Wale is facing harsh criticism after making the decision to cancel a scheduled performance at an event for D.C.’s gay and lesbian community.
The rapper, who is straight, was scheduled to headline the Legacy Festival and Wellness Expo May 30th for the annual D.C. Black Pride.
He canceled unexpectedly however leading organizers of the event to call foul.
Earl Fowlkes, a D.C. Black Pride board member, is speaking out against Wale and says that he’s homophobic.
He tells Metro Weekly,
”Basically we had an agreement, and we were very clear to the different parties and agents involved that this was an LGBT event. What happened is that when the first blast went out that Wale was going to be at Black Pride he got cold feet, and his agent first said Wale wasn’t available because he had to do family stuff. Then we got another e-mail saying he didn’t know what kind of event this was when he agreed to it.”
Jesse Kirshbaum,a representative for Wale, says those claims are not true however and sent an email obtained by Metro Weekly saying that the rapper:
“Cancelled shows in various markets in May alone due to his extensive spring touring of over 50 shows in March and April,” in an effort to record new music and spend time with his family.”
He does add however that Wale felt like he was mislead saying,
“All of the facts of the event were not disclosed with the offer and therefore, he feels mislead and regretfully declines.”
D.C. Black Pride plans to release an official statement on his cancellation and has hired Jay Holiday to replace him.
