Fat Joe says critics of Dave Chappelle need to move on.
The Bronx legend, who is a close friend of the Emmy-winning comedian, was stopped by TMZ while wandering New York and asked to share his thoughts on Chapelle’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community, with Joe saying the queer community loves the 48-year-old comedian.
“They love him,” Joe said. “They love him. Everybody gotta take the time out and laugh. When it’s a comedian we look at it as fun humor laughter. Of course there’s some sensitive issues that our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community are facing which is fear, people beating ’em up for no reason. All types of things that are happening to ’em unfairly, but I don’t think Dave Chappelle making fun of them or me, I just laugh, you know? And I take it for what it is.”
He continued, “You mess around and walk into the comedy club after they already started and you try to get to your seat, they gonna tear you up for about a half hour…I think comedy has always been a relief. It’s always made fun of everything. Sometimes it’s too soon…but other than that, I love comedy. I love to laugh and that’s the beauty of comedy…he’s just being a comedian.”
Fat Joe’s comments come after Chappelle’s latest show in Minneapolis was canceled hours before it was set to begin, due to protests from the LGBTQ community over his recurring jokes aimed at transgender people. The show was moved from First Avenue to the Minneapolis’ Varsity Theater.
“To staff, artists and our community, we hear you and we are sorry,” First Avenue wrote in a statement announcing the shift. “We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down. We are not just a black box with people in it, and we understand that First Ave is not just a room, but meaningful beyond our walls.
“The First Avenue team and you have worked hard to make our venues the safest spaces in the country, and we will continue with that mission. We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honoring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have. We know there are some who will not agree with this decision, you are welcome to send feedback.”
Chappelle’s latest special The Closer contained many jokes aimed at the LGBTQ+ movement, with many finding the content offensive to the trans community. Despite the special’s controversy, the Netflix production was still nominated for two Emmys at the 2022 awards.
Watch Fat Joe’s comments above.
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