Rapper Blueface Faces Criticism Over Controversial Donation Video In Los Angeles’ Skid Row

Published on December 27, 2019

Blueface, the rapper behind viral hits like “Thotiana,” is facing criticism over a video taken earlier this week that shows him throwing cash off of the roof of a car in Los Angeles’ Skid Row, forcing the homeless people below to scurry for the flying cash. Social media users have blasted the rapper for the disgraceful way in which he chose to donate money this holiday season, while other figures like Tiffany Haddish have spoken out in support of the rapper’s misguided generosity.

Social Media Speaks Up

In a video that shows the rapper standing on top of a black G Wagon throwing thousands of dollars into the air, the homeless below can be seen scrambling to pick up the money as it falls to the cold ground. In an area of Los Angeles famous for its homeless population, thousands are forced to sleep in tents and on the ground in often cold, dangerous conditions.

As people scramble to pick up the money being thrown into the air, some are even pushed to the ground in a near-frenzy as the crowds get aggressive to pick up as much as they can. With so many services available to donate money safely and effectively to the homeless, it seems clear that Blueface chose to toss cash into the air to boost his own ego rather than create genuine change.

“I’ve been homeless before. This is BEYOND disrespectful. There was ZERO good intent here. #blueface treat those people like they were animals, when he could’ve donated to the 3 shelters that are within 3 blocks of that location, helped more people, and let them keep their dignity,” said one account called @SeanCoryCooper on Twitter in response to the video.

Other users on social media platforms like Twitter have called Blueface disrespectful for opting to flaunt his own wealth instead of quietly donating to organizations and shelters that can help the homeless. “As someone who has been homeless, poor, and grew up in the hood- I would’ve taken the money because I needed it but I still would’ve felt belittled. As someone who likes to give- I’d give it to people in hand so they could still have that instant gratification,” said @dvrlas on Twitter.

Tiffany Haddish Responds To Critics – “It’s a blessing.”

Not everyone seems entirely disturbed by the imagery of Blueface standing atop a luxury car, throwing hundred dollar bills down at the less fortunate standing below. Actress Tiffany Haddish, who was the first female African American stand-up comedian to ever host Saturday Night Live, felt that Blueface was acting with good intention that was not unlike the happenings that go on as part of the culture of Los Angeles’ poorer neighborhoods.

“It’s like tradition. It’s not unusual. It’s actually, from my experience, traditional. I’ve seen it so many times,” said Haddish in a video interview with TMZ. “I have known a lot of men with money that are affiliated [with gangs] to jump on top of their best vehicle and make it rain,” she continued, pointing out that Blueface was likely only operating based on the ethos he knew already.

“If he’s throwing out ‘hundreds,’ he’s possibly making it so somebody can get a room for the night to stay in so they don’t have to be in the cold. You don’t know what blessing that might’ve helped somebody with,” she explained when asked how it may have felt to be one of the people scrambling for cash on the ground, pointing out that it likely would have been degrading if he were tossing single dollar bills into the air.

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Julia Sachs is a former Managing Editor at Grit Daily. She covers technology, social media and disinformation. She is based in Utah and before the pandemic she liked to travel.

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