The Canadian rapper slams claims he told a Muslim fan to remove her hijab at a show as a “fake media report.”
Drake has denied accusations of Islamophobia after footage emerged online that allegedly showed the Canadian rapper telling a Muslim fan at his London O2 Arena show to remove her hijab. In the video, Drake can be heard telling four female concert-goers: “You got on that hot ass scarf right there, you gon’ have to take this off. You gotta turn this muthafucka up. You don’t have to come out with that shit.” However, there has been no confirmation that any of the women – who are not visible in the video – are Muslim.
In a statement issued to XXL last night (February 10), Drake has called the claims “devastating” and a “fake media report,” while stressing how proud he is that his closest friends and fans “come from all different religions and races.”
“I make a point every night to end my shows on a time of unity and love, so to find out that I am being utilized in a fake media story about me disrespecting Muslims is devastating to me,” Drake said in the statement.
“I was talking to four women, one of whom was wearing a jacket and a winter scarf. I made a comment about taking off the scarf because I enjoy a friendly banter with the fans,” he explained. “I am well aware of what a hijab is and I would never make a disrespectful comment like that in my life towards someone who is wearing one.”
He added: “I am proud that my closest friends and fans come from all different religions and races, perhaps whoever made up this story should spend more time learning about other cultures and less time trying to divide us.”
On stage in London earlier this week, Drake made a politicized statement where he appeared to denounce Trump: “For some reason in my room, they got the TV set to CNN. Every day I wake up, I see this bullshit going on in the world. People trying to tear us apart, trying to make us turn against each other.”
He continued: “So tonight, my proudest moment isn’t selling tickets or having people sing my songs. My proudest moment, if you take a look around this room, you’ll see people from all races, all places, and all we did tonight was come inside this building, show love, celebrate life, more life and more music. And I just want you to understand, if you ever thought for one second that any one man is gonna tear this world apart, you’re out of your motherfucking mind. It’s on us to keep this shit together. Fuck that man!”
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