ACL Fest Drops Sunday Headliner DaBaby Following Homophobic Comments

Following a recent controversy over homophobic comments, Austin City Limits Festival dropped DaBaby from its lineup. The rapper was booked to headline both Sundays of the October music fest. On Tuesday morning, the festival wrote, “DaBaby will no longer be performing at Austin City Limits Music Festival – lineup update coming soon.”

The popular artist has also been removed from iHeartRadio Music Festival, Governors Ball, Lollapalooza, and other events following homophobic comments made during a performance last month at Rolling Loud Festival in Miami. Onstage, as later shared in a viral video, DaBaby directed hateful statements towards LBGTQ fans, also inaccurately stating that HIV/AIDS would “make you die in two to three weeks.” The comments drew criticism from stars like Questlove, Elton John, Madonna, and Dua Lipa.

Lollapalooza, which is also staged by local ACL Fest promoters C3 Presents, offered the last-minute replacement of rapper Young Thug.

After initially defending his comments on social media, DaBaby issued an apology on Instagram Monday afternoon following the string of cancellations. The 29-year-old rapper wrote on Instagram: “I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless.”

ACL Fest’s social media post about the lineup change also attracted comments asking about COVID-19 safety protocols at the major gathering, upcoming October 1-3 and 8-10. While Lollapalooza required attendees to show a completed vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours, ACL Fest has yet to announce requirements. On the festival’s information page, ACL says they “have taken enhanced health and safety measures.”

“An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

“By attending ACL Fest, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

“Help keep each other healthy.”