Ask Onix
Kid Cudi drops M.I.A. from Rebel Ragers tour over offensive comments
Grammy-winning rapper Kid Cudi has removed singer M.I.A. from his ongoing Rebel Ragers tour following backlash over remarks she made during a Dallas performance that left fans upset.
What sparked the decision
During a support slot at the Dallas show on May 2, M.I.A. faced immediate boos from the audience after suggesting her song Illygal, which addresses the struggles of undocumented migrants, might resonate with some concertgoers. Videos circulating online capture the moment she stated, "I never thought I would be canceled for being a brown Republican voter."
Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, took to Instagram to address the fallout. He revealed he had received numerous messages from fans expressing discomfort with M.I.A.'s statements. In his post, he called the situation "very disappointing" and emphasized that he had explicitly asked her team to avoid divisive topics before the tour began.
"I made it clear I didn't want anything offensive,"
Kid Cudi
He added that he believed M.I.A.'s management had understood his concerns.
M.I.A.'s response and history of controversy
M.I.A., born Mathangi Arulpragasam, later clarified on X that she is not eligible to vote in the U.S., despite previously identifying as a Republican supporter. The London-born artist, known for her politically charged music and unconventional views, has frequently sparked debate throughout her career.
In a follow-up post, she defended her song Illygal, writing, "I wrote this before you thought immigrant rights were cool." She added, "I've had these battles myself without the help of millions of fans backing me. I don't need this virtue signal era to all of a sudden erase an entire life I've led."
Past controversies
M.I.A. rose to fame in 2008 with her hit Paper Planes, which earned a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year. She also received an Oscar nomination for O... Saya, from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. However, her outspoken views have often drawn criticism.
In 2020, she faced backlash after stating she would "take death" over receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Though she later clarified she was not anti-vaccine but opposed pharmaceutical industry profits, the comments fueled ongoing debates about her stance on public health.
Last year, she launched a clothing line featuring designs purported to shield wearers from Wi-Fi and 5G signals, a claim scientists have widely dismissed as baseless. She has also publicly expressed support for former U.S. President Donald Trump, further polarizing her fanbase.
What's next for the tour
Kid Cudi's Rebel Ragers tour continues without M.I.A., though no replacement act has been announced. The rapper has not commented further on the situation since his initial Instagram post.
