Hip Hop And Homophobia (This is an old essay I just found) Sep 23 '11    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line Where did it start? And where does it end? Does Hip Hop really "move with the times", or only pretend? Hip Hop and Homophobia   For years on end, since I was around 8 or so, Hip Hop has played a huge role in my life. Ever since Eminem hit the radio waves with his MMLP lead off singles, (The Real Slim Shady, The Way I Am, Stan, etc.) I was hooked. Something about his tone and emotion drew me to him, even at an age when I couldn’t understand ¾’s of what his lyrical content spoke. Since then my musical tastes have broadened toward Nas, Mos Def, Ludacris, Talib Kweli, Binary Star, Atmosphere, among many other artists, underground, alternative, mainstream, I have a large number of artists I admire in each category. But as I grew up I started actually paying attention to what I was listening to and questioning popular rap statements, that have set trends and quotable’s for other artists to follow.     The contradictions I observed even with my most favorite of artists. A change in style, way of emceeing, substance, statements, interviews to songs, messages, as their careers either faltered or teeter tattered with credibility, true, music is music, it was created for entertainment. But in order to further Hip Hop and the influenced younger youth surrounding it, now and into the future, I believe its time to shine some light on topics rarely discussed in the Hip Hop genre, culture, popularity and scene. Topics either disregarded or ignored, I believe there should be a voice or many voices stating the negativity Hip Hop brings, steering away from left and right wing politicians who know nothing about it and ridicule it mainly for ratings.   Homophobia:    Not only found in rap music or popular culture such as TV shows, radio programs, movies, etc. Homophobia is of course still prevalent in ....America.... along with racism, sexism, and other forms of discriminatory degrading to certain social classes, cultures, etc. It of course will never completely die away, but for the most part homophobic groups, activists, and even popular sayings hence, (that’s so gay or no homo), have been for the most part now considered taboo or “behind in the times”.     Many rap artists in interviews, songs, along with Hip Hop activists encourage aspiring and working musicians to “be themselves” and “keep it real.” Two common phrases in the Hip Hop community to influence true credibility and to keep (or try) to keep it in its rawest form, untainted by false credentials and bragging rights, while this rule has been WAY over broken almost beyond repair in the mainstream rap scene, something still sticks with a lot of rap albums, that’s been existent since the beginning of rap in general, homophobia.       Name all the openly gay rappers you know of, come on now… I’ve got all day. Well… I’m waiting. Don’t all jump up at once now… exactly none.       With approximately ten percent of the population being homosexual and you’re meaning to tell me all  of the rappers you’ve seen on the TV, heard on radio, guest appear and show up at the Hip Hop honors awards and your meaning to tell me none of them are gay?     I can’t specifically pin point any rapper for being gay, (suspicions around Lil Wayne still continue), but there has to be some gay rappers. Just about every well respected rapper you know of have said either something blatantly or borderline homophobic, in their careers. Eminem (one of many lines) “my words are like a dagger with a jagged edge, it’ll stab you in the head, whether you’re a f*g or les” Dmx (again one of many lines) “I show no love to homo thugs… “how you gonna explain f*ckin a man? Even if we squash the beef, I ain’t touchin’ his hand.” Nas “my style switches like a f*ggot, but not bisexual- I’m an intellectual at rap I’m a profession-al, and that’s no question yo.” Immortal Technique “your crew is full of more f*ggots then Greek mythology.”   Anyone who listens to rap knows exactly what I’m talking about and can recite every memorized homophobic line from their favorite artists. So how could any aspiring rapper (who’s good) gain any props or respect in Hip Hop when they just so happen to be gay? Well I suppose if a super talented gay rapper stepped up to the plate, he could break the sexual orientation barrier, just as Eminem broke the race barrier.     With “keeping it real” being overly stressed in Hip Hop; by artists, critics, purists, etc. alike, does this also constitute for if you’re gay? I was watching a Hip Hop documentary Hip Hop: beyond beats and rhymes (great piece of work, highly recommend it) and the interviewer is found in a recording studio with Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Busta Rhymes. Busta Rhymes was more than happy to be compliant and answer questions pertaining to Hip Hop’s flaws, the extortion and artistic deterioration, he was almost ecstatic to answer such questions, even making fun of fake gangster rappers by standing up with his arms folded going “yea mothaf*cka, we bomb yo hood, we duct tape yo moms, we hardcore around here (laughs)”.     It was all fun and games, till the interviewer asked about homophobia found in rap and the culture. Busta quickly switching from a grin to a mean mug and the room fell to dead silence. “You mean… homo’s and that sh*t?” “Well yea” The interviewer responded. “How do you feel about a lot of the homophobia found in rap? Rappers writing homophobic lyrics and…” Busta Rhymes’s face drooped down in awe; to which he hesitantly responded. “Uhh well I can’t part take in that conversation. Because culturally we don’t condone that at all, so this is when I’m gonna slide out.” To which the interviewer asked, “Well let me just ask you one question. Do you think a gay rapper could ever be accepted in Hip Hop culture?” Busta Rhymes then stood up and replied in a tune of harmony. “Pass the Henney and then some- say the word and we’re gone”. To which Mos Def laughed, and just like that the interview was over…     So why did I use that as an example? Well this isn’t necessarily an isolated case. These artists in no way shape or form feel that it’s wrong to express their hatred toward homosexuals, and will not hesitate whatsoever to write lyrics down, bashing gays. But when simply asked if gays could be accepted in rap, they either shut down and b.s. around about their freedom of expression but again as I’ve heard millions of times “don’t want to offend anyone” or they either say “next question”. What is it about homosexuality that makes them so uncomfortable? They’re not being asked to hold up a rainbow flag and sing It’s raining men, they’re simply being asked why homophobia is accepted in rap, and if they could ever be respected in the culture.     Anyone could argue for a number of reasons why homophobia is widely accepted and encouraged in rap. The way the artist was raised; their own beliefs, the image of masculinity, insecurity, shock value, the culture as a whole, ....America....’s past vast intolerance to homosexuality, and the list goes on. I’m just confused I suppose, “Keep it real”, “say what you feel”, “and don’t care what other people think”, I hear all these statements from the very same people who bash homosexuality. If Nas came out tomorrow and said he was gay, but his artistry and musical stand point stayed the same, would he still be respected as much as he is? I would think if you’re secure about your own sexuality, that bringing up a topic such as homosexuality shouldn’t be a problem to you.     But for a large number of rappers, it is a big problem to even bring it up, I suppose because of people questioning their “image”. This truly is sad, I’m not trying to be a gay rap activist and start a movement, I’m just simply asking questions that have baffled me for a majority of the time I’ve been listening to rap. Anyone have any input to my essay, feel free to comment away.

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