Muslim rapper cancels TV slot to avoid Trump
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The rapper Belly, a Canadian of Palestinian origin, cancelled a coveted appearance on a late-night US television show as a protest against fellow guest, Donald Trump.
Belly had been due to perform with R&B sensation TheWeeknd on Wednesday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote the rapper’s upcoming album Another Day In Paradise.
But Belly announced that he was scrapping the performance because Trump was the main guest, with the rapper saying he preferred to focus on “positivity and love”.
“I just didn’t want to feel like I was part of a celebration for somebody who has beliefs the majority of us don’t agree with,” said Belly, who was born in the West Bank and grew up in the Canadian capital, Ottawa.
After a couple of Pakistani origin carried out an attack in California that left 14 people dead, Trump called for an indefinite ban on the entry of all foreign Muslims into the United States on the basis of their religion.
“For me, being Muslim and being somebody that appreciates my access here in America, I love the fact that I’m able to be here,” said Belly, whose real name is Ahmad Balshe.