The controversy surrounding Kid Cudi’s most recent headlining tour is still unfolding following M.I.A.’s removal from the tour and the lawsuit she subsequently filed against the Man On The Moon rapper. Cudder has now responded, arguing that his decision to remove her was protected under his constitutional rights, specifically the First Amendment.
According to TMZ, Cudi maintains that the First Amendment gives him the right to determine the political and artistic direction of his performances. M.I.A. had previously alleged that she was unfairly removed from the tour because of her political views, despite claiming that Cudi already knew where she stood politically.
Her lawsuit also claims that Cudi’s decision cost her $2.8 million in guaranteed payments from Live Nation. Cudder, however, argued that any dispute over that money should be handled directly between M.I.A. and Live Nation.
Cudi removed her from the tour following her onstage comments, during which she mentioned voting Republican before making a series of offhand remarks. On X, M.I.A. shared a transcript of her rant, including the line, “We can’t do ‘Illygal,’ though some of you could be in the audience.” She also pointed out that she and her team are “illegal.” She later responded to Cudi with a lengthy statement defending herself.
Eventually, M.I.A. was booed offstage, while fans continued expressing their frustration online afterward. The backlash ultimately prompted Cudi to make the decision to remove her from the tour.
“M.I.A. is no longer on this tour. I told my management to send a notice to her team before we started tout that I didn’t want anything offensive at my shows, cz I already knew what time it as, and I was assured things were understood,” he said in a statement posted to Instagram. Cudi added that he had received multiple messages from fans who were upset by M.I.A.’s comments. “This, to me, is very disappointing and I won’t have someone on my tour making offensive remarks that upsets my fanbase.”
