Rapper ph-1 Under Fire For Not “Canceling” His Controversial Friend, Owen Ovadoz

Rapper ph-1 is receiving backlash following the release of a collaboration with his friend, rapper Owen Ovadoz.

On December 21, ph-1 released “ROSETTA Remix (Feat. lobonabeat!, Owen, BIG Naughty).” Many fans were not happy about Owen featuring on the song.

The former Show Me the Money contestant has made headlines for his numerous controversies. In 2017, Owen said, “I can’t stand white-skinned b*tches, I want to rape (them),” while allegedly drunk during a live stream. In an Instagram story, defended the so-called joke by stating that he had “no intention with whatever [he] said.” 

In 2020, Owen said he “doesn’t give a f*ck” about the Black Lives Matters movement during a livestream and later apologized.

oh i know thats not “acknowledge the struggles of black people?! like, why? why do i have to?" Owenpic.twitter.com/hPcYbCF8nY https://t.co/NJAYj0djY1

— paranoia? KAL day (@khipverse) December 18, 2023

Netizens accused Owen of profiting off of black culture through his music and called him out for his controversial comments.

I know what the campaign is, I don’t give a f**k man. I’m still making money — say I’m canceled, say I’m canceled more. There’s nothing you can do about it.

— Owen

Owen has also been criticized for his comments about underage girls…

cw:// owen saying fuck the blm campaign (first video) & talkin about “what if they underage?” (second video) https://t.co/KzgM5h12H0

— ???????????????? ???????????? (@shiyanasays) December 21, 2023

…and his inappropriate comments regarding ITZY‘s Ryujin. In 2021, the rapper said Ryujin’s rap was “birthed by [his] sperm.” 

Original comment: Honestly, I think our Ryujin unnie‘s rap is better than yours…
Owen: Yup. Her rap was conceived and birthed by my sperm.

Given Owen’s history, it’s not surprising that ph-1’s fans, and netizens in general, are not happy about ph-1’s decision to feature ph-1. In response to the backlash, ph-1 released a statement on X.

In it, he explained that although he doesn’t condone the things Owen has said or done, he isn’t going to “cancel” a friend. ph-1 apologized for letting fans down, stating that he could have made a “wiser PR move” but chose not to.

In the tweet’s comment section, hundreds of netizens have chimed in. Many find ph-1’s decision to standby Owen unacceptable and claim he needs to get his priorities in check.

yeah nah. if your “friend” admitted to hating black people while also having a career made from the same people and you have no problem with that, you got to get your priorities in check.

— jay (@primo_vzx) December 21, 2023

crazy how you see that your friend is a terrible person and you still want to be friends with them. I think that just shows more about YOUR character than anything else

— Seyi (@cb97Iife) December 21, 2023

This is not the first time ph-1 has found himself in hot water because of his friendships. The rapper previously received criticism for calling rapper Jay Park (@moresojuplease on Instagram) the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

ph-1 talks abt how hiphop in korea is dying and ppl are abandoning rap for mainstream
right after that he says hes tired of saying this all the time but give credit where due to jay park pic.twitter.com/KtbGBfB6fU

— iso (@jaysdiors) December 19, 2023

ph-1 talking abt some save the culture and on top of that saying jay park is the goat oh im grieving pic.twitter.com/olYF97dilF

— ♱ (@bynxtdoor) December 20, 2023

What are your thoughts?