'Loser b*tch': US rapper Azealia Banks attacks two-time Eurovision winner Loreen

After being dropped by Milkshake Festival, controversial US rapper Azealia Banks has attacked two-time Eurovision winner Loreen through social media posts.

Banks has now spent two days posting derogatory comments towards the Swedish pop artist, which need some context to make some sense of it all.

What is the background to this?

Azealia was initially announced in the line-up for Amsterdam’s electronic, queer-inclusive Milkshake Festival.

Only two days after the announcement, she was dropped from the show after public outcry over previous anti-LGBTIQ+ commentary.

Although Azealia Banks herself identifies as queer she has posted and attacked other members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Initially, the Milkshake Festival organisers promised Azealia would be “serving C*NT”, but the social media post was flooded by comments.

Fans felt that Banks's appearance didn't align with the festival's queer-inclusive approach.

After pressure the Milkshake Festival announced that Azealia would be dropped:

“It is clear to us that we made a mistake and that we have overlooked essential information. We sincerely apologise for this. The safety of our visitors, our team, the artists, and crew will always be our main priority. Furthermore, we will assess our initial social media response for learnings and improvements.”

What does Loreen have to do with it?

This wasn’t the end of the drama that was unfolding with the festival.

Loreen was announced as an artist for the festival after Azealia was dropped.

Azealia took to X over the weekend to attack this decision.

"Milkshake festival cancelled my performance... citing me and hate speech and the need for INCLUSIVITY," she tweeted.

"Just to end up choosing some weird Clas Ohlson version of Feist looking loser b*tch from Eurovision - who is staunchly anti-Semitic, even going so far as to refuse giving Israel their trophy - as if some fucking Israelis singing a song in a competition is at all connected to an 80 year old conflict."

(All quotes are as Banks tweeted, including any errors.)

Now you're probably thinking two things. What or who is Clas Ohlson and Feist and what does Israel have to do with this?

Well, Clas Ohlson is a Swedish home improvement chain and mail-order firm and Feist is a Canadian music artist.

The Israel connection is a little more complicated.

What does Israel and Palestine have to do with this?

Months after Azealia’s removal, other artists decided to withdraw from the Milkshake Festival due to matters around Palestine.

KKR, a global investment firm that purchased the company Superstruct, owns the Milkshake Festival.

Activists have claimed connections between KRR and Israel's military.

The criticism stems from its investments in companies with ties to the Israeli defence sector.

Activist group Ravers for Palestine, campaigned for artists to pull out “in solidarity with Palestinians and other Indigenous peoples impacted by KKR’s investments.”

Banks has claimed that Loreen is hypocritical while also attacking the singer's appearance.

"So Milkshakmonthe had the white ass nerve to try and make an example out of a queer black female music icon. To hire some ugly anti-Semitic Swedish bitch name loreen- who clearly has selective outrage because —- those eurovision contestants are surely not involved in funding the development of weapons used in Gaza," she posted.

"She should remain consistent with her outrage , drop off of milkshake festival since they are connected to kkr, and go apologize to those Israeli Eurovision contestants."

Earlier this month, Banks declared on her X account that she was "a Zionist."

Attacks continue

After criticism about her posts, Banks doubled down on her stance and attacks.

"Awwww. I feel bad that the loreen girl thinks she’s like important enough to be the focus - but the focus is really on superstruct," she posted.

"You’re {Loreen] still not the factor here sis, yea you sho iz ugly - but I’m a giant and am certainly aiming way above your head… Sorry for the misunderstanding"

She explained she wasn't for the boycott and called out Loreen about apparently bullying Israel for winning Eurovision.

Israel has not won Eurovision since 2018.

"For the record - I am not part of the boycott KKR crowd at all lol. Honestly who gives a fuck… But bitches gotta stand on that performative activism," she posted.

"You can’t be looking like Sevdaliza and Jeff Bhaskers secret love child and bullying the caroling Israelis for winning a competition. Lmfao that ain’t cool."

The last two winners of Eurovision have been Switzerland and Austria. Not Israel.

Online abuse not new for Banks

Banks’ attacks on artists are not new. She has had many fall-outs with artists, journalists and fans over the years.

Her most notable fallouts include:

• Iggy Azalea (over cultural appropriation and race in hip-hop)

• Cardi B (whom she called a “caricature of a Black woman”)

• Nicki Minaj (with Banks making several shady comments about her authenticity)

• Lana Del Rey (resulting in a furious online exchange with threats of physical violence)

• Grimes and Elon Musk (accusing them of bizarre behaviour and outing alleged SEC violations)

• Zayn Malik (which involved racist insults and led to her Twitter suspension)

• Skai Jackson (after the Disney actress defended Zayn)

• RuPaul (over plagiarism claims)

• Beyoncé (accusing her of stealing ideas, despite previous praise)

• Russell Crowe (whom she accused of assault at a party).

Other targets of her criticism have included Lil' Kim, Angel Haze, T.I. and Tiny, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lizzo.

She has also consistently attacked Australian fans, promoters, media and others during any tours Down Under.

These repeated conflicts have made Banks a controversial figure in pop culture, often overshadowing her musical work.

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