For the good, bad, ugly, or downright shocking, 2021 was full of memorable moments!
Now, as the year draws to a close, That Grape Juice is reflecting on the occasions that rocked – and to some degree maybe even reshaped – the Urban and Pop cultural landscape as we know it.
Next, we’re reviewing some of the jaw-dropping incidents that kept DaBaby sitting on top of headlines for the latter half of the year.
Despite the legal and personal woes scattered across his 2020 (see: death of brother, on-and-off-again relationship with singer DaniLeigh, multiple assault allegations, and more), DaBaby still managed to be one of Rap’s hardest workers.
Churning out multiple singles and music videos back to back as well as storming major award show stages, the rapper (born Jonathan Kirk) had quickly built a reputation for being one of music’s most consistent acts. The nod seemed poised to continue well into summer 2021, until the now-30-year-old became embroiled in controversy for delivering what many deemed was a homophobic rant during Rolling Loud Miami festival.
The fallout from the incident was seismic and incited swift denouncement from pronounced LGBTQ activists and allies, including fellow celebrities like Madonna, Dua Lipa, Elton John, and more.
More notably, big brands and festivals that had once endorsed the embattled Hip Hop star began severing ties.
The backlash was only exacerbated at its early stages once the rapper released statements suggesting he didn’t feel any remorse for the comments.
He later backtracked and not only issued multiple apologies, but vowed to work with LGBTQ advocacy groups to educate himself.
By early December (as the hoopla from the backlash had died down), the advocacy group issued a statement indicating DaBaby never donated any money or time to them.
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Despite the damage to his brand, he pressed forward with the release of new music and by announcing a tour thanks to unwavering support from his diehard fans and even some fellow Hip Hop acts like Boosie, Lil Wayne, T.I., Nick Cannon, and more.
But, just as it seemed the drama had ended for the year, in came his baby mama – DaniLeigh.
Here’s hoping 2022 is a little better for Jonathan.