Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Isaiah Rashad addresses apparent sex tape leak during Coachella performance

‘I see all the messages and all the positivity... Y’all kept me alive these last couple of months,’ rapper said

Peony Hirwani
Monday 18 April 2022 08:35 BST
Comments
Isaiah Rashad addresses his apparent sex tape leak during his Coachella performance

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Isaiah Rashad kicked off his Coachella performance with a video montage addressing speculation about a sex taped that was leaked online earlier this year.

The original video footage showed two men having sex, with social media users claiming Rashad was in the video.

While the 30-year-old rapper did not comment on the authenticity of the video at the time or comment on his sexuality, he opened his Coachella show with a compilation of people including Joe Budden, The Game, DJ Akademiks and suggesting that an attempt to out him had backfired and only got him more support.

“The purpose of doing that was to embarrass him,” one person says in the video. “However, it backfired. When his video leaked, his streams and everything went up. He’s up on the charts now.”

Another person said: “I’m glad that he can finally be himself.”

Soon after the montage, Rashad entered the stage and thanked his fans who “kept [him] alive these last couple of months”.

“I see all the messages and all the positivity... Y’all kept me alive these last couple of months,” he said.

Rashad released his album The House Is Buring in July last year. The album features many top artists such as 6LACK, SZA, Lil Uzi Vert, and Smino.

You can follow live updates from Coachella, where day three is currently underway, here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in