The new habit of concertgoers hurling items at singers is mind-boggling in an age full with them.
In the previous few weeks, Bebe Rexha was almost knocked unconscious by a fan hurling a mobile phone at her head in New York, Harry Styles was struck with an unexplained item in Vienna, and Latto said “Want your a– beat?” to a similar projectile in Germany.
Cardi B, the newest victim of this distressing trend, showed her mettle again.
An audience member tossed a drink at the rapper when she performed her 2017 breakout song “Bodak Yellow” at Drai’s Beachclub. Cardi—a lefty—throws her microphone at the “fan” a second later.
After shouting profanities at the culprit, security led them away. Cardi exited.
This is not a new trend: In the 1970s, concertgoers set off firecrackers and M-80s, one of which seriously injured Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page’s right hand, and in 2004, a fan threw a lollipop at David Bowie, which lodged in his eye, prompting a profane reaction from the normally cool performer.
He replied, “Now we’ll have to do an even longer show,” and played for another two hours.
Nicolas Malvagna, the 27-year-old man who threw his phone at Bebe Rexha, thought “it would be funny,” according to a criminal complaint after his arrest on misdemeanour harassment and assault charges.