The rapper whose arguably anti-Semitic lyrics got LeBron James into trouble for quoting them apologized Tuesday, early Christmas morning.
James, a three-time NBA champion, posted a photo on his Instagram story on Saturday with the caption, “We been getting that Jewish money, Everything is Kosher,” which is a line in 21 Savage’s song “ASMR.”
Early Tuesday morning, 21 Savage apologized for the lyric.
The rapper tweeted, “The Jewish people I know are very wise with there money so that’s why I said we been gettin Jewish money I never thought anyone would take offense I’m sorry if I offended everybody never my intention I love all people.”
The Jewish people I know are very wise with there money so that’s why I said we been gettin Jewish money I never thought anyone would take offense I’m sorry if I offended everybody never my intention I love all people
— Saint Laurent Don (@21savage) December 25, 2018
Facing backlash for the post, James also apologized Sunday night after the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. (RELATED: Newsweek: Conservatives Are Upset LeBron James Quoted An Anti-Semitic Rap Lyric)
SAN ANTONIO,TX – OCTOBER 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks past Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on October 27 , 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
He said, “Apologies, for sure, if I offended anyone. That’s not why I chose to share that lyric. I always [post lyrics]. That’s what I do. I ride in my car, I listen to great music, and that was the byproduct of it. So I actually thought it was a compliment, and obviously, it wasn’t through the lens of a lot of people. My apologies. It definitely was not the intent, obviously, to hurt anybody.”
Surprised LeBron, who makes very few mistakes, put this out. Does quoting lyrics from a song absolve the person quoting from the responsibility behind the words? I’d argue no, especially with a following of 45 million. pic.twitter.com/efv9gkXres
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 23, 2018