Editor’s note: (Updated May 5, 2025 6:05PM): Since this article was first published, new evidence has surfaced suggesting that Ohm Lounge owner Billy Blatty was present at the venue on the night of the controversial performance. A Facebook post by Crista Rock includes a screenshot from Blatty’s private Instagram account, showing him posing with Waka Flocka Flame that same night. The caption reads “Amazing performance” and is tagged “Ohm Lounge at Barcadia.” While the post does not explicitly reference the performer who appeared on stage wearing a swastika, the timing and location strongly suggest that Blatty was in attendance at some point during the event. This development adds weight to the multiple eyewitness accounts that previously alleged his presence.
A day after Big Easy Magazine broke the story about a man wearing a swastika shirt on stage during Waka Flocka Flame’s May 2 performance at Ohm Lounge at Barcadia, new allegations have surfaced that the club’s owner, Billy Blatty, was present during the incident.
In a now-viral Facebook post, local advocate Crista Rock accused Blatty of being on-site during the performance and even standing near the performer wearing the Nazi symbol. Screenshots from social media appear to show Blatty in the crowd, and multiple eyewitnesses have begun corroborating that he was at the event.
“There are many people now saying that Billy himself was not only there that night, but standing next to the performer ‘Loudiene’ who was wearing the gigantic swastika on his back,” Rock wrote. “So let’s ask Billy if he was there. Billy… where were you that night?”
The claim casts serious doubt on Ohm Lounge’s public statement issued in response to the original controversy. In that statement, the venue said it was only “made aware” of the offensive apparel after the performance and committed to updating its policies and training staff to prevent similar incidents.
“We regret that this occurred within our space and are taking immediate action to ensure it does not happen again,” the statement read.
However, if the owner was present and did not act in real time, critics argue that the apology misrepresents the club’s response and damages public trust. The appearance of inaction, despite firsthand awareness, has triggered renewed calls for accountability.
Adding to the confusion, the venue’s statement claimed that Waka Flocka’s manager — identified as Jewish — was also shocked by the incident. But social media users quickly pointed out that Waka Flocka’s manager is widely known to be his mother, a fact supported by published interviews and public records.
As of this writing, neither Ohm Lounge nor Billy Blatty has publicly responded to the allegation that he was present during the May 2 performance. Big Easy Magazine has reached out for comment and will update this story if a response is received.
The incident follows another recent controversy involving a group of neo-Nazis visiting New Orleans just days earlier, one of whom was photographed giving a Nazi salute on Bourbon Street. That individual lost his job after the photo went viral, as reported by NOLA.com.
As public scrutiny over hate symbols in nightlife venues continues to grow, community members are demanding clarity, transparency, and accountability — not only from performers, but also from the people who profit from hosting them.
This story is developing.
David Leslie contributed to this report.
