Vic Mensa has often demonstrated his zero tolerance attitude when it comes to racism and injustices against black and brown people. Recently, the “Down On My Luck” rapper shared his ideals about cultural appropriation on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. In June, Mensa’s “Shades of Blue” a cappella video released by Genius called attention to the racial undertone of the water crisis in Flint, Mich.
Today (July 8) Mensa did his part to remind businesses that his presence is a privilege. Populux, a Detroit venue where the Roc Nation signee was scheduled to perform later this month, published a racist tweet following the mass shooting that occurred during a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas and took the lives of five police officers. Mensa caught word of the tweet and followed up with a tweet of his own canceling his performance at their establishment.
Will not be performing at @PopuluxDetroit on #BackWithAVengeance due to the racist comments they tweeted yesterday. pic.twitter.com/6IUyYzEly2
— still alive (@VicMensa) July 8, 2016
Some fans were upset that Mensa canceled his show, but the majority of fans that responded to the bold move expressed pride that the rapper stood up for his beliefs and the Black Lives Matter movement.
@VicMensa @PopuluxDetroit Never change Vic
— Almighty So (@banji85) July 8, 2016
Respect @VicMensa
— Rob Curly (@robcurlymusic) July 8, 2016
@VicMensa @PopuluxDetroit pic.twitter.com/aEwC7wNHT3
— SupersayainLesbien (@SuperSayianlesi) July 8, 2016
Although the “There’s Alot Going On” rapper doesn’t condone the venue’s tweet blaming the Black Lives Matter movement for the deaths of the officers in Dallas, he does not approve of the uprising of violence in D-Town either.
STOP KILLING INNOCENT COPS. THATS NOT THE ANSWER. WE WANT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE CRIMINALS AMONGST THEM. LETS ORGANIZE. BE BACK SOON – VIC
— still alive (@VicMensa) July 8, 2016
We need organization. Huey, Malcolm & Martin didn’t accomplish change by senseless violence. They didn’t all turn the other cheek either.
— still alive (@VicMensa) July 8, 2016
Populux has since deleted the offensive tweet and released apology statements on both Twitter and Facebook. They claim their account was hacked.
We sincerely apologize about the views expressed in some tweets that went out last night. Our account was hacked.
— Populux (@PopuluxDetroit) July 8, 2016