Jemele Hill Asks Jake Paul If Nate Robinson Knockout Was Racist

BY Erika Marie 18.1K Views
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Jemele Hill, Cari Champion, Jake Paul, Nate Robinson, Boxing, Fight, Racist
She explained that it was a joke where she and her co-host were "trolling a troll with permission."

People were coming for Jemele Hill's head over an interview she and Cari Champion conducted with Jake Paul. The vlogger-turned boxer recently gained a victory after taking out Nate Robinson in a bout and he sat down for a virtual Vice interview with Jemele and Cari. During the segment, the ladies joked with Paul, asking him if his big win was a racist move.

"Jake, considering where we are in our racial conversations in America, was what you did to Nate Robinson racist?" asked Jemele. Cari chimed by laughing and adding, "That is the question of the week!" Jake took it in stride and with a smile on his face he said, "Nah, stop playin' with me, c'mon!"

Jemele made a quip about watching a White man knock out a Black man, and they all moved on from the moment to discuss the show-stealing moment. The public was quick to attack Jemele and Cari for their comments, and they both came forward on social media to say that it was planned in advance.

"Y’all, @jemelehill and I were trolling a troll with permission," Cari tweeted. "This wasn’t an interview with weight. It was sarcastic- y’all need context? Bc if y’all can’t hear the laughing, the bad WiFi connection- smh. So for the outraged! For more context Thurs. at 1130pm on @VICETV."

A Twitter user wrote that they believed it was a harmless question meant as a joke. Jemele replied that it was, adding, “I’m now laughing that people actually thought we were serious.” Check out the controversial question and a few blistering reactions below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.