The city of Balimore has declined to pursue legal action against Wale for using profanity at a free family arts festival.
Wale headlined the city-endorsed and sponsored Artscape festival on July 18. From the main stage, Wale performed and occasionally used terms like “in the motherfucking house” whil talking to the crowd. The D.C. rapper also used several other expletives that were included as lyrics in his songs.
Because it was a free family event, Baltimore’s Office of Promotion & the Arts quickly issued a statement advising that they were “deeply disturbed” by the performance and apologized to those that were offended.
The event organizers did not rule out inviting Wale back, but told Balitmore’s Channel 11 WBALTV that they would review their contract specifications to make sure no further misunderstandings happened.
Wale just released his Tiger Woods inspired song “Eyes of the Tiger.” The track will be available on Wale’s August 3 mixtape More About Nothing.
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These days, a rapper that does not curse is almost an oxymoron. But you have to keep in mind that these event organizers may not be that familiar with Hip-Hop music.
Still, if the contract specified no profanity or vulgar material, than Wale dodged a bullet. I doubt they would sue him, probably just not pay him. I didn’t see any young kids in the clip. Teens and adolescents can and have likely heard and seen worse on network TV.
This incident reminds me of when I saw Redman do NBA sponsored show preceding their Atlanta all-star game. Funk Doc actually did a pretty good job of editing himself throughout his set, and you know that took some effort if you’re familiar with Red’s catalogue. But in true Hip-Hop fashion, he had to do what Lauryn Hill spit as “add a motherfucker so the ignorant niggas hear me.”
“No cursing? Fuck that I’m an emcee!” Redman bellowed.
I’m sure a few NBA officials on hand cringed, but the crowd loved it. And it the end, that’s all that matters.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 