Ghanaian Netizens reacts to Baphomet symbol projected at Black Sherif’s debut concert at Palladium, Times square, New York last weekend.
The reigning VGMA Act of the year, Black Sherif‘s debut gig at the Palladium in New York City has swirled up a wave of social media reactions coming after the projection of the Baphomet symbol during his performance.
The incident which took place at the highly expected concert on Saturday, May 20, 2023, drew a substantial crowd of fans and music junkies.
The Baphomet symbol, often associated with occultism and Satanic imagery, appeared on the backdrop of the stage while Black Sherif was delivering his captivating performance.
This surprising visual element which was disseminated via micro-blogging site on Monday, May 22, 203 has sparked a flurry of discussions and debates on the social media channel, with fans expressing their surprise, confusion, and concern over its inclusion in the concert.
Ghanaian PR expert and MC, Portfoliothemc who shared the video online questioned the rationale behind the move but was quick to suggest that it was just ‘Art’
“Freedom of religion and association but I hope this is just “ART” mask👹🙏🏾🙏🏾 BLACKO may be aware and understands what the USA organisers did and his management may be aware too. If it’s a strategy to get the world talking too I hope it’ doesn’t appear spiritually expensive 🙏🏾congrats,” he tweeted
Many netizens have taken to social media to share their opinions and reactions to the incident.
Some expressed their disappointment, wording that they anticipated a different kind of visual presentation and were taken aback by the use of such controversial symbolism.
Others assumed the probable intents behind the inclusion of the Baphomet symbol, suspecting whether it was a deliberate artistic choice or a technical error.
“Was thinking same that it may be just art,” a Twitter user commented
Proponents of Blacko have also mobilized to protect the fast-rising act, underscoring the necessity to detach the symbol from his lyrical skill and dexterity.
Radio host, Erskine Amo Whyte added his two cents to the debacle online. He wrote, “Portfolio my brother, trust me eh!! Spiritually, this can never be more expensive than the power God has put in the boy’s brand! Ah, you think God can be defeated by a picture of his opp? The Almighty God we know? Kai! We didn’t see the speed he put the boy on. It is art p3!”
They argued that the inclusion of the symbol might have been intended as a thought-provoking element rather than an endorsement of any particular belief system.
“So you guys still don’t realize this Artwork is to depict his album ‘The VILLAIN I never was’? So this is to represent a Villian Not any Baphomet,” another netizen user contended.
As the information of the Baphomet symbol projection proceeds to circulate, it has also kindled a wider discourse about artists who have been correlated to occultic groups and societies including the likes of Jay Z, Kanye West and Rihanna as well as the consequence of such rumours on their family and friends.
Meanwhile, Blacko and his management have gone damper on the occurrence and it remains to be seen how this happening will impact Black Sherif’s career and the perception of his music or the effect of visual elements on audience understanding.
