In March 2023, Barbie Bassett, a long-time WLBT journalist and meteorologist, was fired from her morning anchor position using Snoop Dogg’s phrase “fo shizzle, my nizzle” during a live broadcast. Bassett was discussing Snoop Dogg’s new wine collection. The last part of the phrase is a racial epithet for Black people.
Bassett’s remark caused a frenzy on social media. Let’s find out the complete story behind the anchor fired from her position.
Who is Barbie Bassett?
Bassett is a former WLBT’s chief journalist and meteorlogist. She held the position for more than 50 years and was fired on 8 March 2023 for making racially insensitive comments during a live broadcast.
Bassett has a bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from Mississippi College. Then, she went to Mississippi State University, where she received a Master of Science degree in Broadcast Meteorology.
Throughout her career, Bassett received plenty of awards and accolades. An American Meteorological Society granted her the Seal of Approval. Bassett has also been awarded Best Weathercast by the Associated Press several times.
Why was Barbie Bassett Fired From her Morning Anchor Position?
8 March 2023 was the day a long-time WLBT anchor and meteorologist was fired from the network. One of her colleagues, Clarion Ledger, reported that Bassett is no longer a member of the WLBT news team.
The reason behind Bassett being removed from the news channel was when she found herself in controversy for saying a racially inappropriate phrase, “fo shizzle, my nizzle,” during a live broadcast.
The phrase focuses on a new variety of wines from Snoop Dogg’s Snoop Cali Blanc wine collection. It is a racial epithet for black people.
The Vice President and General Manager of WLBT, Ted Fortenberry, broke the silence on the controversy and claimed WLBT could not comment on personnel matters.
What does Snoop Dogg’s Phrase “Fo Shizzle, My Nizzle” Actually Mean?
It is a slang expression often used to describe “for sure, my friend” in an informal way. Famous American rapper Snoop Dogg popularized the phrase by using it to express affirmation playfully.
In association with hip-hop music, the phrase expresses the slang, “For sure, my n**ga. In the slang, for sure is an idiom that means undoubtedly and certainly. On the other hand, my nizzle translates to my n**ga.
In the 1990, the practice of using nizzle was first popularized by Northern California. An American rapper E-40, famously known as the King of Slang was the first to start using the -izzle suffix.
While performing his song “Rapper’s Ball” in 1996, E-40 used the slang “fo’ shizzle” as a feature of African American vernacular English.
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Barbie Bassett has also Made Some Racially Offensive Remarks Before
Last October, Bassett was again in trouble for using the racially offensive term grandmammy while arguing with an African-American reporter during a live broadcast.
The phrase means slave children calling their mother mammy and addressing their grandmother as grandmammy.
The slang mammy is a racially-charged stereotype used to refer to African-American mothers who cared for Caucasian children.
After realizing her mistake, Bassett apologized for her remarks and admitted that her statement was insensitive and hurtful. However, she was not removed from her position at that time as she apologized for her actions.
But this time, things are different, and she has remained missing from the network.
Where is Barbie Bassett Now, and What is She Doing with Her Life?
After her immediate and abrupt absence from her morning anchor position in WLBT, Bassett has announced joining the Hometown Rankin Magazine team. The magazine confirmed the news that Bassett has officially joined their team.
However, they are excited and thrilled to have her on board.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Happened to Barbie Bassett?
On 8 March 2023, Bassett was removed from her morning anchor position in WLBT for using a racially offensive phrase, “fo shizzle, my nizzle.”
2. Is Barbie Bassett Returning Back to WLBT?
It is still unknown whether Bassett will make a comeback to the news network. However, news also came out that she has now joined the Hometown Rankin Magazine team.
3. What does “Shizzle my Nizzle” mean?
The phrase “Shizzle my nizzle” is a playful, slang way of saying “for sure, my friend” or “absolutely, my friend.” It’s part of a unique style of speech that became popular in hip-hop and urban communities.
4. Who popularized this type of slang?
Rapper Snoop Dogg is widely credited with popularizing this style of slang in the early 2000s. He frequently used this speech pattern in his music and public appearances, making it a recognizable part of his brand.
5. Is “Shizzle my Nizzle” still used today?
While the phrase saw its peak popularity in the early 2000s, it’s still recognized and used, though often in a humorous or nostalgic context. Its usage has declined as language trends have evolved.
6. What is the origin of this slang style?
This style of altering words originated from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and was later adopted and popularized in hip-hop culture. It’s a linguistic phenomenon where parts of words are replaced or augmented to create a unique dialect or sociolect.
7. Can “Shizzle my Nizzle” be considered offensive?
Context and intent are critical. In some contexts, the phrase might be seen as appropriative or disrespectful when used by those outside the culture that popularized it. However, within specific communities and contexts, it’s used as a term for camaraderie or humour.
Wrapping Up
That’s all we have regarding Barbie Bassett, fired from the news network for using a racially offensive phrase, “fo shizzle, my nizzle.” She is still absent from her position, but thankfully, she got her new job at Hometown Rankin Magazine.
We hope Bassett will do well in her new position and not get into another controversy in the future.
