Kid Cudi has removed M.I.A. from his Rebel Ragers Tour after backlash over comments she made onstage during a recent concert in Dallas.
At the tour’s stop at Dos Equis Pavilion on Saturday, M.I.A. addressed the crowd with remarks that quickly sparked criticism online.
According to Variety, the rapper said, “I’ve been canceled for many reasons. I never thought I would be canceled for being a brown Republican voter.” She also told concertgoers she would not perform her song “Illegal” because “there’s probably one in the crowd.”
After receiving complaints from fans, Kid Cudi announced on social media that M.I.A. would no longer appear on the tour.
I WROTE ILLYGAL ON THE MAYA LP A SONG FROM 2010.
— M.I.A. ⊕ II II II (@MIAuniverse) May 4, 2026
I STARTED THIS INTRO TO THE SONG WITH THE STATEMENT SAYING I'M ILLYGAL, AND I SAID MY TEAM HASN'T GOTTEN VISAS YET. THEN PLAYED A SONG THAT HAD LYRICS SAYING "FU&% THE LAW", WHICH I STILL BELIEVE, IF THE LAW IS UNJUST F@%& IT.
DO… https://t.co/3xZk2OTBMb
“TOUR UPDATE: M.I.A is no longer on this tour,” he wrote. “I told my management to send a notice to her team before we started tour that I didn’t want anything offensive at my shows.”
The rapper continued, “After the last couple shows, I’ve been flooded with messages from fans that were upset by her rants. This, to me, is very disappointing and I wont have someone on my tour making offensive remarks that upsets my fanbase.”
M.I.A. later responded on X, defending herself and referencing songs including “Borders,” “Illygirl” and “Paper Planes.”
“Do not gas light my words,” she wrote. “I’ve had these battles by myself without the help of millions of fans backing me.”
The Rebel Ragers Tour resumes Wednesday in Atlanta with a replacement opener expected.
