Drake took to social media Friday to deny he told a female fan at a recent concert to remove her Muslim head covering.
"I am well aware of what a hijab is and I would never make a disrespectful comment like that in my life towards someone who is wearing one,” the Canadian rapper said in a message on Instagram.
Some fans were outraged at what they perceived as Drake’s anti-Islam remarks during a concert in London.
In video of the interaction, the rap superstar is heard saying: “I see you four girls right there … You got on that hot ass scarf right there. You might wanna take this off. You gotta turn this muthaf**ker up. You gotta come out of that s**t.”
Even though it’s impossible to see who Drake was addressing, outrage — and #boycottdrake quickly spread on social media.
In his statement, Drake said he was talking to a woman in the crowd who was wearing a jacket and a winter scarf.
“I made a comment about taking off the scarf because I enjoy a friendly banter with the fans,” he said.
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“I make a point every night to end my shows on tones of unity and love so, to find out that I am being utilized in a fake media story about me disrespecting Muslims is devastating to me.”
Drake added: “I am proud that my closest friends and fans come from all different religions and races, perhaps whoever made up this story should spend more time learning about other cultures and less time trying to divide us.”
At a concert only a few nights earlier, Drake lashed out at “people trying to tear us apart [and] people trying to make us turn against each other.”
He said: “F**k that man!”
Drake's Boy Meets World Tour is in Europe until the end of March.
Read Drake's full statement below: