Update: Last night (January 15), Ebro Darden — the Hot 97 radio host who works with Colin Kaepernick’s girlfriend, Nessa — tweeted that Kaepernick does not approve of Travis Scott’s Super Bowl halftime performance, writing, “Kap did not approve this bullsh*t! Get the f*ck outta here….” Kaepernick has not tweeted about the report, but he did retweet Darden’s tweet. Nessa also responded to Darden’s tweet, “FACTS @EBRO!!! THEY NEED TO STOP LYING.”
Kaepernick also retweeted a tweet this morning that reads, “So you’re trying to tell ME that Kaepernick, a man that has been Blackballed by the NFL, costing him his career, for protesting against police terrorism, gave the green light to .@TrvisXX, a man that insinuated that Mike Brown was at fault in his death, to partner with the NFL?”
FACTS @EBRO!!! THEY NEED TO STOP LYING. https://t.co/vhNpxLtHtE
— NESSA (@nessnitty) January 16, 2019
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The news that Maroon 5, Travis Scott, and Big Boi would be performing at the Super Bowl halftime show was just a widespread rumor for a long while, but on Monday, the NFL finally confirmed the news. Jay-Z reportedly tried to talk Scott out of the performance in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, but Jay isn’t the only person Scott discussed the booking with. Variety reports that Scott “had at least one phone conversation” with Kaepernick himself before committing to the halftime gig.
The publication says:
“A source close to Scott said that while the two did not necessarily agree, they emerged from the conversation with mutual respect and understanding, with the rapper taking the stance that everyone makes a statement in their own way and he felt that the money going toward Dream Corps, combined with the platform provided by the Super Bowl, will do some good. The source also said that Scott would not confirm his performance until the donation was locked in.”
It was previously reported that Scott required a charitable donation from the NFL before he would confirm his appearance, and he said at the time, “I back anyone who takes a stand for what they believe in. I know being an artist that it’s in my power to inspire. So before confirming the Super Bowl Halftime performance, I made sure to partner with the NFL on this important donation. I am proud to support Dream Corps and the work they do that will hopefully inspire and promote change.”
Meanwhile, over 85,000 people want Scott, Maroon 5, and Big Boi to take a knee during their performance, while upwards of a million people want to hear the SpongeBob SquarePants song “Sweet Victory.”
