End It frontman Akil Godsey has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding the so-called “banana man incident.” He addressed the backlash in a statement shared on Instagram. The incident occurred at a Toronto show where End It was opening for Terror. A concertgoer in a banana costume was singled out from the stage, with Godsey offering the band’s setlist to whoever tore apart the costume.
Godsey responded directly to critics who expressed disappointment in him. He pushed back firmly against what he described as racism, death threats, and misplaced assumptions about the band’s character.
“The funniest thing to come out of all this is people telling me they were disappointed in me when the first song I ever wrote for this band is called ‘Give Up,’ which is where I instruct people to walk into the woods and commit suicide,” Godsey said. “You’ve obviously not been listening to the band, and I don’t know what the fuck you thought was going on over here.”
He went on to address those questioning his conduct, making clear that outside validation holds no weight for him.
“We’re a hardcore band, we do hardcore things,” he continued. “You don’t have to come over here, you don’t have to pay attention to me at fucking all. Everyone in my life loves me very much; I’m very well taken care of, I do not need your attention, or validation. I’ll be just fine. If the band gotta quit, so be it… I guess I’ll go to work. I’m a fully functioning adult male, I’ll be just fine.”
Godsey also took aim at those he felt were operating on assumptions rather than facts.
“There’s more to life than whatever the fuck you think’s going on over here,” he said. “You don’t know what’s going on over here, we haven’t spoken in ages. You’re living off of assumptions. Don’t assume; my parents taught me that. But have fun with the life you’ve made for yourself.”
He closed his statement with a pointed farewell directed at those who sent racist messages and threats.
“Thanks for the racism and death threats and dissertations,” Godsey said. “It’s all been very taxing. I’m gonna go raise my child now. Peace.”
The incident unfolded during End It’s set at the Toronto venue. The banana costume-wearing concertgoer became the focal point of a tense moment between the band and the crowd. From the stage, Godsey called the fan out directly and instructed the audience to turn on him. The crowd was encouraged to physically strip the costume from the attendee. The offer of the band’s setlist served as an incentive, escalating what might otherwise have been a passing moment into a full confrontation.
The episode quickly spread across social media. Footage and commentary circulated widely on platforms including TikTok, where clips of the incident drew significant attention and divided opinion. Many viewers sided with Godsey, framing the banana costume as a racially charged provocation in the context of a show headlined by a Black-fronted hardcore act. Others criticized the band’s handling of the situation, arguing that directing a crowd toward a single individual crossed a line regardless of intent.
End It is a Baltimore-based hardcore band known for their aggressive, confrontational style and politically charged lyrics. The group has built a dedicated following within the hardcore scene. Godsey has long been recognized as one of the genre’s more outspoken frontmen. The band’s catalog, including early tracks like “Give Up,” reflects a deliberately provocative artistic identity that Godsey has consistently leaned into throughout their career.
The Toronto show was part of a run of dates supporting Terror, one of hardcore’s most established acts. The pairing placed End It in front of large, mixed audiences, amplifying the visibility of the incident and the subsequent fallout. The racist comments and death threats Godsey referenced in his statement appear to have arrived in the days following the show’s footage going viral. They targeted him directly across social media platforms.
No further official statement from the band has been issued at this time.
