Fat Joe Addresses Backlash Over ‘Wuhan Virus’ Line
Fat Joe Addresses Backlash Over ‘Wuhan Virus’ Line! Benny the Butcher unleashed his latest effort, a sequel to The Plugs I Met last Friday (March 19). Even as the album received loads of attention for the chemistry between Benny and Harry Fraud’s, Fat Joe’s guest verse on the track “Talkin’ Back” has been the source of backlash on social media, with many people accusing the rapper of fueling anti-Asian rhetoric.
In what appears like a failed attempt at showcasing his lyrical wit, the rapper circumvented political correctness and found himself delivering an insensitive bar that was ultimately interpreted as promoting anti-Asian rhetoric. “Threw that white up in the pot, gave ‘em pipe dreams/And watch it spread like the Wuhan Virus,” the Bronx native raps.
In the wake of the tragic hate-motivated mass shooting in Atlanta last week targeted at the city’s Asian population which left six women dead, the rapper’s lyrics that could potentially create room for more harassment towards the community was instantly condemned. After catching wind of all the backlash, Joe took to Twitter to clarify that he recorded the verse more than a year ago when media outlets and publications were still referring to COVID-19 as the ‘Wuhan Virus.’ The damage in that term wasn’t seen then until months later.
“I’ll address the Benny verse i did that verse a year ago when the news was calling it the wuhan virus before they called it COVID,” the rap legend wrote. “I support and love all my asian brothers and sisters never hate.”
I’ll adress the Benny verse i did that verse a year ago when the news was calling it the wuhan virus before they called it COVID i support and love all my asian brothers and sisters never hate
— FAT JOE (@fatjoe) March 21, 2021
Though Fat Joe’s explanation seems to make sense, it however still does not fully vindicate the rapper from any wrong doing. Given the rising hate crimes against the East Asian community since the pandemic started, releasing the verse in the prevailing climate was still incredibly harmful.
Hey @fatjoe long time fan here. But given the current climate and how asians are being treated do you think you could've phrased this a little differently?
— ALL THE TABS (@notupstate) March 21, 2021
"Threw that white up in the pot, gave 'em pipe dreams/And watch it spread like the Wuhan virus"
I want to accept this apology but I can't. @fatjoe you couldn't change the line since you recorded it or just not put it out? Do you think it was worth it to keep it and continue the hurtful narrative that asians are to blame for thousands of lives?https://t.co/eJGd3sOTKM
— ALL THE TABS (@notupstate) March 21, 2021
