A Mississippi news anchor has been on the air since she used a catchphrase popularized by Snoop Dogg.
Barbie Bassett, a longtime broadcaster and meteorologist at Jackson’s WLBT station, dropped the “Fo’ shizzle my nizzle” line during a discussion about the rapper’s wine business on March 8, according to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger.
The phrase comes from fellow rapper E-40’s use of an “izzle” suffix, Dictionary.com noted, and refers in part to a racial epithet.
Bassett, who has not posted on her Facebook page since March 8, no longer appears on the news station’s website, the Clarion Ledger noted.
WLBT CEO Ted Fortenberry, in a message to the Clarion Ledger, wrote that the station “cannot comment on personnel matters.”
Bassett’s absence comes after he made a controversial comment about a black reporter’s grandmother in October. Bassett apologized for the “insensitive and hurtful” comment and said it was not intentional.
WLBT announcer Howard Ballou, before apologizing, noted that the station had “significant internal conversations and discussions” following Bassett’s remark.
HuffPost could not immediately reach WLBT or Bassett for comment.
