“I have been influenced by rap my whole upbringing,” mentioned the 17-year-old, who’s the daughter of Blink-182 rocker Travis Barker.
Alabama Barker is addressing the backlash she acquired after she teased a rap tune on TikTok.
Earlier this month, the 17-year-old previous — who’s the daughter of Travis Barker and ex Shanna Moakler — posted a TikTok video, beneath, of herself lip-syncing to an authentic rap tune. Whereas many followers praised Alabama’s expertise, others appeared to mock and make enjoyable of the teenager.
In a latest, since-deleted TikTok video, per People, Alabama slammed the haters who claimed she does not “know something” in regards to the style, and proceeded to element her lengthy historical past with rap music.
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“I am bored with individuals saying I do not know something about rap music, I wasn’t raised round rap music, I wasn’t something,” she started within the video. “So, let’s take a bit of area day into my life since you guys comprehend it so properly.”
The web character then shared some receipts, displaying a throwback shot of herself posing with Nicki Minaj as a toddler. The picture was from when Barker, Minaj and Rick Ross had been among the many opening acts of Lil Wayne’s 2011 “I Am Music II Tour.”
Alabama mentioned she was 5 years previous on the time, noting that she was “watching [Minaj’s] set on daily basis” and “knew each lyric.”
She then confirmed a picture of herself posing alongside Wayne, and a shot of the tune cowl for the 2019 observe, “Gimme Mind,” a single by Barker, Wayne and Ross.
“One other tune I knew by coronary heart after I was like 5 years previous,” she wrote. (Nonetheless, she was a young person when the tune was launched.)
The fact star continued to indicate “extra proof” that she did, actually, “develop up round rap music.”
After sharing a shot of her dad and Wayne, Alabama confirmed a photograph of Barker and Rihanna recording a remix of the latter’s 2007 hit “Umbrella.”
“I went to Rihanna’s music video when she shot the ‘Umbrella’ tune, I consider — or considered one of her songs. So, one other tune I cherished,” she mentioned, referencing the picture of her dad and Rihanna.
Alabama then revealed she went on one other rap tour: Blink-182 and Lil Wayne’s 2019 live performance tour. “Each evening I’d watch the Wayne present after I was like 11 years previous,” she mentioned. It is price noting that she was about 13 on the time.
She continued to indicate extra throwback photographs of herself with rappers or attending rap live shows, together with a shot of herself at a Wiz Khalifa live performance, and an image of herself with A$AP Ferg.
“That is us at dinner with Asap Ferg and my dad,” she mentioned of the picture with the “Plain Jane” rapper. “I used to be additionally an enormous fan of his music, and I knew each lyric to half of his songs.”
Additionally within the clip, Alabama mentioned, “it wasn’t simply rap music” she grew up with, sharing photographs of herself with artists equivalent to Justin Bieber, Steve Aoki and Pharrell Williams.
After reacting to feedback about her nails, she famous that rappers have carried out at a number of of her birthday events over time.
“Since I might stroll, I used to be within the music trade. I used to be watching my dad carry out in punk bands, rock bands, in rap live shows, every little thing,” Alabama mentioned. “So, for the folks that say, ‘Oh, she does not know something about rap music. She did not develop up round rap music. Why is she doing this? Why is she doing that?’ I have been influenced by rap my whole upbringing and punk rock.”
“I do know I’m privileged, and I am past grateful for that and blessed. It is not OK for individuals to make enjoyable of or disrespect any tradition in any respect,” she concluded. “So, if me being a rapper bugs you, then you possibly can simply maintain shifting and cease commenting.”