was denied, which constitutes a violation of the treaty between Sweden and the US. This has sparked significant concern.
Furthermore, reports have emerged detailing the dismal conditions of ASAP Rocky’s confinement, including unsanitary surroundings and poor-quality food. Although ASAP and his lawyer have refuted these claims, the situation remains precarious. If convicted, he could potentially face up to six years in prison, although this outcome is not considered likely. The entire saga has garnered attention on social media, particularly within the Black community, where such events are not easily forgotten.
That situation was quite chaotic since it unfolded on camera. Those individuals seemed to be deliberately provoking him, and he responded assertively. Following the incident, many of ASAP Rocky’s colleagues expressed their outrage and even initiated a petition advocating for his release. However, not everyone supported this movement. It’s essential to note that Black Twitter has a long memory. They revisited some of ASAP Rocky’s past controversial statements, particularly from an interview he did with Time Out magazine. In that interview, he made some insensitive remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement. When asked if he felt pressured to engage with social issues, he responded dismissively, stating that he didn’t want to be seen as a political figure. Instead, he wanted to focus on personal topics like his lifestyle, fashion, and experiences. This drew criticism from those who felt he was out of touch with broader social issues, especially given his platform and influence.
Oh goodness, the lack of awareness is astounding. ASAP Rocky faced considerable criticism for those remarks, and he attempted to clarify his stance during an interview at the Oxford Union. “I don’t believe everyone should emulate Kendrick Lamar,” he stated. “Discussing political issues solely for attention isn’t my style. I wasn’t present during those events, nor did I participate in any marches or protests. Thus, I can’t offer insight as I’m not actively contributing to change.” This segment was part of ASAP’s reaction to the controversy surrounding Black women wearing red lipstick.
Some other controversial remarks emerged from him. One instance that drew attention was his comments about Black women, particularly those with darker skin, wearing red lipstick. It slipped my mind until now, but back in 2013, during an interview with Coveteur, he remarked, “Honestly, when it comes to red lipstick, it really depends on your complexion. Let’s be real here. It tends to suit fair-skinned individuals better. Just like how dark-skinned girls might struggle to pull off something like purple lipstick. Honestly, it’s not a good look on anyone. Purple lipstick, seriously, people are like, ‘What’s up with that?’ And as for those dark-skinned women wearing red lipstick, you know, it’s like… Corey cleared up all the confusion around that. It was almost like they won a prize for the most controversial topic. It’s these strange things that create diversity. And you know what? I haven’t had a single white girl complain yet. White roses are fine, but when I mentioned lipstick? Nope, that’s probably… Maybe that’s why Black guys date white girls now. Oh, they do because they’re… They’re more relaxed. They don’t stress over things. What, they don’t want them? Come on, let’s be real. Every girl has her issues.”
Black Twitter didn’t overlook ASAP Rocky’s previous remarks, ensuring they were revisited in the current situation. Consequently, some individuals aren’t particularly sympathetic towards ASAP Rocky due to his prior statements. Crystal, a notable figure from “The Read” podcast, didn’t hold back in referencing Rocky’s past comments regarding the Black Lives Matter movement, stating, “I recalled this when I learned of ASAP Rocky’s predicament in Sweden.” Furthermore, she expressed her stance, declaring, “As for me and my household, we’re still shopping for budget-friendly items at IKEA. We won’t be endorsing any petitions either.”
Joe Budden, a retired rapper, reacted strongly to Crystal’s tweet on his podcast. He expressed his disapproval, stating, “If any of my peers, friends, or even a stranger were in that situation, it’s just disgusting. I’ve seen it circulating on Twitter. Yeah, I’ve seen it. That’s why I had to ask because I noticed a lot of people cheering it on. I’ve noticed her. I won’t mention names, but certain podcast hosts have been vocal about it. It’s like, you… You guys who preach this Pro-Black message, turning evil in an instant. It’s all fake. I thought ASAP Rocky sounded foolish when he said something similar. He’s in a terrible situation, no doubt, but I’m sure some of these sentiments aren’t genuine. And that’s okay. Some people just can’t learn from life’s lessons. Why can’t we allow people to experience life without constantly judging them publicly? It’s not the time. The timing of it all is just tasteless.”
So, is that where your focus lies? Maybe take a moment to delve into your heart and understand its current state. Why does compassion seem lacking when it comes to others? It’s like, why should the contents of others’ hearts dictate the contents of mine?
Recently, Baller Alert shared tweets from Crystal responding to Joe Budden. She quipped, “Laughing my tail off. I know Button is steamed over me and our show. Dude should be grateful I paved the way for him.” Joe Budden retorted, “Your show died long ago, and you’re tangled in bad deals because your business sense is in the trash. But I guess Cooke says.” To which she countered, “I’m not referring to his goofy self on my more successful, longer-running, and more lucrative show coming to TV this fall. He can handle these tweets though.” She also retweeted, “You know what died a long time ago? The baby you beat out of Esther Baxter, but go off, King Jeff.” Quite a chaotic situation.
It’s understandable that opinions on this situation are varied and passionate. People often have strong feelings about issues involving race, justice, and celebrity involvement. In cases like these, where a public figure takes a stand, reactions can be especially mixed.
Some may feel that Rihanna and other celebrities supporting ASAP Rocky are doing so out of solidarity with a fellow artist, while others may criticize their support, citing Rocky’s past comments or behavior. It’s a reminder of the complexities involved when public figures speak out on controversial matters.
Ultimately, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and it’s important for individuals to engage in respectful dialogue, even when they disagree. These discussions can help shed light on different perspectives and contribute to a greater understanding of the issues at hand.
Despite ASAP Rocky’s past ignorant remarks, I find it difficult to justify the situation he’s currently facing. Yet, I acknowledge why some may feel indifferent, given his history of careless statements. It underscores the importance of being mindful of our words, as they can come back to haunt us unexpectedly. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on this matter. Please engage with the comments below, and if you found this discussion valuable, consider liking, commenting, subscribing, and sharing. Thank you for tuning in, and until next time, take care! Goodbye!