DaBaby had his sights set on new songs to present to his fans around a month ago. The rapper claimed a new album was on the way, but that was all forgotten when he went on a homophobic diatribe directed at HIV/AIDS patients at Miami’s Rolling Loud festival in July. DaBaby has been embroiled in a number of controversies since then, and it continues with the release of his latest single.
On Tuesday, the North Carolina rapper delivers a remix of Wizkid and Tems’ summer hit, “Essence.” His take of the track completely alters the song’s original nature as Wizkid and Tems’ relaxed vocals are replaced by DaBaby’s quick-fire raps. He also uses the track to address the recent criticism he’s faced since his Rolling Loud rant. “I just feel like, you know, when situations like this present themselves, man,” he says on the track. “And people try to, you know, assassinate your character, man / And assassinate who you are, man / And everything you put that hard work in for, man.” He adds, “Sometimes you gotta demonstrate, you know, that’s how I came here / And I don’t mind demonstratin’ / I don’t mind exercisin’, you dig what I’m sayin’?”
After his Rolling Loud performance, DaBaby met with nine HIV/AIDS organizations, according to reports. Most fans were dissatisfied with the remix, and they rushed to Twitter to express their disgust.
Listen to his “Essence” remix in the video above, and read what fans have to say about it below.
