Al Sharpton blasts rapper Travis Scott for planning Super Bowl performance

Rev. Al Sharpton joined a chorus of critics who are blasting rapper Travis Scott for agreeing to perform with Maroon 5 during the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. Scott's appearance is a slap in the face to the Black Lives Matter movement and the so-called “take a knee" practice during football games, critics claim.

What were his comments?

"I think anyone that goes into the halftime show is in effect directly violating those that want to raise the question that the NFL should come to terms with what they have done and continue to do to Colin Kaepernick and those that protest on criminal justice issues," Sharpton said in a video posted by TMZ.

"You can't tell people to stand for those that take a knee and don't go to the games and then say 'but somebody ought to perform there and entertain.' You're drawing TV viewers, you're bringing supporters, and I think that you can't have it both ways," he added. "You can't help people market something and then turn around and say you agree with the people protesting."

Sharpton also mentioned other artists who have refused to perform at the halftime show with Maroon 5, including Cardi B, Rihanna. In 2017, Jay-Z turned down an invitation to perform at the Super Bowl.

Sharpton went on to call Scott a hypocrite.

"I think he should do what a lot of other major artists have done. Say 'I'm not going to participate,'" Sharpton told TMZ. "You can't fight against Jim Crow and then go sit in the back of the bus."

What is the impact on Maroon 5?

Maroon 5 has had difficulties finding artists to perform with them during the halftime show. The reason is many artists are boycotting the NFL because of its treatment of players that take a knee during the national anthem. The players participating in the protest have said kneeling during the anthem is a statement about what they describe as racial injustice in the country.