Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. has removed rapper Action Bronson from their Spring Weekend concert lineup after outcry from students. The student group responsible for the concert lineup wrote a statement on Facebook explaining that they wanted to remove Bronson as the headliner even before the student backlash, but couldn’t find a way out of their contract with the artist.
Bronson was removed as the Spring Weekend headliner after students expressed concerns over his song lyrics promoting misogyny as well as being anti-LGBTQ+. A petition was created on Change.org and managed to gain over 1,000 signatures, while also including statistics that show that Trinity College has one of the highest rates of homophobia and reported sexual assaults in the country.
“We fully recognize that we will not receive a refund and that we are contractually bound to pay Action Bronson. However, we think it would be better for Trinity students, and the institution’s reputation, for the concert to be cancelled regardless” the petition read.
This happened just weeks after Bronson’s appearance at George Washington University’s Spring Fling was canceled, mostly regarding a track made in 20ll titled “Consensual Rape.” The rapper was scheduled to perform at Trinity on April 30.
Action Bronson delivered a statement in response to the cancelation at GW, and apologized for any of his actions coming off as homophobic and misogynistic. He’s released the same statement in response to being removed from the Trinity concert.
“I’m far, far from perfect and I recognize my flaws and I’m making an effort to grow and be a better human,” he said.