Billie Eilish defends her tribute to controversial rapper XXXTentacion
5 April 2019, 12:41
“I don’t think I deserve getting hate for loving someone that passed.” Billie addressed the "hate" she got for mourning XXXTentacion.
Billie Eilish has responded to criticism she received after mourning the controversial rapper XXXTentacion.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Billie addressed some criticism she received last year after paying tribute to the late rapper.
XXXTentacion was shot killed last June at the age of 20. In life, the rapper faced legal troubles stemming from domestic abuse charges.
XXXTentacion was viewed by many as a controversial figure. However, Billie tells the New York Times that she just wanted to mourn her friend and that she doesn't believe she deserved "the hate" she received at the time.
"I want to be able to mourn, I don’t want to be shamed for it," said the singer.
“I don’t think I deserve getting hate for loving someone that passed.”
At the time, in an Instagram tribute, Billie said XXXTentacion was "the strongest human I've ever known" and called news of his death "so painful".
In a recent Billboard red carpet interview Bhad Bhabie also revealed that she and BIllie Eilish bonded about their grief over XXXTentacion's death.
"Unfortunately, the first day we met was the day X had passed [...] We just sat and listened to his music and cried," Bhad Bhabie said.
Billie isn't the only celebrity who publicly mourned XXXTentacion last year. Kanye West similarly divided fans after he released a posthumous collab with the rapper, as well as XXX themed merch.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Billie's debut album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO, is expected to debut at Number 1 this week on Billboard's Hot 200.
