On Saturday (July 30), Slowthai performed at the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal. During his set, the British rapper was seen wearing a T-shirt depicting a swastika beneath the word “DESTROY” in a style reminiscent of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s famed 1977 “Destroy” T-shirt. The following day, Slowthai and the music festival apologized for the T-shirt and its imagery.
“i’m sorry to anyone who is offended by me wearing an anti-fascist / anti-regime t-shirt and the use of the symbol it represents,” Slowthai shared in a statement posted on social media. “i want you to know i stand firmly against antisemitism and fascism of any kind, something the t-shirt was meant to illustrate with the word ‘destroy’ above the symbol.”
“A performer appeared on stage Saturday wearing a controversial t-shirt displaying a swastika that caused confusion. The t-shirt denounces the regime,” festival organizers wrote in their own statement. “We sincerely apologize to anyone who may have misinterpreted this message and felt hurt.”
When contacted by Pitchfork, a representative for Slowthai offered no additional comment. Representatives for Osheaga also offered no comment.
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