Music fans are divided after a festival audience, hoping to see another performer, booed Drake off the stage after he was revealed as the surprise headliner.
Camp Flog Gnaw, an annual Los Angeles-based rap festival put on by Tyler, The Creator, featured artists like Solange, YG and Brockhampton this year. But the headliner spot was kept a surprise – the official lineup included ”???” in lieu of a name — and, according to NSFW fan-obtained video, fans began booing when it was revealed onstage to be Drake.
Audience members began chanting “We want Frank,” referring to singer/rapper Frank Ocean, whom some fans on social media had been hoping would make an appearance instead. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Flog Gnaw and Drake for comment.
“Like I said, I’m here for you tonight. If you want to keep going, I will keep going tonight,” the rapper said Sunday night, met with a negative reaction from the crowd. “Alright, it’s been love. I love y’all. I go by the name of Drake, thank you for having me,” he added before walking backstage. The rapper had performed several songs of his set before the departure.
Following the show, Twitter users began sounding off in support of the rapper.
“drake. i’m sorry bro,” tweeted user @bictorioo. “i’m so sorry. they didn’t deserve u.”
“imagine being so (expletive) privileged that when an event doesn’t book the surprise artist you want, you boo 4 Grammy winner Drake off the stage. Unreal,” tweeted user @virtualvibes.
“It sucks because Tyler books this festival himself,” added music journalist Gerrick Kennedy. “The lineup reflects his personal tastes and these are artists he usually has relationships with (Tyler asked Drake to do it as a favor). The disrespect is astounding.”
“Bunch of ungrateful (expletive) ruined it not only for myself, but I’m sure for Drake and Tyler also because that man didn’t even say bye and thanks like he always does,” lamented @Chris_Alcocer1.
Others had jokes. User @grovymango referenced Keke Palmer’s “sorry to this man” meme.
“Why are you booing me? I’m ‘???’” another meme joked.
