Rapper B.o.B insists earth is flat, takes on astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson
Date
January 27, 2016 - 10:10AM
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Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Neil deGrasse Tyson. Photo: Think Inc
People at one time did not have the privilege of seeing a famous rapper debate a famous astrophysicist about whether the earth was flat. We are deprived no more.
Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., a Grammy-nominated rapper-singer better known as B.o.B, released a “diss track” on Monday aimed at the noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson after the two had argued on Twitter about the shape of the planet.
The earth, it should be mentioned, is not flat, according to centuries of scientific consensus. The 27-year-old rapper, who has more than 2 million followers on Twitter, argued otherwise on Sunday, saying that there was a cross-governmental conspiracy. He posted several photos showing flat horizons.
Rapper B.o.B has doubts about accept science.
Rapper B.o.B has doubts about accept science. Photo: Facebook/B.o.B
After the tweets attracted widespread attention on Monday, Tyson responded.
Unconvinced, the rapper released a song to defend his stance (a warning: the lyrics contain vulgar language). The track includes a direct shot at Tyson: “Aye, Neil Tyson need to loosen up his vest/They’ll probably write that man one hell of a check.”
It also implores listeners to “Do your research on David Irving,” who is a Holocaust denier, and claims “Stalin was way worse than Hitler.”
Because of his musical success, B.o.B’s support of the flat-earth pseudoscience had a great reach. He has enjoyed a rapid ascent to fame since his 2010 debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, went gold. It included “Nothin’ on You”, which topped Billboard’s charts, and “Airplanes,” which hit No. 2.
On Twitter, Tyson appeared to suggest that he was a fan of B.o.B’s sound, if not his science.
New York Times
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