During a virtual meeting hosted on Wednesday, DaBaby apologized and also listened as the awareness organization leaders spoke about living with H.I.V. and touched on the miseducation that impacts communities.

On Wednesday, DaBaby met with a group of nine H.I.V. organizations following the recent homophobic comments he made during his set at Rolling Loud Miami. 

The purpose of the conversation was “to discuss HIV facts and share personal stories of living and thriving with HIV,” reads a press release from the organizations. During the discussion with the rapper who’s been receiving flack due to his comments, Black leaders discussed personal stories and how they’re currently living with H.I.V. and also thriving. These same leaders and others from well-known organizations wrote an open letter on August 4 calling for a meeting with the North Carolina-bred artist. 

 “At a time when HIV continues to disproportionately impact Black Americans and queer and transgender people of color, a dialogue is critical,” the open letter read. “We must address the miseducation about HIV expressed in your comments, and the impact it has on various communities.”

In the past month, DaBaby has been removed from numerous concert lineups and has also received critique from artists who disagree with the comments he made while on stage. Additionally, while at Hot 97’s Summer Jam, he touched on the issues that have followed his public outburst. Prior to that appearance in New Jersey, he posted an apology on his Instagram, but it was taken down shortly after it was posted. 

Per a press release, the nine organizations shared the following:

“The open letter to DaBaby was our way to extend him the same grace each of us would hope for. Our goal was to ‘call him in instead of calling him out.’ We believed that if he connected with Black leaders living with HIV that a space for community building and healing could be created. We are encouraged he swiftly answered our call and joined us in a meaningful dialogue and a thoughtful, educational meeting.”

The statement also expressed that during the meeting DaBaby was “genuinely engaged” and that he apologized for the “inaccurate and hurtful comments” he previously made. He also “received personal stories and the truth about HIV and its impact on Black and LGBTQ communities with deep respect,” read the statement. “We appreciate that he openly and eagerly participated in this forum of Black people living with HIV, which provided him an opportunity to learn and to receive accurate information.”

Days ago, DaBaby made an appearance on-stage at Kanye West's third and final Donda event in Chicago where "Jail Pt. 2," a track featuring him rang off at Soldier Field. In the initial debut of the song, Jay-Z appeared.

In DaBaby's version he addresses the issues stemming from his Rolling Loud Miami set that have been shaking up his world:

"I said one thing they ain't like, threw me out like they ain't care for me/Threw me out like I'm garbage, huh?/And that food that y'all took off my table/You know that feed my daughters, huh? (Mmm)/But I ain't really mad, 'cause when I look at it/I'm getting them snakes up out my grass and, ****, that's a good habit/I'm ready for war, let's get at 'em."

The following organizations were present for the virtual meeting held on Wednesday:  Black AIDS Institute, Gilead Sciences COMPASS Initiative Coordinating Centers, GLAAD, National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), The Normal Anomaly Initiative, Positive Women’s Network-USA, Prevention Access Campaign (U=U), the Southern AIDS Coalition,  and Transinclusive Group.

Stay tuned here as more news emerges.