August Alsina Posts Photo Claiming AMA Mic Was Sabotaged

After August Alsina‘s inaugural appearance at the 2016 American Music Awards last Sunday (November 20), the R&B singer was left hurt and confused. During the live performance of the Major Key track “Do You Mind” with DJ Khaled, Nicki Minaj, Future, and Rick Ross, Alsina experienced technical difficulties with his microphone, but to the viewers, it looked like he was lip-syncing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7WIxfJBjRg

Initially, it seemed as if he was able to shrug it off, but according to a recent Instagram post, he’s clearly still upset. Alsina says he learned his mic’s audio was purposely nixed. The post features a screenshot of a text message thread from an unidentified person alleging the AMA tech staff was given instructions not to run his mic to live television.

“Woke up to this message,” the caption begins. “This Has bothered my spirit for the longest time, I’m more confused than yesterday. Is it because I’m new and that was my first introduction to the AMA world? Is it because I’m black and you don’t know what to expect ? Is it because of my past that you may be trying to bind me to ? Or Is this pure hate and just to rob me of a moment? To make people think I’m lip syncing as if I’m not even a person who tries!”