South African DJ and producer, Black Coffee, is in hot water for performing at a show in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The world renowned entertainer posted a video from his performance in the country telling followers that he “loved” Tel Aviv at the sold out gig.
Thank you @the.tripping I Love you Telaviv ❤
Now off to @AwakeningFestiv afternoon set and Venice at night.#Godsveryown #soldout pic.twitter.com/UO2rJDhCZ3— #PIECESOFME (@RealBlackCoffee) March 31, 2018
This immediately incited social media outcry about Black Coffee’s support of Israel, specifically, its “oppressive law in Israel and to the killings of Palestinians.”
Followers accused Black Coffee of ignoring recent calls to boycott Israel by the BDS South Africa (a registered South African NPO and PBO) as well as growing tension between South Africa’s government and Israel.
According to South Africa’s Science and Technology Minister, Naledi Pandor, South Africa intends to cut diplomatic ties with Israel in protest of its treatment of the Palestinian people. South Africa’s representative to the UN told the Human Rights Council that Israel is the “only state in the world that can be described as an apartheid state”. This came days after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party called for government ministers to strengthen the country’s visa restrictions with Israel.
Black Coffee responded as follows,
Like everyone else I have rights and free will and no Black Coffee is not a political party…I work as an entertainer to feed my Family.
To sum it up….I’ll take a bullet for my Family.— #PIECESOFME (@RealBlackCoffee) April 2, 2018
Which only caused further backlash as seen here:
Translation
I will take money whether blood money or not. I don’t care about humanity.
— slarge (@slargeliving) April 2, 2018
This is not about Rights or free will or whether you are a Political party or not. It’s about PRINCIPLES, ETHICS, MORALS, VALUES and CONSCIENCE. And YOU Black Coffee clearly have absolutely none of them. ZERO. https://t.co/ZztqOcK29n
— Superblack (@hostilenativ) April 2, 2018
You don’t have to be a politician or a human rights ambassador to boycott Apartheid Isreal and money must never be more important than morality and justice
— The Expropriator (@kizobantu) April 2, 2018
Black Coffee is oscillating between arrogance and feigned innocence. It’s actually pathetic that a grown person who has been so supported by people in this country, would choose to behave this way. Trash.
— You Don’t Even Watch Al Jazeera* ? (@PearlPillay) April 1, 2018
I have been a fan of Black Coffee’s music for years & years. His decision to play in Israel & then justify it by saying he needs to feed his family is an insult, more so now after Prime Minister Binyàmin Netanyahu has said African migrants are worse than terrorists.
— Siphumelele Zondi (@SZondi) April 2, 2018
As artists such as African American rapper Jay Z and athletes such as Collin Kaepernic become increasingly vocal about politics and take on activist roles, should we expect the same of African entertainers? Should Black Coffee be under scrutiny for his politics or, in this case, “lack there off”?
Share your views in the comments below.
