STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Princeton Students Protest Big Sean Performance

Petition claims "IDFWU" rapper's lyrics promote rape culture and misogyny.

Big Sean’s headlining show at Princeton University next month is being protested by students who take issue with his lyrics, The Daily Princetonian reports. A petition was launched last weekend aimed at stopping the rapper from performing at the Lawnparties Spring ’15 on May 3.

| CLICK TO READ COLLEGE COURSES BASED ON MUSIC STARS | 

Duncan Hosie spearheaded the petition after watching a promo video featuring the line, “stupid a** b***h” from Sean’s “IDFWU” single. Hosie began “researching” his lyrics, and found them to be both misogynistic and homophobic. The college junior then linked with senior Rebecca Basaldua to take it a step further. 

“I’m sure every singer has a questionable song, but there are a significant amount of his songs that deal with this," Basaldua said. "I think there are a lot of other artists, in the same genre even, that would have been a better choice.”  

Hosie and Basaldua want Princeton’s Undergraduate Student Government to “stop promoting rape culture and misogyny by rescinding the offer” to Sean. The petition adds, “In the future, USG should strive to bring non-misogynistic acts to campus.” 

Roughly 500 people have signed the petition. Unfortunately the protest won't go very far because, once an act is confirmed, it’s pretty much a done deal. “The contracts are signed and it’s unrealistic to stop this from happening,” said Simon Wu, who chairs the USG social committee in charge of getting performers.

Wu and the USG dean will meet with the students this week and may organize a future panel discussion on misogyny and lyrics..

BET.com is your No. 1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Raptor House)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.