Podcaster and former rapper Joe Budden found himself in hot water recently after making comments about Megan Thee Stallion declining a role in the popular video game franchise, “Call of Duty.” The remarks, made on the Joe Budden Podcast (JBP), quickly sparked outrage among fans who felt his words were disrespectful, especially given the context of her ongoing defamation trial.
The Comment That Sparked Controversy
During a discussion about Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation trial against blogger Milagro Gramz, a Roc Nation employee revealed that the artist turned down an offer to be a character in “Call of Duty.” Upon hearing this, Budden remarked, “I don’t even play Call Of Duty, I’d have bought it off the strength.” Many interpreted this as a flippant joke about her potentially being a target in the game, which felt particularly insensitive given the serious nature of the trial and the violence discussed.
For about a day, Budden remained silent, letting the backlash build. However, he has since offered a clarification on his “JBTV After Hours” show, attempting to explain his perspective.
Budden’s Explanation
Budden acknowledged that his comment was “ill-timed” and insisted it wasn’t intended as a joke. He explained that his remark was based on the business data behind such a collaboration. “If one of the number one games is trying to put you in as a shootable character, then that must have had data that says that will get a causal fan to the store, just for that reason,” he stated.
He further elaborated that, as someone who doesn’t play the game, he would have been motivated to purchase it simply because of Megan Thee Stallion’s involvement. “So, I said as someone who doesn’t play the game, I would go get the game. Again, maybe ill-timed, but it wasn’t so jokey, jokey,” Budden added.
Mixed Reactions to the Clarification
Despite Budden’s explanation, many listeners remain unconvinced, viewing his clarification as a way to backtrack without truly admitting fault. Some argue he’s simply being “smart” and that his initial comment revealed his true feelings. Budden himself noted in the clip that “There are a lot of agendas being pushed, none of them being mine.”
The defamation trial itself began on November 20th, with Megan Thee Stallion testifying about how the blogger allegedly created a platform for negative commentary about her. The legal proceedings continue to unfold, with Budden’s comments adding another layer of public discussion.
Do you believe Joe Budden’s explanation for his ‘Call of Duty’ comment? Or do you think he was being disrespectful? Share your thoughts in the comments below!