Rapper Tokyo Jetz issued an emotional apology after mocking George Floyd's death in an online video Monday, June 1.
The Jacksonville, Florida-native has come under fire for making an insensitive joke mentioning George Floyd. In the now-viral video, Tokyo Jetz playfully choked her friend and said: "I'ma George Floyd your motherf**kin' a**."
On Twitter, one user wrote: "Automatic CANCELLATION!! At no point will "Ima George Floyd yo mf ass" EVER be a fucking joke to sit and laugh at. Just sick."
Another user wrote: "I'm so tired of these people saying sorry after they get exposed for saying ignorant shit that they had no business saying from jump! are you genuinely sorry or are you sorry it was caught on camera? WE DONT CARE YOUR $5 ass career is done baby #TokyoJetz"
A third Twitter user retweeted the apology video and commented: "You are not only a black woman but you have a black son and you STILL made a "joke" about George Floyd while choking a black man. So stop with the crocodile tears. You knew what you were saying. #TokyoJetz"
After receiving criticism for her remark, Jetz uploaded another video in her Instagram account captioned: "I'm sorry, I messed up big time. Nothing excuses what I've said and done, but I do really want everyone to know I'm not proud of it and sincerely apologize."
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Outside (@tokyojetz) on Jun 1, 2020 at 10:42am PDT
In the three minute video, she apologized "to family, to people on the frontlines, to people who actually stand up for us." She also clarified that she's not making the apology as an excuse. She also noted that she and her son are both black and noted that "at any given moment," it could be her or her son who needs someone to stand up for them. The 25-year-old rapper teared up as she took accountability for her actions.
Her fellow stars from the long-running reality show "Love & Hip-hop" expressed support for their fellow rapper. Fashion designer and shapewear brand "Waist Gang Society" CEO PreMadonna supported Tokyo Jetz's apology, commenting "Accountability! This a start. [We're] all humans we make mistakes! It's all a lesson continue to grow & seek wisdom with prayer." Meanwhile, Tokyo Vanity commented: "Accountability is the 1st step."
Tokyo Jetz is a rapper under Grand Hustle Records, an Atlanta-based hip-hop recording label founded by rapper T.I., signing with the company back in 2017. She has released the hip-hop tracks "See Me," "Respect," "No Problem," and "Amir."
Minnesota officials and independent autopsy agree that George Floyd's death was a homicide. The medical examiner reported Monday, June 1, that Floyd's death was due to "cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression."
In the viral video that made the rounds last Monday, May 25, a Minneapolis police officer can be seen kneeling on Floyd's neck as he was pinned to the ground. Floyd, together with several bystanders, have pleaded to the officers to let go of the 46-year-old black man. Floyd lost consciousness and died later at a hospital.
