Earlier this month, two of the kids who had gone to the Maryland date of Diplo’s Mad Decent Block Party festival died of drug-related issues, and many more were hospitalized. As a result, festival organizers have tightened up the rules for the remaining dates, and one of the things that has been banned is Kandi, the bright beaded jewelry that has become a rave staple. The ban has enraged some ravers online, who don’t feel that the jewelry has anything to do with drugs or drug culture. And as Radio.com points out, Diplo has responded to that criticism in a Twitlonger post. Here’s what he writes:

So… I never wear Kandi and I understand it’s not drug related culture inherently .. We just had serious issues with kids hiding it .. and there was a definite relationship between safety and security and made it so we had to ban certain items. We have teamed up w dancesafe .. Cooperated w police and medics to really handle the last three parties and We have set up free water stations at all the mdbp .. All I care about is people coming to enjoy music and have a safe and good time.. Everything else is secondary .. I would trade 100 thousand angry ravers to have 100% safe and happy street parties when we started it on philly 6 years ago.

So it’s all good if your into whatever your into we just implement these rules for you.. Not against you … This is just a simple set of rules we are using to make things safer… I’m sorry of they affect you or keep you from coming..All over the world kids and woman getting killed right now over beliefs, this is silly to get angry over .. If it bothers you just don’t attend I’m down for anything positive but this doesn’t affect our parties too much … Im not the promoter, I actually had nothing to do with the rules being implemented but i do agree with my team.. And cause of who I am.. I’m the de facto speaker.. I have thick skin so u guys that consider yourself plur can attack me all you want it doesn’t bother me.. I’m just here for the music.

It’s worth noting that L.A.’s HARD Fest has banned Kandi for years.