Doomtree, Prof & others respond after members of Minneapolis hip hop scene accused of abuse
UPDATE: Rhymesayers issued a statement and dropped Prof and Dem Atlas from the label.
UPDATE 2: Atmosphere respond to Minneapolis hip hop scene abuse allegations.
UPDATE 4: Psalm One calls to boycott Rhymesayers as 2015 interview about label mistreating her resurfaces
UPDATE 5: Astronautalis admits to abuse following new allegations
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Minneapolis rappers and others involved in the city’s scene have responded after a series of allegations were made against Chris Young, aka DJ Fundo, who has DJed for Rhymesayers artist Prof, P.O.S. from Doomtree, and hosted area party nights. Casey Delgado, aka DJ Babyghost, posted on social media about a relationship she says she had with Fundo, beginning when she was 18 and he was in his 30s. She accuses him of “abusing his power,” and of “manipulative” and “predatory” behavior.
https://www.facebook.com/okayokayyougogirl/posts/10158074671141026
In the comments, Delgado wrote that other women have reached out to her and told her about their own experiences with Fundo, including these:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158077452216026&set=a.10150109203561026&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158077352631026&set=a.10150109203561026&type=3
“DJ Fundo, is someone I always knew to be a little sleezy. But someone I also thought to be harmless,” P.O.S writes in a statement in response:
https://twitter.com/YEAHRIGHTPOS/status/1275479061075279872
Fellow Minneapolis artist DJ Minnie Blanco had this to say about P.O.S’ statement:
https://twitter.com/Minnie_Blanco/status/1275492004110032896
my sister & I have been trying to hold the men in our lives accountable privately for years and they hate us for it. it needs to be a collective responsibility.
— DJ Minnie Blanco (@Minnie_Blanco) June 23, 2020
She references tweets from @AnarchyAndi:
You have been much worse than a bad partner and you knew exactly who Fundo was, and Graham ,and the MANY others abusers YOU put on. You have felt comfortable having these dangerous fuck boys in your circle bc they made you feel like your shit wasn’t as bad. Dig deeper. Do better.
— Betty Maybe (@AnarchyAndi) June 23, 2020
You have created a culture of silence around you and I don’t understand how you haven’t been given so many passes. I don’t fear you or the loss of your influence and clout like everyone else does though.
— Betty Maybe (@AnarchyAndi) June 23, 2020
I grew up in a household with addiction and abuse and it’s taken me my whole life to learn that love isn’t supposed to hurt. You have taken advantage of me while I was vulnerable so many times. You hurt me and many other women. A lot.
— Betty Maybe (@AnarchyAndi) June 23, 2020
I don’t appreciate @DOOMTREE s sentiments tonight at all. Y’all stand with an abuser every time you’re on stage. You have a lot more to atone for than Fundo. I am not ok. Don’t reach out.
— Moria "Rose" Gold (@AnarchyAndi) June 23, 2020
Prof also made a statement, writing, “We were aware that Chris had many sexual partners and polyamorous relationships, however we did not know the extent of his abuse towards women.”
https://twitter.com/Profgampo/status/1275182796915474436
https://twitter.com/Profgampo/status/1275278627303809033
https://twitter.com/Profgampo/status/1275399131041804293
Delgado meanwhile shared screencaps of tweets she says were deleted from Prof’s account:
https://www.facebook.com/okayokayyougogirl/posts/10158077363276026
Doomtree said they’d be holding a “long, hard, honest crew meeting tonight,” and that “You’ll hear more from us soon.”
A long, hard, honest crew meeting tonight. You’ll hear more from us soon, but this thread from Christin Crabtree is guiding a lot of our thoughts and conversation—as a crew, as musicians, and as human beings. https://t.co/4FBEsAscRC
— DOOMTREE (@DOOMTREE) June 23, 2020
Doomtree’s Sims also gave his own statement:
https://twitter.com/SIMSdoomtree/status/1275557020272406536?s=20
As did Doomtree member and Doomtree Records CEO/general manager Lazerbeak:
Here to listen and learn. Some initial and honest thoughts in a much deeper and ongoing conversation. pic.twitter.com/1wg7MePosb
— LAZERBEAK (@_LAZERBEAK_) June 23, 2020
Doomtree’s Mike Mictlan wrote:
there was a time before I met my wife when I was broken & very promiscuous &on drugs &drunk &depressed here in Minneapolis & on tour. & believe me I'm examining it all with a heavy heart & a critical mind. I could've done better, been better. I will be BETTER. No excuses from me.
— MIKE MICTLAN (@MIKEMICTLAN) June 23, 2020
@AnarchyAndi responded:
I appreciate my brother @MIKEMICTLAN for actually taking personal accountability and @anderother for holding everyone down. https://t.co/zZF48b1Oyl
— Moria "Rose" Gold (@AnarchyAndi) June 24, 2020
that part. ❤ https://t.co/WIwJmAYSlk
— MIKE MICTLAN (@MIKEMICTLAN) June 24, 2020
Doomtree members Dessa, Cecil Otter, and Paper Tiger did not release their own statements, but Dessa retweeted Christin Crabtree and the other two retweeted the Doomtree statement.
Minneapolis rapper Astronautalis released a statement as well:
https://twitter.com/astronautalis/status/1275487508562837504?s=20
https://twitter.com/astronautalis/status/1275487513797365760?s=20
UPDATE: Days after releasing this statement, Astronautalis was accused of abuse by at least three women, which he admitted to in a newer statement.
As did Rhymesayers artist Grieves:
https://twitter.com/Grievesmusic/status/1275629587997749248
Minneapolis rapper Finding Novyon shared a screencap of post he says was deleted from Fundo’s Facebook, where he apologizes for using the N word in a “joke.”
DJ FUNDO, called a black DJ in MN
Prof’s “TOKEN NIGGER” to his FACE.gets called out for it, & makes a half
assed apology, then deletes it.this was not a joke, he meant it.
he was salty that his clout & privilege
was threatened. & needs to be addressed. pic.twitter.com/IyLUmm01Ex— 𝕹𝖔𝖛𝖞𝖔𝖓 💫 (@FindingNovyon) June 21, 2020
Novyon also tweeted this about Doomtree:
https://twitter.com/FindingNovyon/status/1275593410754359299
Novyon also retweeted DJ Babyghost posting a screenshot of allegation against Rhymesayers artist and recent Atmosphere tourmate deM atlaS:
@rhymesayers
I’ve heard this story more than once the past few days about Dem Atlas.
These are dangerous patterns and abuses of power, preying on the fact that these are fans of their music. pic.twitter.com/khXrinvVfx— babyghost (@hellobabyghost) June 24, 2020
And Novyon retweeted this:
2.) If Mpls truly wants reform and accountability, don’t just focus on fundo. Start discussing RhymeSayers, StopHouse and “Brother” Ali. Start discussing everyone upholding these systems of oppression
— Angel (@yogalikeanangel) June 23, 2020
The tweets in this post are just a sampling of what is out there at the moment, and this last one is just one of many tweets calling for Rhymesayers and Atmosphere (whose two members are Rhymesayers co-owners) to comment, and/or to drop Prof from the label. Rhymesayers has not posted on social media since Monday (6/22) and Atmosphere have not since Tuesday (6/23).
This story may still be developing.
UPDATE: Rhymesayers issued a statement and dropped Prof and Dem Atlas from the label.
UPDATE 2: Atmosphere respond to Minneapolis hip hop scene abuse allegations.
UPDATE 4: Psalm One calls to boycott Rhymesayers as 2015 interview about label mistreating her resurfaces
UPDATE 5: Astronautalis admits to abuse following new allegations