‘Boosie’ speaks out after controversial visit to Northside High
By Drakkar Francois
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LAFAYETTE, Louisiana (KADN) — Louisiana native rapper “Boosie” is speaking out on his controversial visit to Northside High School that apparently got the principal suspended.
News 15 spoke exclusively with Boosie about the visit. The rapper addressed the backlash surrounding his appearance at the school.
Northside Principal James Rollins has been placed on administrative leave following an appearance by the rapper at the campus. The Lafayette Parish School System declined to comment on the reasons for suspending Rollins.
Torrence Hatch, known by his stage name “Lil Boosie,” told News 15 he visited the school to inspire students and put smiles on their faces. The rapper said he only spoke words of encouragement to the students.
“I feel bad about it, man, because it was a genuine situation. All I did was said a few words to uplift the kids about life, about purpose, about things like that. I didn’t rap no music, nothing was rapped, all they did was played my music when I walked in. The kids enjoyed it. I just want to ask the person who is in charge to give this man a second chance, man,” ‘Boosie’ explained.
Hours before visiting Northside, he received a proclamation from St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard naming May 10 “Boosie Day.” The artist originally from Baton Rouge said he wanted to share that positive message with minority students at Northside.
Students were sitting in the gym anticipating his speech when he arrived. It remains unclear if his management team contacted the school before his arrival.
“He said, ‘Man give these kids a few words. A lot of these kids look up to you.’ The words I gave these kids, I can tell they were actually listening. I went in there and gave these kids what I have been through, what not to do, what not to do if you want to be somebody. So, I would tell the school board to give this man another chance. I would really stress that,” he added.
The rapper is now asking school officials to reinstate Rollins. It remains unclear if or when the suspension will be lifted.
The following is a statement from Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. regarding recent events on an LPSS high school campus:
“Lafayette Parish School System’s first priority is always the safety of our students and staff. LPSS approved a visit through our standard safety protocols and procedures by Lil Boosie to Carencro High School on Tuesday. A visit to another school campus that had not received prior approval from LPSS and did not follow standard approval standards is currently under review.”
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