Joe Budden Doesn’t Think Jussie Smollett Attack Was a Hate Crime
Although several rappers have expressed their support for Jussie Smollett following his brutal attack in Chicago last week, there is at least one that is a bit skeptical. That rapper is Joe Budden, who addressed what he feels are some logical issues with Smollett's account of the event on episode 218 of The Joe Budden Podcast.
Specifically speaking, Budden has doubts that the attack on Smollett, which took place last Tuesday (Jan. 29), was a hate crime.
“You know, it’s a shame that we[‘re] in this era where I gotta think twice about if I’m allowed to think something," he began for one part of the podcast. "I don’t believe that nigga was atta—it was a hate crime. I don’t believe that. Sorry! I should reserve that right is what I’m saying today.”
All told, Joe, Rory and Mal discussed the Smollett attack for just about 10 minutes, and it's clear that they didn't find the Empire star’s recollection of the attack to be a convincing one. “Fam, do y’all believe his story?” Joe asked Rory and Mal, who both seemed skeptical.
Joe then brings up Taraji P. Henson’s post about Smollett-focused Instagram post, which includes a video snippet of the singer-actor's 2017 song “F.U.W.” It appears Budden might be hinting at Henson possibly milking the press coverage Smollett's gotten since the attack. He also has problems with believing that Smollett would be so comfortable with a noose around his neck. Smollett reportedly had the rope around his neck while he was talking to authorities.
“Any Black person that tells you that they had a noose put on them and left it there for the next 45 minutes, you should ask questions," Joe continued. "That’s not a normal thing, just in psychology. But okay; got it.”
In response to claims that Smollett kept the noose around his neck to “preserve the evidence," Joe said, “I would believe that if your next move after this attack was to call the police—it was not. You called your manager and that was uh, 40 minutes later. And then the police got a call."
All in all, Budden thinks he's got a healthy amount of skepticism for the Smollett situation.
"There are at least 25 different reasons to be a little skeptical. It tough to believe things," he continued. "I don't believe Hollywood. I don't believe actors. I don't believe police and I don't believe the government. And all of those entities are here. So pardon me if my third eye is a little attentive."
Joe also wanted to make it clear that he's not trying to be insensitive to anyone who has been a victim of a hate crime. He says he's simply asking questions.
You can listen to Joe Budden, Rory and Mal's opinions about the Jussie Smollett attack below.
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