American rapper Maurice Samuel Young, a.k.a. Trick Daddy, responded to the backlash he received after questioning why Black people in the US are referred to as African Americans. The 50-year-old took to his Instagram Live and doubled down in his comments, saying:
"I don't know nothing about Africa. All I know is all African people I run into they think they better than us over here. So whatchu f**kers worry about me saying that I'm not African, I'm just American."
Instagram account @theshaderoom shared Trick Daddy's live stream on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
As news of the rapper's comments went viral, internet users were quick to react. One stated:
"We don't call white people European American lol."
Many called out the rapper for saying Africans think they are better than others. Here are some comments seen under @theshaderoom's Instagram post:
Others supported Trick Daddy's views but noted he could have made his point better.
"I’m trying to figure out how ‘Afro’ get in front of my motherf**king race"- Trick Daddy questions being called African American
In a video circulating on social media, Trick Daddy is seen questioning why Black people in America are referred to as African Americans.
"I’m trying to figure out how ‘Afro’ get in front of my motherf**king race. I ain’t never been to Afro-ca. I have never been to Africa. Afro or Africa. Never been there. I’m not from Africa," he can be heard saying.
The rapper explained that he was born in Goulds, Florida, and grew up at an apartment complex (Liberty Square) colloquially called Pork-N-Beans in Liberty City. He continued:
"(I) ain’t never went to Africa, ain’t thinking about going there. And I heard it’s a beautiful place, yes. And I know it’s the motherland, yes. But not my mother, not her mother, and not her mother’s mother, that ain’t their land. Americans’ real true land is right here, on US soils."
Instagram user @thatgrapejuice later shared the clip on their profile. The video was met with a mixed reactions, with many arguing that the rapper was entitled to his opinions and others criticizing him for the same.
Like Trick Daddy, Raven-Symon (who starred in Disney Channel's That's So Raven) faced similar backlash for saying she's not "African American" but rather "American," during a 2014 interview on Oprah Winfrey's show.
This is not the first time Maurice Samuel Young has received backlash for his comments. In 2016, in a rant on Instagram, the rapper asked Black women to "tighten up" or they would become "useless" as compared to Latina and white women. At the time, his remarks were harshly criticized.
Earlier this year, the rapper was slammed online for sharing a selfie of rapper GloRilla (which she earlier shared) on his Instagram with the caption:
"Damn Glo I'm loving this bathroom @glorillapimp"
Netizens called him out and commented on the age gap between the pair, stating she was young enough to be his daughter.
Trick Daddy rose to fame after appearing on Luther Campbell's Scarred. The song earned him a record deal with newly formed Slip-n-Slide Records. Some of the rapper's best work includes I'm a Thug, Let's Go, and I'm So Hood. He has recorded eight albums throughout his career.
Check out Apple TV+'s cutest new show HERE