'I totally did not see that outlook, so I do want to apologize if anyone was offended,' the rapper-turned-talk show host says after suggesting that Kawhi's father was a murderer.
- May 30, 2019
AceShowbiz - Joe Budden has issued an apology following his offensive remarks about Kawhi Leonard's late father. The rapper-turned-talk show host previously was slammed online after insinuating that Kawhi's father was a murderer during a recent episode of "The Joe Budden Podcast".
Joe was aware of the backlash he was getting because of the comments, so before he proceeded with the conversation in the May 29 episode of his podcast, he addressed his controversial comments. "I need to apologize to anyone that was offended by any of my or our Kawhi commentary last week," Joe said. "Some of you said it was in poor taste."
"I recognize how it can be taken that way. We were talking in code, or I was talking in code, alluding to some things that are not important and I totally did not see that outlook, so I do want to apologize if anyone was offended," he went on saying.
"I never thought that would be looked at as joking on death. I just don't play that way. I don't joke on the dead, any of that. No need to get a long, drawn-out explanation. I certainly was not joking on the dead and never want that to be taken that way, so let's issue an apology to anyone who offended, as well as Kawhi, as well as [his] uncle," Joe continued. "You in the finals, you don't need any of this mess right now. My voice shouldn't be the one to do that."
Internet dragged the host after he said, "Guess who's a killer? Kawhi's dad...it's a fact," while joking about making a documentary that was about "all of the crews that could kill you that y'all don't know about."
As for the proof, Joe said that he read in five different sources that Kawhi's late father had some sort of shady character. "Dad is in jail for I think whatever," the host said. "I won't get into it, I'm afraid. And the uncle is out handling the business [as Kawhi's manager]. When you look at Kawhi and his game and his demeanor, don't it sound right? And, then you're happy to know that."
His co-host Rory then corrected him, saying, "That's false information, Joe. His father, Mark, was shot and killed January 18, 2008, at the Compton carwash he owned. He may have been involved in something, but he is now passed away."
Responding to Rory, Joe said, "Okay, rest in peace to Kawhi's dad. That doesn't change my story at all. Alright, so he's not here." He went on saying, "But guess what? In the articles that I read before he left, he was getting busy. And to my knowledge, I think the uncle's gettin' busy." That prompted laughter for him and the other men joining him in the episode.
