Kid Cudi has removed M.I.A. from his Rebel Ragers Tour following backlash over comments she made during a recent performance that angered parts of the crowd.
The decision came after a May 2 show in Dallas, where M.I.A., whose real name is Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, made remarks about immigration and her own political identity that drew a strong reaction from audience members. During her set, she told the crowd, “I’ve been canceled for many reasons. I never thought I would be canceled for being a brown Republican voter,” and also referenced one of her songs by saying she couldn’t perform it because “some of you could be in the audience.”
Following the performance, criticism quickly spread online, with some attendees and commenters accusing her of making offensive statements. The backlash prompted Cudi to take action, announcing her removal from the tour in a statement shared on social media.
“TOUR UPDATE: M.I.A is no longer on this tour,” Cudi wrote. “I told my management to send a notice to her team before we started tour that I didn’t want anything offensive at my shows… After the last couple shows, I’ve been flooded with messages from fans that were upset by her rants. This… is very disappointing.”
M.I.A. responded publicly, pushing back against the criticism and defending her remarks. She said her comments were tied to her past work and artistic themes, including songs she released more than a decade ago addressing immigration and identity.
“I WROTE ‘ILLEGAL’… BEFORE YOU THOUGHT IMMIGRANT RIGHTS WERE COOL,” she wrote, accusing critics of misrepresenting her words. She also emphasized that she has long spoken on immigration issues and does not need validation from current political trends.
In follow-up posts, M.I.A. noted that she is British and cannot vote in U.S. elections, arguing that the backlash was overblown and driven by misunderstanding. She called for unity and criticized what she described as divisive reactions.
M.I.A., who gained international fame with hits like “Paper Planes,” has become increasingly outspoken on political and cultural issues in recent years. She has also spoken about her Christian faith, which she says has influenced her perspective and public messaging.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the music industry as artists navigate political expression in front of diverse audiences, particularly during live performances where reactions can be immediate and intense.
The post Kid Cudi Drops M.I.A. From Tour After Statement On Illegals appeared first on Real News Now.
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