Rapper Patrik Vrbovský, known as Rytmus, faces sharp criticism from public figures and fans after publishing a promotional video that features him sitting in a wheelchair before standing up to throw away a bag of trash, according to reports from eXtra.cz. The sketch, which was intended to be humorous, drew immediate backlash from disability advocates and followers who called the premise offensive to individuals with physical disabilities.
The Controversial Video and Public Backlash
In the promotional clip detailed by eXtra.cz, Rytmus sits in a wheelchair while holding a garbage bag and heading toward a trash can. His associate, Tomáš Rajchl, prompts him during the journey by saying, “You can’t do that, bro.” The rapper then stands up from the wheelchair, limps to the trash bin, pulls it closer, and sits back down. Only at the very end does he attempt to throw the bag into the bin, ultimately missing. The video was accompanied by the caption “You can’t do that, no?”. According to eXtra.cz, while some viewers found the content amusing, a significant portion of the audience criticized the use of a wheelchair as the central punchline.
Response from Michaela Štiková and Personal Stakes
Opera and musical singer Michaela Štiková emerged as one of the harshest critics of the stunt, according to eXtra.cz. In a video published on her Facebook account, Štiková stated, “There is black humor and I really like intelligent black humor. And then there are things that are absolutely beyond the border and are at the absolute bottom of primitivism.” Štiková argued that the sketch crosses the line into mocking people with physical handicaps. Her reaction carries a deeply personal dimension, as her daughter Anežka lives with cerebral palsy and spastic triparesis following a massive brain hemorrhage before birth. Štiková and her husband subsequently founded the Anežka Foundation to assist families of children with physical disabilities. Addressing the rapper directly as a mother, Štiková said via eXtra.cz, “If you knew what it’s like to be in the skin of a parent who has a sick child. You have no idea what a huge pain it is.”
Allegations of Social Media Blocking and Follower Metrics
Štiková stated that she initially attempted to address the matter privately with the artist before facing digital restriction, according to eXtra.cz. “Even before Mr. Vrbovský blocked me on his Instagram, I didn’t write anything bad to him. I wrote him a really very polite message that it wasn’t nice,” Štiková claimed, as reported by eXtra.cz. She questioned whether the rapper sets a similar example for his own son and urged the public not to let such content pass without a reaction. Public metrics reflect an immediate fallout from the controversy; according to profile data cited by eXtra.cz, Rytmus’s Instagram follower count dropped from approximately 815 tisíc to roughly 814 tisíc following the backlash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rytmus do in the promotional video?
According to eXtra.cz, Rytmus appeared in a promotional video sitting in a wheelchair while carrying a trash bag, walked to a trash bin after being prompted by colleague Tomáš Rajchl, and attempted to throw the bag away while making the wheelchair use the punchline of a humorous sketch.
Who criticized the video?
Opera singer Michaela Štiková publicly criticized the video on Facebook, calling it a form of mockery toward individuals with physical disabilities, according to eXtra.cz. Numerous followers also posted critical comments expressing concern over the content.
How did the artist respond to the criticism?
According to eXtra.cz, Michaela Štiková stated that Rytmus blocked her on Instagram after she sent him a polite message expressing disapproval of the video.
Did the video affect his social media following?
Yes, data cited by eXtra.cz showed a decrease in his Instagram following from approximately 815 tisíc to around 814 tisíc users following the backlash.
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