Former Rapper Accused of Domestic Violence to Hold "Anti-Rape" Event
In Miami, on December 11, former rapper XXXTentacion has a scheduled court appearance for charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and witness-tampering. Days before, in the same city, he has plans to host an "anti-rape event." Where, he claims, "rape victims can come to this event and tell their stories and help others, and support others who have been through a similar instance," he says in a video posted to Instagram. Pitchfork has run an in-depth look about the distressing and disturbing accusations, lifted from the witness's deposition.
“I’d ask that if you come to the event you come bearing no type of negative energy, and you make sure you come with the full support in your heart to those that have experienced any sort of posttraumatic experience or event," he says further in the video. Given the former rapper's curent situation and timing, the event appears to be opportunistic, an attempt to ameliorate his image before a court ruling. One Twitter user has pointed out how the situation seems advantageous.
Just a little over a month ago, on October 20, XXL reported that the former rapper had pledged to donate $100,000 to domestic abuse prevention programs, writing "I dont take back the remark in a general statement, but I do want to say I would never intentionally try to make a woman feel uncomfortable or in danger by my own conscious will so in order to show progress in my life and show remorse for my remark to the people that support me I want to let you know, that I will be donating over 100 thousand dollars, to domestic violence prevention programs!" The former rapper has yet to confirm such donations.
[h/t XXL]