CeeLo Green is walking back some recent statements he made during an interview with Far Out Magazine in which he said women rappers such as Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj are “desperate” for attention.
On Wednesday (August 12), the Goodie Mob vet issued a lengthy statement to his social media accounts and apologized for comments he suggests were taken out of context.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding with a quote taken from an interview I did a few days ago while promoting my new project,” he wrote. “Firstly, I’m an advocate of artistic freedom and expression as well as a fan of Nicki, Cardi and Megan. I know most of them personally and consider Cardi & Offset family. Therefore, I would never disrespect them by any means.
“I acknowledge them all as powerful, beautiful and influential women…and professionals. I wholeheartedly apologize to each of them for the inconvenience they have been caused due to a snippet of my interview being used as a headline, and in turn creating controversy and disconnect between me and these ladies as well as their fans. Know that I support everyone is part of our community & culture.”
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— CeeLo Green (@CeeLoGreen) August 12, 2020
Green’s original comment seemed to be in response to Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion’s sexually explicit video for “WAP.”
“You have the ‘Heads of State,’ like Nicki Minaj or someone who is up there in accolade: success, visibility, a platform to influence,” he said. “Nicki could be effective in so many other constructive ways, but it feels desperate.
“Attention is also a drug and competition is around. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, they are all more or less doing similar salacious gesturing to kinda get into position. I get it, the independent woman and being in control, the divine femininity and sexual expression. I get it all but it comes at what cost?”
CeeLo Green Says Nicki Minaj, Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion Are Desperate For Attention
Following the viral interview, rap fans were fast to remind people of Green’s controversial past. In 2012, Green was accused of sexual battery, leading to a nearly year-long investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. The following year, Green pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of furnishing a controlled substance after the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office declined to file a charge of rape of an intoxicated person, citing insufficient evidence.
In 2014, Green pleaded no contest to one felony count of furnishing ecstasy and was sentenced to three years of probation, 360 hours of community service and ordered to complete 52 Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings.