No Homo: Hip-Hop & Its Fear of the Gay Rapper | Complex World

Summary

This video script explores the complex relationship between hip-hop culture and homophobia, highlighting the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ artists within the industry. It delves into the historical hyper-masculinity of hip-hop, the impact of AIDS on the community, and the struggle for acceptance. The conversation features personal anecdotes, the experiences of early out gay rappers like Bryan, and the evolving landscape with artists like Lil Nas X and Young Thug pushing boundaries. It emphasizes the need for understanding, open dialogue, and the power of creativity to drive social change.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The script discusses the history and presence of homophobia in hip-hop culture, suggesting it's deeply rooted in its DNA.
• 🌐 It highlights the impact of hyper masculinity in hip-hop and how it has been a barrier for openly gay artists, especially during the 90s.
• 🔍 The conversation brings up the 'hunt' for a gay rapper in the late 90s, which contributed to the fear and defensiveness within the community.
• 💔 The script touches on the tragic reality that being a homosexual male in hip-hop was considered the worst identity one could have, due to its association with weakness.
• 👥 It acknowledges that being a lesbian or bisexual might have been more tolerated in hip-hop due to male fantasies, without challenging traditional masculinity.
• 🎵 The script mentions early hip-hop's use of homophobic slurs and the tension it created, especially with the rise of a 'DL' (down low) culture during the AIDS crisis.
• 👗 It points out the double standards in hip-hop, where flamboyant styles were questioned less than actual declarations of being gay.
• 📻 The influence of media, like Wendy Williams' radio show, in perpetuating the witch-hunt for identifying a gay rapper is criticized.
• 🌈 The script celebrates the bravery of artists like Biggie, who used provocative language, and those like rapper Bryan, who were among the first to come out as gay.
• 🚀 It discusses the challenges faced by openly gay artists in gaining mainstream acceptance and the importance of talent over identity in the industry.
• 🔝 The script concludes with optimism about the future of hip-hop in terms of LGBT+ representation and the potential for change within the community.

Q & A

What was the initial experience of the speaker at a mall in Atlanta, Georgia?

The speaker felt uncomfortable and received negative comments and looks due to their appearance, which was perceived as not conforming to societal norms, indicating the struggle for acceptance in the hip-hop community.

Why is hyper masculinity often associated with hip-hop culture?

Hyper masculinity is rooted in the DNA of hip-hop culture, which has historically been associated with strength and toughness, often in contrast to homosexuality, which has been perceived as weakness or a threat to this image.

How did the AIDS crisis contribute to the DL (down-low) culture in the 90s?

The AIDS crisis led to many black gay men not coming out openly due to fear of rejection from their communities, which were often single-parent households and had strong views on homosexuality.

What was the impact of the 'hunt for the gay rapper' on the hip-hop community in the late 90s?

The hunt for the gay rapper created a hostile environment, with rappers feeling the need to defend their masculinity and resorting to hyperbole and gay bashing in their lyrics to avoid suspicion.

Why was being a homosexual male in hip-hop considered the worst thing during the mid-90s?

During the mid-90s, street hip-hop was associated with being tough and hard, and being gay was seen as being soft and weak, which was antithetical to the hip-hop image at the time.

What was the perception of female homosexuality or bisexuality in hip-hop compared to male homosexuality?

Female homosexuality or bisexuality was considered more acceptable because it fit into men's fantasies of being with two women, without challenging their own sexuality or masculinity.

What was the role of Wendy Williams in perpetuating homophobia in hip-hop during the 90s?

Wendy Williams, through her popular radio show, helped perpetuate the witch-hunt to find the gay rapper, creating a climate of fear and suspicion, and violating the principle of not outing people.

How did Kanye West address the issue of homophobia in hip-hop in a 2005 MTV News interview?

Kanye West admitted that everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people and called for his fellow rappers to stop using homophobic language, despite his own discomfort with being associated with homosexuality.

What challenges did rapper Bryan face as one of the first out gay male emcees in the early 2000s?

Bryan faced the challenge of authenticity in his music, as rapping about relationships with women would not have been genuine for him. He also had to deal with fear and apprehension about how his music would be received by the public.

What advice did the speaker give to young artists about expressing themselves authentically?

The speaker advised young artists to express themselves authentically without making excuses or proving points. They should do what they want to do because they want to do it, not because they feel they have to justify it to others.

How has the hip-hop community's attitude towards homosexuality evolved over time?

While there is still a long way to go, the hip-hop community has seen a shift with more artists like Lil Nas X and Young Thug openly challenging norms and expressing their identities, indicating a gradual acceptance and evolution in attitudes.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Hip-Hop's Struggle with Homophobia

This paragraph delves into the complex relationship between hip-hop culture and homophobia. It starts with a personal anecdote about feeling alienated in a mall food court, highlighting the hypermasculine and homophobic attitudes prevalent in the hip-hop community. The script discusses the historical context of hip-hop's roots in the late 90s and the 'hunt for the gay rapper' that emerged during the AIDS crisis. It also touches on the tension between the flamboyant style of some artists and the fear of being outed, leading to a culture of excessive masculinity and homophobic lyrics. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the difficulty of being an openly homosexual male in the hip-hop industry during the mid-90s.

05:01

🌟 The Impact of Media on Hip-Hop's Homophobia

This section focuses on the role of media, particularly radio personality Wendy Williams, in perpetuating homophobia within hip-hop by instigating a witch-hunt to out gay rappers. It describes the fear and threat this caused within the community, emphasizing the potential career-ending consequences for any artist exposed as gay. The paragraph also includes a reflection on Kanye West's comments on hip-hop's discrimination against gay people and his own discomfort when questioned about his sexuality, illustrating the deep-seated homophobia even among those who defend the LGBTQ+ community.

10:02

🏳️‍🌈 The Journey of an Openly Gay Rapper

The narrative shifts to the personal experience of rapper Bryan, one of the first openly gay male emcees in the early 2000s. It explores his struggle with identity and authenticity in his music, the decision to write about his reality as a gay man, and the fear of public reception. Bryan's story is a testament to the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ artists in gaining acceptance within the hip-hop community, despite the initial shock and intrigue his music generated among listeners and industry professionals.

15:03

🔄 Societal Perceptions and the Struggle for Acceptance

This paragraph examines societal perceptions of hip-hop artists, particularly the challenges faced by those who do not fit the stereotypical mold of a heterosexual black male. It discusses the automatic labeling and marginalization of artists based on their race, gender, or sexual orientation. The speaker shares his experiences with homophobia in the music industry and the mixed reactions his music received, from intrigue and support to discomfort and rejection. The paragraph also acknowledges the gradual changes in the hip-hop community, with artists like Lil Nas X and others pushing boundaries and gaining acceptance for their identities.

20:04

🌈 The Evolution of Hip-Hop and LGBTQ+ Visibility

The final paragraph reflects on the evolution of hip-hop culture and its increasing acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities. It discusses the importance of visibility and representation in media and the impact on the hip-hop community. The speaker expresses optimism for the future, highlighting examples of artists like Tyler the Creator and Young Thug who are challenging norms and embracing fluidity in their presentation. The paragraph concludes with a call for understanding and communication to address misunderstandings and foster a more inclusive hip-hop culture.

Keywords

💡Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop is a cultural movement that originated in the 1970s among African American and Latinx communities in the Bronx, New York City. It encompasses various forms of artistic expression, including rap music, DJing, graffiti, and breakdancing. In the video, hip-hop is discussed in the context of its cultural influence and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within the community, particularly the struggle for acceptance and representation.

💡Homophobia

Homophobia refers to the fear, hatred, or discrimination against individuals who identify as homosexual or LGBTQ+. The script discusses the prevalence of homophobia in hip-hop culture, noting its impact on artists and the community. Examples include the historical 'hunt for the gay rapper' and the pressure on artists to conform to hyper-masculine ideals.

💡Hyper Masculinity

Hyper masculinity is the exaggeration of traditional male gender roles and behaviors, often associated with dominance and aggression. The script mentions hyper masculinity as a deeply rooted aspect of hip-hop, which has historically created a hostile environment for those who do not conform to these expectations, such as gay rappers.

💡Little Nas X

Little Nas X, a contemporary artist in the hip-hop scene, is highlighted in the script for his bravery in coming out as gay while enjoying mainstream success with his hit 'Old Town Road.' His actions have brought the conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in hip-hop to the forefront.

💡DL Culture

DL, short for 'down low,' refers to individuals who secretly engage in same-sex relationships while publicly identifying as heterosexual, often due to societal pressures. The script discusses the emergence of DL culture in the context of the AIDS crisis and its impact on black gay men in hip-hop who felt compelled to hide their sexuality.

💡Wendy Williams

Wendy Williams is a media personality known for her radio show, where she is mentioned in the script for perpetuating the 'witch-hunt' to identify a gay rapper in the 90s. Her actions contributed to the climate of fear and homophobia within the hip-hop community.

💡Kanye West

Kanye West is a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry who, as mentioned in the script, has spoken out against homophobia within the community. Despite his own initial discomfort with discussing his sexuality, he has used his platform to encourage others to be more accepting.

💡Bisexual

Bisexuality is a sexual orientation where an individual is attracted to both men and women. The script suggests that being bisexual or a lesbian might have been more acceptable in hip-hop due to male fantasies, without challenging the masculinity of male listeners.

💡Notorious B.I.G

The Notorious B.I.G, also known as Biggie Smalls, was a highly influential rapper in the 90s. The script references a controversial lyric of his that could be interpreted as homophobic, illustrating the deep-rooted homophobia in hip-hop lyrics.

💡Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group known for their use of homophobic slurs in their early music, as mentioned in the script. This reflects the tension between the group's hyper-masculine image and the growing awareness of LGBTQ+ issues within hip-hop.

💡Fluidity

Fluidity, in the context of the script, refers to the flexibility and freedom in expressing one's gender identity and sexuality. It is associated with a newer generation of hip-hop artists who are challenging traditional gender roles and expectations, contributing to a more inclusive culture.

Highlights

The speaker recalls a personal experience of feeling alienated in a food court due to homophobic attitudes in the hip-hop community.

Hyper masculinity and homophobia are deeply rooted in hip-hop culture, with recent artists challenging these norms.

Hip-hop's influence has transcended music and dance, becoming a mainstream pop culture phenomenon.

The 90s saw a 'hunt' for a gay rapper, reflecting the tension between hip-hop culture and homosexuality.

The AIDS crisis contributed to a 'DL' culture where many black gay men remained closeted due to community stigma.

Rappers felt the need to assert their masculinity and engage in homophobic behavior to avoid suspicion.

The speaker discusses the limited acceptance of homosexuality in hip-hop, suggesting it's more acceptable to be a lesbian or bisexual due to male fantasies.

Notorious B.I.G's lyrics included ambiguous references to homosexuality, challenging the traditional hip-hop image.

Early hip-hop artists like Wu-Tang Clan used homophobic slurs, contributing to a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

The flamboyant style of some 90s hip-hop artists contrasted with the unspoken rule of remaining closeted.

Wendy Williams' radio show in the 90s played a role in perpetuating the hunt for a gay rapper, causing distress within the community.

Kanye West admitted to having homophobic sentiments in his youth and addressed the issue publicly, urging others to stop.

Rapper Bryan, one of the first openly gay emcees, shared his experience of navigating the hip-hop scene.

Bryan's decision to write authentically about his life, including same-sex relationships, marked a turning point in his career.

The mainstream media's discrimination against gay culture created barriers for LGBTQ+ artists in the industry.

Rapper Trinidad James, though straight, faced questions about his sexuality due to his flamboyant style.

The speaker reflects on the importance of being 'dope' in order for a homosexual artist to succeed in hip-hop.

Recent artists like Lil Nas X and others have come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community, challenging hip-hop norms.

The speaker advocates for open communication and understanding between different sexual orientations within the hip-hop community.

The potential for change and acceptance is highlighted, with examples of artists like Tyler the Creator embracing fluidity.

The speaker emphasizes the need for mutual respect and avoiding forcing personal opinions on others regarding sexuality.

The importance of addressing real issues and moving beyond fear is underscored in the closing remarks.

Transcripts

but I remember walking through the mall

food court a Linux mall in Atlanta

Georgia I would have been just getting

those like oh yes hell no like all those

like low comments and those looks and I

remember feeling like crazy inside way

back then so that showed me or whatever

like you know this a cold world for

people in this community there's no

secret that when it comes to hip-hop

hyper masculinity is rooted in the DNA

but is it also homophobic and with

recent artists like little nas eggs

coming out of Gabe this conversation has

been a hot topic bigger than ever before

on today's complex news presents we're

gonna unpack the over decade-long

question is hip-hop homophobic I was

first introduced to hip-hop I remember

was over the holidays and I was in st.

Croix for Christmas and rapper's

delight' came on the radio and we were

like what and like kind of just didn't

know like what it was like loved the

disco music underneath but it was like

this whole new world of like talking

over the music hip-hop during this era

gave a voice to the streets in a way

that had never been heard or seen before

and over the years as influence has

transcended beyond just music and dance

hip-hop culture was and still is

mainstream pop culture homophobia and

hip-hop was really born kind of in the

late 90s and it started as this hunt for

the gay rapper the other parallel thing

that was happening when hip hop was

exploding was that there started to

become this DL culture because of the

AIDS crisis a lot of black gay men

weren't really willing to come out and

and be out and open because of their

communities the charged black family

very very you know single-parent

households and so it was really a

struggle there was this hunt for

like who's gay and that's when it really

started to turn that's when you saw men

who were rappers trying to defend

themselves and being overly masculine

and hyperbole and just really really

certainly kind of gay bashing the lyrics

being a homosexual male in hip-hop is

probably the worst thing that you could

be at that time for sure

just because I mean let's think about

what hip-hop represents for for

especially during the mid 90s you know

this is Street hip-hop you are from the

street you were hard you know being gay

and being Street to most of us don't

connect at all that means you're soft

you know that means that show weak that

definitely doesn't mean that you popping

guns I believe it's probably more

acceptable to be a lesbian or be

bisexual is because of men's fantasy of

you with two women right that's

basically where that comes from but it

also doesn't put their own sexuality in

question or their own masculinity and

questions so there's there's more

comfort there biggie had a couple of

lines one of his lines being you look so

good I stuck on your daddy's dick and

everyone was like hey say what now

because again the idea of the notorious

b.i.g

being gay it was just like hold up now

you know you can't be doing that and be

out here bussing guns neither I mean if

you look at if you listen to early

hip-hop wu-tang has a lot of homophobic

slurs most rappers Cameron a lot of them

had just like underlying you know saying

gay and [ __ ] and different things in

their lyrics and it really started to

become this tension of this DL culture

this hyper masculine hip-hop culture and

then kind of all the nuances in between

and that's when it started to feel kind

of oppressive the interesting thing

about hip-hop in the 90s especially was

this kind of very flamboyant

so you had the pictures of LL Cool J

with no shirt and the chains

but for some reason no one questioned

that but you weren't allowed to be out

but then that's supposed to just be the

way things are but it looks super gay to

me I don't think I really started paying

attention to homophobia in hip-hop until

listening to Wendy Williams in hot 97 so

our friend Wendy Williams was you know

had her very popular radio show in the

90s and she kind of helped perpetuate a

lot of the witch-hunt

that was going on to find the gay rapper

and to kind of out people and this went

on for months you know she would drop

hints everyone was kind of like up in a

uproar about who was the gay rapper and

you know the feeling around that was if

that person was exposed if that person

even existed I don't know to this day

but if that person was exposed

obviously that person's career would be

over so Wendy called out whoever she

wanted to she would call out LL Cool J

Diddy Will Smith the list goes on and on

and you know the thing in gay culture is

that you don't out people you let people

come out so I think people felt very

kind of threatened and scared by this

kinds of rumors of who's the gay rapper

and things like that so it was it was a

weird time it was very scary and kind of

you know I always had this fear like

that someone would like jump me or beat

me up because I was gay and I don't know

if that was a real fear or just

something that I felt because of the

rampant homophobia that existed in the

culture in a 2005 MTV News interview

Kanye West says everybody in hip-hop

discriminates against gay people matter

of fact the exact opposite of hip-hop I

think is gay you play a record in it

it's wack that's gay dog and I just want

to come on TV and just tell my rappers

just tell my friends yo stop it fam

at the time Kanye admitted that he grown

up you know in hip-hop culture obviously

he too had some homophobic sentiments as

a teenager growing up in Chicago I was

working on a show called the corner

hosted by DJ envy and when he came in

just and he just straight-up asked him

like are you gay and again he defended

his stance and defended like you know I

knew people would start asking me that

if I defended gay people but he was

still extremely uncomfortable answering

the question you know and you know and I

believe he ended it with like yo but

just like the hood side of me don't ever

ask me that again so even with Kanye

defending gay people he was very

uncomfortable answering the question and

wanted to make clear that he was not gay

he himself was not gay and that just

speaks volumes on what being gay in

hip-hop could do to your career or the

fear of what it could potentially do to

your career rapper Bryan was one of the

first out gay male emcees to hit the

scene in the early 2000s Bryan and I

made up in the Bronx to talk about his

experiences in hip hop so with you

trying to figure out who you were gonna

be as an artist was that difficult when

you really didn't have anybody in the

game who was out or who identified as

like SVO and my thought process I was

just mimicking the artists that I have

grew up listening to and that I loved so

I was doing what felt like it was normal

for hip-hop not what was new

for me and so at what period in your

life did you start to really say alright

I'm gonna do this then I know that

there's some things about me that it's

kind of like going against the mold or

it's untraditional when it comes to

hip-hop artists so yeah I just got to a

point where I was like if I'm rapping

about certain things people are not

gonna believe it it's not gonna come off

as authentic if I'm talking about

relations or relationships with women

how was that gonna work

somebody's gonna be like well you know

this is not true about you so kind of a

light bulb went off and I would say this

happened like in my late teens and I

started to write about you know what was

really going on in my life and that was

my dealings with the same sex so I mean

but what was your thought process

because I imagine that hat that has to

be tough to say you know what [ __ ] it

I'm going to talk about my reality

things that most rappers aren't

comfortable talking about most rappers

have never talked about right well I

just thought it was revolutionary like

even in my own space of the four walls

in my bedroom I was like oh this is kind

of different like this is new like maybe

I'm onto something but at the same time

I was scared I was fearful apprehensive

about how it would come off like if it

ever reached the public yeah I'm like

were you l know I wasn't how I not just

I mean I just did it secretly I just

didn't on the low and I was just you

know writing these raps and before I

knew it I had like 10,000 songs about

this my lifestyle freak a rappers like

Brian the journey to be accepted in

hip-hop was once nearly impossible

especially with all of the mainstream

media discrimination towards gay culture

and the queer community like if you look

at the core image of what a hip-hop

artist is right what is that

so that's a heterosexual black male

if you are a white male rapper they're

gonna automatically put this monochrome

on you as the white rapper yeah you're

female you're gonna call you a female

rapper if you're a gay rapper they're

gonna call you gay went whenever the

case but all of those are gonna be

lesser than a black straight male rapper

exactly which is the case with our

society in general in a patriarchal

society so you have the pecking order of

who's at the top and who's at the bottom

you know and with hip-hop the people at

the top are supposed to be as far as the

artists are concerned I'm supposed to be

heterosexual black men right a lot grew

up in Hartford Connecticut so like

there's a lot of the Caribbean culture

around there and one of my favorite

songs growing up was by Buju who's a

reggae artist and it was boom bye-bye

and he's like my my ain't about a boy

and and when I was a kid like I loved

that song and then when I grew up and

listened to the lyrics I'm like this is

[ __ ] crazy like these [ __ ] is

really out here talking about like

killing people killing gay people and I

think a lot of people are listening to

music and that's homophobic and not even

really realizing what they listening to

so what was the feedback that you got

from your music once you put it out was

people really rockin with it where

people like really uncomfortable okay

well social media have really just

started to like take legs and once I put

it on myspace like

it's just it was that version of viral

before viral was a thing people were

like following me and I downloading it

and like what the [ __ ] is this and then

everybody was trying to interview me

like all these DJ's it was like is this

person real is this a gimmick is this a

real thing you know I would visit like

radio stations and it would be like well

he's rapping but what the [ __ ] collabs

you never heard no [ __ ] like this before

like this is crazy and I even remember

DJ cypher sounds from hot 97 had pulled

me to the side he was like you know I

don't want to tell you what a radio but

you know you really nice but I don't

[ __ ] with the gay [ __ ] but you really

nice with it and I was just like well I

guess I did what I came to do like was

that kind of hard or did you ever kind

of struggle with like the idea that you

may not ever be fully respected by the

community I kind of accepted it early on

you know even though I always pushed to

have my career grow as far as possible

as far as like mainstream success

whatever that means I kind of accept

that early on that it may not happen

because gay men are not accepted in any

space hardly do you think that you would

be at a different place in your career

if you had not came out yes but I don't

think I would be happy and I don't think

I don't think it would have last day

long despite senseless killings of

members of the lgbtq+ community some

artists are choosing to rise above fear

and use their platform to bring change

just this past year rapper litter nas ex

made headlines for coming out as gay

after a record-breaking run with his

number one hit Old Town Road now little

nas ex may be the most recent mainstream

hip-hop artist to come out as gay but

he's far from the first everyone from

Tyler the Creator keep going up on a

Tuesday rapper

I love Makonnen have come out as members

of the lgbtq+ community and although

Frank Ocean is technically an R&B singer

his Grammy Award winning album channel

orange got much praise from the hip-hop

community rapper Trinidad James made his

mark in hip hop back in 2012 with his

chart-topping single all gold everything

but it wasn't just his music creating

buzz

even though he is straight his

flamboyant style and gender-bending

outfit choices had to hip-hop community

question his sexuality as well when you

look at young artists like the little

nods the Jaden Smith the young clubs

like all these people who are definitely

pushing the eccentric eccentric artists

would you say that you're a trailblazer

in regards to kind of like creating this

lane for young artists like them to be

able to be so fluid in the way that they

dress and how they go about their brands

I would think I think that I'm a part of

it

little Nozick's I've never met and he's

actually gay right he's put it out there

right Jaden Smith I've worked with

that's a great kid he's just a kid

he's just a great kid like you know and

then a young thug I think that he just

got it you know I got to meet him very

very early in his career and are the

help that I might may have ever gave him

had nothing to do a conversation it just

had to do with right if just what you

want if you want to wear a dress or

whatever you want to wear don't do it

because you want to do it you don't have

to make no excuse about it you don't

have to prove no point you don't got to

no interview with nobody about do it

because you want to do it in this game

when it comes to the rapper industry

your talent should should speak for

yourself it should what was it like when

you kind of hit the scene and you

knowing that you were kind of like

pushing the envelope when it comes to

masculinity in hip-hop well to be honest

with you I don't I never looked at it as

pushing masculinity in the beginning

because when you're trying to make it

you're just doing you you know and when

you're just doing you you don't know

what people are gonna grab on to you

know and so with me understanding the

lack of knowledge that people have in

fashion I would understand why you would

look at a male rumpert or like a long

gated shirt or you know a crop top as

like whoa what are you doing because

from the general standpoint of how you

understand fashion a man is not supposed

to be doing this a long time ago I can't

remember what year I'm just saying oh

600 8 or something like that it was a

pair of Nike SB dunks

the ferris bueller SBI's and others

based off of the movie the tongue part

in the middle had a leopard friend like

the pants I'm wearing right now how

ironic

I go to American Apparel and I buy some

skinny you know American Apparel

skinnies are skinny skinny spray ons

getting spray Oh

exactly so with that being said war a

war red skinnies then and a leopard

print cardigan would I think I can

phoenix shirt I say all that to say this

way back then when I wore those dunks in

my mind I'm putting on a fit but I

remember walking through the mall food

court the Lenox Mall in Atlanta Georgia

or whatever and just getting those like

oh he KS hell don't like all those like

low comments and those looks and I

remember feeling like crazy inside

really I would have I remember that like

way back then so that showed me I would

ever like yo this a cold world for

people in this community actually uh who

actually are you know I'm saying

homosexual this that and other and got

it really this is what people think

about you just based off of what you got

all well with you being a member of the

hip-hop community and you having this

deeper understanding because of your

experiences what are your thoughts about

artists both during the origins of

hip-hop and also now who have very

homophobic lyrics or where I put out

very anti-gay comments in the media or

in the press well I always go off of I

take things to basic facts if you you

can't do better if you don't know better

because at one point in time I use those

derogatory terms to just in general

speech never to ever I never spoke from

a place of malice to somebody we have to

understand that if somebody's been using

the f-word for solo normal it's been on

TV and this and then it's just a whole

part of a life they can't just click it

off just like thing and I feel that

people in our always mess up the letters

but in that in a community

yes exactly in the LB

well in the community some forgets that

they forget that you know we are human

no matter what your sexual orientation

is I really can't speak for everybody I

just really can't you know I could just

speak from the things that I did to do

better and that was just making a

conscious effort recently rappers like

Eminem and offset have been criticized

for their homophobic comments lyrics and

remarks and although many have issued

public apologies some have not but

should they I think a lot of our

entertainers don't realize the power

that their words hold it's very

important for entertainers to be at the

forefront of social change because you

know we're not getting it from our

politicians clearly so it has to be us

to help push forward progress when you

have like rappers who have put lyrics in

their music that are homophobic or the

Kevin Hart situation where he may have

tweeted something that was homophobic

years ago mm-hmm how should we ask

consumers of their products and how can

we be better about having those

conversations with them versus just

cancelling them cancel culture sometimes

is it can be a bit harsh at times I

think a lot of people tend to are

they're quick to judge and they're quick

to make conclusions I personally like to

see as much evidence as possible before

I put like slap a guilty label on them

as far as like past comments go I do

believe that people have the ability to

change like I'm pretty sure everybody in

this room has said something really

really dumb when they were 15 16 17

years old possibility of change yes but

should they have to are they just

expressing themselves freely under the

First Amendment and walk in the light of

normality that it's okay to be

homophobic and hip-hop and that's just

the way it is but with all things

considered where does this leave us now

and do we think that the hip-hop

community will progress past these

homophobia homophobia in general is is

rampant still violence against black

trans women

very high and there's still a lot of

bullying that happens against queer

communities and queer people especially

on Twitter it's super vibrant and so you

have you know suicide is the second

highest cause of death for young queer

people because they feel bullied and not

accepted

I think people black people hip-hop

culture can overlook anything if you're

dope like you have to but you have to be

the best in order for a homosexual man

to make it in hip-hop proper he is going

to have to be so [ __ ] dope that

people just don't even think about it

well I'm inspired and encouraged when I

think about the future of hip-hop

especially when it comes to LGBT qi+

music culture community we're living in

a time where queer narratives and black

narratives are much more important and

so we're seeing more of that and

streaming and in Hollywood and on

television and so to see that manifest

itself through music I think is amazing

what I always loved about hip hop is the

just the innate creativity that exists

within the culture and seeing how that

creativity has now blossomed into this

kind of gender fluid gender you know

non-binary creative culture class is

amazing to me so to see all these things

seem Nikki Blanco working with Madonna

to see people just living their real

truth and even someone like Tyler the

Creator who's like flirting with gender

fluidity and is he gay and is he not gay

but that is accepted and that it's cool

makes me feel good what helps with that

is communicating these problems

communicating the misunderstanding of

both sides because I also feel that

people that are homosexual have worse

attitudes sometimes that that for the

people that actually trying to show

respect where it feels like Amen why

would you now turn and want to play

revenge car

when that doesn't make it better for

nobody because I feel that a straight

person's opinions should not be forced

on a gay person but a gay person's

opinion should not also be a forced on

the straight person I feel like that's

super fair let's talk about the lack of

our progression all the real issues not

addressing we have war but don't nobody

get the message this ain't the time for

fear now we hear now anything and I wave

about the tear down time at the time we

the people that they target they wonder

water people so heartless you got to

understand who I am where I am what I am

I am a powerful man I'm from the home of

the brave not home at a slave coming at

you staying at soil at me statues if

they kill us we were surface resurrected

respected no matter how much we neglect

it they asked where's the leaders but it

gets deeper what can I say they don't

give a [ __ ] so we don't need the super

dare I don't care I'm I speak the truth

my American flag is red black and blue

[Music]