Entertainer and entrepreneur Rihanna has issued an apology on social media for inadvertently including an Islamic sacred text during her Savage X Fenty Show Volume. 2 presentation, shown exclusively on Amazon Prime.
In an Instagram Live message she wrote, I’d like to thank the Muslim community for pointing out a huge oversight that was unintentionally offensive in our savage x fenty show. I would more importantly like to apologize to you for this honest, yet careless mistake.
“We understand that we have hurt many of our Muslim brothers and sisters, and i’m incredibly disheartened by this! I do not play with any kind of disrespect toward God or any religion and therefore the use of this song in our project was completely irresponsible! Moving forward we will make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Thank you for your forgiveness and understanding, Rih.”
In a DM exchange prior to the public apology, she told a follower who warned her of the push back on the song, “Thanks for reaching out man! It’s been brought to our attention and we’re taking it out! I obviously had no clue. I just hope people don’t think I did this on purpose or to be offensive or anything like that! Cause you know I would NEVER!”
I want to deeply apologize for the offence caused by the vocal samples used in my song ‘DOOM’. The song was created using samples from Baile Funk tracks I found online. At the time, I was not aware that these samples used text from an Islamic Hadith. 1/2
— COUCOU CHLOE (@coucou_chloe) October 5, 2020
The misstep occurred during a portion of the presentation making use of London-based music creative Coucou Chloe‘s single “Doom,” which samples a sheikh reading a hadith, an account of the prophet Muhammad’s behaviors and words that is viewed as sacred in Islam.
Chloe also apologized, explaining the offending material was from a sample she pulled online. She noted, “At the time, I was not aware that these samples used text from an Islamic Hadith.” As well, Chloe announced her team was in the process of removing it from streaming platforms.
Multiple people expressed skepticism over Chloe’s claim to ignorance mainly because the song’s title is “Doom” and the hadith used in the song is themed on Muhammad discussing end times.
Check out Rihanna’s apology below.
