By Mona Austin
Under the leadership of P. Diddy, EP and host of the 2022 Billboard Awards, a country singer who used the n-word and a rapper deemed culpable in the Astro World concert tragedy were allowed to participate in the show.
Diddy ran the "Club Love" themed show off-script but made certain deliberate decisions ahead of time that came under scrutiny. He relaxed "unwritten rules" to include Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen as performers. He exercised grace toward the artists who were both tied to controversies in 2021. Days before in a pre-show interview the host said he was "un-cancelling the cancelled." Cancel culture -- or mass social pressure or disapproval -- has been known to end peoples careers.
"Love is about forgiveness. This being a night of love, I am uncancelling the cancelled," he tells his own REVOLT-TV exclusively. "I think it's very wrong for people to cancel people. Things happen in life that you can't control. People make mistakes. Accidents happen and people deserve a second chance," the entertainment boss said.
P DIDDY EXPLAINS WHY HE ALLOWED TAINTED ARTISTS TO PERFORM ON THE BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS
Many people online found it offensive or hypocritical when Diddy honored Tamika Mallory, a Black activist and spoke out about the recent racially motivated shooting in Buffalo, NY on the same stage where the seemingly racist Wallen performed.
It's been over a year since the 29-year-old singer used the racial slur in February 2021 in a conversation with a friend that was videotaped. His music was temporarily dropped from radio stations and he lost his recording contract with the Big Loud Label. Wallen broguht his mother as his date to the ceremony and steered clear of past conduct.
Houston native Scott was partially blamed for continuing to perform during an over-crowded concert that led to deaths and injuries. Eight people died and over 300 were treated for injuries. He had not made a television apperance since the incident. After debuting his song "Mafia" he posted thanks to the Billboard Awards for allowing him to participate. Scott also recently donated $1 million to black college students who earned over a 3.5 GPA.
as a part of his Project Heal initiative which launched in March.
Wallen, who is from Tennessee, went on to win for Best Country Artist after singing “Don’t Think Jesus” and “Wasted on You” and was later presented with the top country male artist award.
Diddy used the n-word himself in the opening of the event. In addition to dropping some expletives he referred to himself as the “freest n—a,” which was bleeped out.
Isn't it is ironic that he wanted to make this point in light of him trying to smooth things over at the Oscars after the Will Smith slap a month earlier?