The British-based podcast ShxtsNGigs, hosted by James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu, has come under fire for controversial remarks made during their American tour, particularly in Atlanta. While appearing on the Pour Minds podcast, the two hosts claimed there were “no baddies” in Atlanta, a comment that many found both disrespectful and absurd. Atlanta, often seen as a Black cultural epicenter, has long been home to the very aesthetic they dismissed. The remark was not only tone-deaf but stung even more as it was made on a podcast hosted by two Black women from Atlanta, further underscoring the disconnect.

The controversy deepened when another clip surfaced, showing Duncan and Dawodu sitting passively as Andrew Schulz, a comedian notorious for inflammatory comments, described Black women as “abusive” and “exhaustive.” Rather than challenge Schulz, the hosts laughed along, signaling a tacit endorsement of his remarks. For many, their silence and complicity in that moment were more damaging than their earlier misstep in Atlanta. Schulz’s comments fed into long-standing racist and misogynistic stereotypes, and Duncan and Dawodu’s failure to defend Black women sparked outrage.

This backlash has been particularly significant because ShxtsNGigs had garnered a following among Black women who felt the podcast was a rare space of humor and cultural reflection where they were not the target of disparagement. The hosts’ Atlanta comments, combined with their inaction during Schulz’s tirade, have led many to question the safety and inclusivity of a podcast they once trusted. In a city celebrated for its strong influence on Black culture, particularly the “baddie” aesthetic rooted in AAVE, such dismissive remarks struck a deeply personal chord for many listeners.

What could have been shrugged off as ill-considered humor has instead revealed deeper fissures in how Black women are treated in media spaces. The hosts’ behavior has brought to light the ongoing issue of misogynoir, where Black women are often dismissed or disrespected in spaces they helped cultivate. For ShxtsNGigs, this controversy could mark a turning point, as listeners increasingly demand accountability and respect from the media figures they support.