Potap responds to petition seeking to strip his title: ready to hand in “honored” in exchange for “people’s”

A petition demanding that rapper and producer Potap be stripped of the title “Honored Artist of Ukraine” has appeared on the Ukrainian president’s website.

The musician responded to the initiative on social media — with irony and a counter-proposal.

The petition was published on August 28. At the time of publication it had gathered 5,340 signatures. The authors of the initiative accuse the artist of publicly disrespecting the Ukrainian language and culture. The petition’s text claims that Potap promotes Russian as an alternative to Ukrainian and contributes to the expansion of its use.

The musician commented on the situation with irony, noting that, apparently, all other problems in the country have already been resolved and all that remains is to deal with his honorary title. He also stated that he is genuinely prepared to voluntarily give it up if that would help anyone, make people happier, bring victory closer, or restore their faith.

However, Potap called for the situation not to be turned into a “witch hunt” and urged people not to search for yet another artist who can be symbolically punished. In his words, Ukraine now needs unity and common sense.

At the same time, the rapper put forward his own condition: he is ready to hand in the title of honored artist in exchange for the title of people’s artist. Potap explained his proposal by saying that he considers himself a “people’s artist” regardless of any official decrees or certificates. According to him, the recognition was given to him by his listeners — through concerts, the popularity of his songs, packed venues, and two decades of shared history.

“It was not you who gave me the love of the people — so it is not yours to take away,” — the musician stated.

In closing, Potap urged Ukrainians to take care of one another, reminding them that the country still faces reconstruction, raising children, and a return to peaceful life. At this point, the matter concerns only a petition, not a decision that has been made to strip the artist of his honorary title.