Artists upset Colin Kaepernick verse was removed from ‘Madden’

When a Twitter user noted earlier on Thursday that a mention of Colin Kaepernick in Big Sean’s verse of YG’s Big Bank was edited out of the latest version of Madden, some were not too happy about the situation.

Here’s the edited verse, which should have included a mention of the free agent quarterback.

And some of the reactions.

Now, the two artists involved in the song are speaking out.

“YG is demanding answers from Madden and/or the NFL about why Colin Kaepernick’s name was censored from his song,” TMZ Sports reported.

Big Sean also took to the Twitterverse to air his grievances.

“It’s disappointing and appalling @NFL & @EA took @Kaepernick7’s name out of my verse on Big Bank for Madden 19, like it was a curse word,” the hip-hop artist noted. “When he’s not a curse, he’s a gift! Nobody from my team approved any of this.”

This could present a bit of a legal problem for the Madden franchise. If they did edit out lyrics from an original song without contacting the artists, it certainly is a problem.

According to Pro Football Talk, last year’s version of Madden also scrubbed a mention of Kaepernick in the song Bars of Soap from Mike WiLL Made-It

It’s not yet known who might be behind all of this. Kaepernick, who has not suited up since the 2016 season, is currently in a legal battle against the NFL, claiming that owners have colluded against him returning to the league.

Whether this plays a role in said case remains to be seen. Either way, it’s still rather interesting and those involved in it are none too happy.

Update: EA Sports has released a statement admitting a mistake. In a press release, the company notes it will add the Kaepernick verse to its update.