Editor’s Note (Updated May 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM):
Since this article was first published, new information has come to light suggesting that Ohm Lounge owner Billy Blatty may have been present at the venue on the night of the May 2 performance when the swastika shirt incident occurred. A Facebook post by Crista Rock includes a screenshot from Blatty’s private Instagram account showing him posing with Waka Flocka Flame on the same night. The post is captioned “Amazing performance” and tagged “Ohm Lounge at Barcadia.” While this does not definitively confirm that Blatty witnessed the specific performance in question, it strongly suggests he was at the venue at some point that evening. You can read our full follow-up report here.
Correction: An earlier version of this note incorrectly stated that we had confirmed the owner’s presence. While several eyewitnesses alleged they saw him there, these claims remained unverified at the time. We are continuing to seek comment. The body of the article has consistently treated the owner’s presence as an unconfirmed allegation, and we have now added context based on the new social media evidence.
Social media posts circulating on Facebook and Reddit allege that a man wearing a shirt with a swastika on the back was on stage during Waka Flocka Flame’s performance at Ohm Lounge at Barcadia on May 2. We have received credible reports that the individual wearing a swastika shirt on stage is a local rapper. Images and accounts from the night have raised concern among attendees and local residents.
According to multiple eyewitness reports posted online, the man was seen on stage while the performance was underway. Photos shared widely on social platforms appear to show the swastika clearly visible in the crowded venue. One post stated that efforts to have the man removed were unsuccessful, with staff allegedly refusing because the man was affiliated with Waka Flocka’s group. As of now, there has been no official confirmation of the man’s identity or whether he was an official member of the artist’s entourage.
Reddit user u/Flaky_Junket_5373 posted a screenshot of the incident, claiming their cousin attended the event and witnessed the man wearing the shirt. A Facebook user echoed the concern, writing: “Waka Flocka and his band played a show at Ohm Lounge and wore a shirt with a huge swastika on the back. Let that sink in.” Others expressed frustration that the venue did not intervene.
Waka Flocka Supporting Nazis
byu/Flaky_Junket_5373 inh3h3productions
One attendee, who asked to remain anonymous, described their direct interaction with the man on stage. “When we saw what the man was wearing, I made my way to the stage to talk to someone,” they wrote in a statement shared with Big Easy Magazine. “Many people were talking about it, and the vibe definitely changed once he started dancing on stage next to the DJ. Some people even cheered me on because they knew I was trying to do something about it.”
According to their account, the attendee reached the front of the stage and repeatedly asked the man, “Why are you wearing that?” but received dismissive responses like “What?” and “Huh?” “He could definitely hear me,” they said. After calling the man a troll and exchanging more words, security intervened but did not remove them from the venue.
“Once outside, security pulled me to the side to talk,” they continued. “He agreed that what the man was wearing was unacceptable but felt his hands were tied because he was a part of the artist’s entourage. I was allowed back inside, where I regrouped with my friends so we could leave together.”
Waka Flocka Flame has not directly addressed the incident. However, around the same time, he posted a photo on Instagram standing beside former President Donald Trump, with the caption: “If you don’t like me or don’t f with me based off my view then the love was never real…”
Ohm Lounge and Barcadia have not issued a public statement as of this writing. Big Easy Magazine has reached out for comment.
UPDATE: Since the publishing of this article, Ohm Lounge has released a statement condemning the incident.
The incident comes just days after a separate controversy in New Orleans involving a group of individuals that included some who were wearing Nazi imagery, and one of whom was photographed giving a Nazi salute on Bourbon Street. That individual was later fired from his job after the photo surfaced online, according to a report by Nola.com. Another individual in the group was yelling “white power.” The incidents have sparked broader discussions about the visibility and normalization of hate symbols in public spaces.
The swastika is recognized as a hate symbol and has been associated with Nazi ideology, antisemitism, and white supremacy. The Anti-Defamation League classifies it as one of the most widely recognized symbols of hate in the world.
This story is developing.
Editor’s note: As of 10:00pm, Ohm Lounge Ownership and Management has issued the following statement addressing the incident:
“Following last night’s Waka Flocka performance, we were made aware that a New Orleans-based co-performing artist wore apparel featuring a symbol widely recognized as one of hate and violence. This symbol has no place in our venue, our values, or our city. Notably, Waka Flocka’s manager, who is Jewish, was just as shocked and disturbed to learn how the situation unfolded online today.
At this time, we do not know the performer’s intent. The front of the shirt appears to reference political conflict and may have been meant as a form of satire. However, no explanation has been provided, and regardless of the message or purpose, wearing such a symbol in any context is deeply offensive and completely unacceptable.
Ohm Lounge stands firmly against hate, racism, antisemitism, inflammatory political statements, and all forms of discrimination. We regret that this occurred within our space and are taking immediate action to ensure it does not happen again. This includes updating our code of conduct, revising performance guidelines, and training our staff to better recognize and address attire or imagery that could be perceived as threatening, hostile, or divisive—regardless of intent.
We are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all.”
—Ohm Lounge Ownership and Management
Editor’s note: The story has been updated to describe a first-hand account of an interaction between the performer and an attendee. We’ve also included a statement from Ohm Lounge.
David Leslie and Jennsen Bentley contributed to this report.
