Flying Lotus has apologised after speaking in defence of The Gaslamp Killer following rape allegations made against the producer.
The Gaslamp Killer – real name William Benjamin Bensussen – was recently accused of sexual assault by a Twitter user, who described an alleged incident that she says took place at a party at a Los Angeles hotel in July 2013. The individual claimed that Bensussen (pictured below) “drugged and raped” her and her best friend at the party.
Bensussen has denied the allegations, responding in a statement that he would “never drug a woman” and claiming that the sexual encounter had been consensual. “Please know that while I am shocked, I take this all very seriously,” he said of the accusations.
Performing at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Saturday (October 14), experimental hip-hop producer Flying Lotus – who has previously worked with Bensussen – closed his set with a Gaslamp Killer track and told the crowd: “The internet is a fucking liar. Ain’t nobody judge and jury but the fucking law, okay?”
Flying Lotus then added: “Thank you guys so much for coming, let truth and justice have its day.” See video of Flying Lotus making those comments here.
He has now apologised for his comments, telling HipHopDX: “I wanted to sincerely apologise for my comments at my show. I realise they were insensitive. This is a tough time for all of us, men and women. I’m having trouble finding my voice in all of this. I am truly heartbroken. My stage has always been a place for what’s in my heart until now. I feel as internet-wielding people we have to learn to give each other space to feel, to honour each other’s reactions and experiences without bullying. I care about this community and its impact so much.”
You can read more about the allegations levelled at Gaslamp Killer and his response below:
i've been silently suffering over this for many years. the gaslamp killer drugged and raped my best friend and myself 4 years ago pic.twitter.com/yvJM5HEJay
— chelsea (@chelseaelaynne) October 13, 2017
My response to @chelseaelaynne ‘s letter below. pic.twitter.com/6Zgfq0cOn7
— G L K (@GASLAMPKILLER) October 13, 2017