Chuck D Accuses Bill Cosby Critics of "Character Assassination": "Akin to Nazi Book-Burning"

11:40 AM PDT 7/12/2015 by Mitchell Peters, Billboard

Chuck D - S 2015
AP Images

Chuck D - S 2015

"Phil Spector still plays," the hip-hop star tweeted Sunday about the music producer who was convicted of murder in 2009.

Chuck D shared his thoughts about the Bill Cosby sexual assault controversy on social media over the weekend.

The hip-hop legend and Public Enemy co-founder suggested to his nearly 500,000 Twitter followers that Cosby's legacy shouldn't be destroyed because of the numerous rape allegations against him.

"No way I'm defending Cosby. But this wiping history out wit a swoop is akin to Nazi book burning," he wrote.

Chuck D likened the situation to super-producer Phil Spector, who was convicted of killing actress Lana Clarkson in 2009. Even though Spector is serving 19 years to life, people still listen to the music he produced.

"Context is everything," the rapper tweeted. "Phil Spector still plays."

But not everyone agreed with Chuck D's feelings about the matter. "Cosby's so-called legacy SHOULD be erased bcuz, now we cant laugh at reruns KNOWING he was RAPING girls at the SAME TIME," one Twitter user wrote.

Another tweeted, "Chuck D going to bat for Cosby making my head hurt."

Check out a sampling of his tweets below.

This story first appeared on Billboard.com.