Azealia Banks’ Twitter page was suspended after she unleashed an insult-laden rant at former boy band member Zayn Malik and challenged child star Skai Jackson in the matter.
The battle began when Banks posted a collage on Instagram stating Malik stole visuals for his new music video from videos for two of her songs. She accused the singer of being a white boy who was appropriating Black culture despite him being part Pakistani. Jackson inserted herself in the tirade and the two traded insults.
Today, when attempting to access the Harlem rapper’s account, a message reading, “this account has been suspended,” showed up. Before then, she tweeted a series of apologies last night. They stated that Banks was sorry for anyone who “took offense” to her earlier remarks.
“Big apologies to anyone who was offended by any of the things I said,” the rapper tweeted on May 11. “Not sorry I said it. But sorry for the way I made people feel. Everyone except the targets of my tirades. Not using my blackness or my NYC persona to excuse anything. I am Azealia Banks and I am who I am.”
“Again, I say what I mean and I mean what I say,” she continues. “Not apologizing for my words WHATSOEVER, apologizing for the way people feel. Because it’s not nice to make people feel bad. But as an individual, I have the creative freedom to say whatever the f— I want.”
“Remember that offense is never given, it is only taken. I apologize to everyone who TOOK offense,” Banks tweets. “Carry on.”
The MC then posted a series of direct messages in a screenshot with the caption, “Thoughts on everything (loads of typos).” The image showed her response to a follower called Zizzi.
In the message, Banks says she was angry at Malik for not crediting her for the video imagery and said the two were “in the same boat in this industry as people of color.”
The 24-year-old also explains that she does not believe she was tweeting with 14-year-old Jackson yesterday. Instead, Banks thinks the Disney actress’ mother, Kiya Cole, was unleashing the digs.
The rapper’s social media shutdown was brought on by Twitter users who rallied to get her removed. Some users believe her deactivation is good news.
Getting her Twitter account suspended could be the best thing to happen to Azealia Banks' career since the 212 video
— William E. Ketchum III (@WEKetchum) May 12, 2016
My God is real and he makes his presence known !! 🙏🏽RT“@KarenCivil: Twitter has suspended Azealia Banks account. https://t.co/l7rUZVARwH”
— . (@CalledMe_Buskey) May 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/NoirHippie/status/730779182142128129
A similar outcry happened early in April when Banks unleashed a rant against politician Sarah Palin. The effort failed, and the “Big Beat” performer was able to keep her page.
