Trapped in the Closet
written by JusHH
written by JusHH
Just so we’re clear, in Hip-Hop it is okay to be a murder, a drug dealer, a pimp (and a hoe), a liar, a gambler, a cheater and a greedy money-before-anything type of individual. We’ve established this, correct? And we all stand by it, no? I mean, I’ve seen individuals on many media outlets criticize Hip-Hop for supporting the aforementioned individuals and we get up on our soap boxes and defend it. If so, then can someone please help me understand why we are cool with a person being all of those things but the one thing we absolutely won’t ever tolerate is homosexuality. That’s right folks. If you are gay, then you can’t be apart of Hip-Hop.
I just have trouble understanding how we could find some moral justification for a person taking someone else’s life or selling poison in the community but a same-sex relationship is out of bounds. And this phenomenon goes pretty far. In his platinum selling Tha Carter 3 intro, Lil’ Wayne says that he will run up in your crib and kill your grandmother. No response. The possibility that he kissed (kisses) Baby, who happens to be a loving father figure on the mouth – well that just caused all kinds of ruckus. I can’t begin to figure out how that works. With all the bitching and complaining that we do as a culture about not getting a fair shake in this country and being unfairly treated, we openly and in many cases, proudly discriminate against an entire group of people. To this day, of all the rappers and verses ever spit, the only rapper that ever came under fire for anti-gay lyrics is Eminem.
But I know, I know – God said that its wrong and it’s a sin so that’s why you can’t rock with the whole gay thing. Fine. But last time I checked, being a homosexual wasn’t in the Ten Commandments. However, not killing, stealing, sleeping with your neighbor’s wife(y) or worshiping another deity (that means you Hov) is definitely a no-no in the lord’s big book, yet that’s cool. And it’s not even that people in Hip-Hop are indiscriminately against homosexuality – just when men do it. Young Dro’s girl has a girlfriend, and Jadakiss is on his waverunner and tanning with dykes. (For the record, hanging out with a “dyke” does not add to your status as a pimp and a player. A dyke is a lesbian, so not only is she not into you but her fade is probably tighter and her jeans are probably baggier than yours. I know dyke rhymes with a lot of words, but come on guys, step your rap game up.) It’s perfectly okay for two supermodel women to rub up on each other but two men are just yucky. So wait, what does God think about the two chicks thing?
The phobia for the homo is so prevalent in Hip-Hop that it’s frankly embarrassing. The myth of the “Gay Rapper” put more fear into people than the freggin’ Blair Witch. If society has taught us anything, its that there are more homosexuals in our society than anyone is willing to admit. So yes, that means one if not more of your favorite rappers, DJ’s, breakers and graf artists are in fact – gay. Men in Hip-Hop will go out of their way to prove that they are not gay. They will even put these trendy disclaimers at the end of sentences that might have the slightest chances, of being considered to have a tiny insinuation to homosexuality. We need to just grow the hell up already. Hip-Hop has far more problems than if a small percentage of the people who contribute or support it are gay.
It’s so bad that even if you defend homosexuality, people will think that you are gay. As if it’s so hard to believe that a person can actually have sympathy and defend someone else on the sole basis of sharing a common sense of humanity. Kanye West (say what you want about his ego but he has the guts to say things that the most gangster rappers will not) openly condemned homophobia in Hip-Hop in an interview and what did he get in return? He got called a fag by people from NY to LA.
Hell, I’m sure someone reading this might think that I’m gay too. So before there’s any confusion, allow me to use the now international disclaimer to end this post…
No homo.
11 comments:
OMG. JUSHH WILL U MARRY ME? Or can we at least have hip hop babies together? :-)
Theres soo many angles to address with this post. First, I think homophobia in hip hop has a lot to do with the fact that it is a male dominated industry. PTM has addressed the lack of/ decrease of female (quality) MCS now a days. Not only is the industry male dominated, but by minority males. Homosexuality is not as acceptable in black/ Latino communities. Also, hip hop morphed into a culture that was strongly based on money power and respect. Being a gangster and homosexuality, do not mix. I know homo-thugs exist, but it is very uneasy for guys to accept the fact that a strong black man can be attracted to another man. I must admit that its not the most attractive picture for me either, but that doesn't mean I have a problem with it. I will say its easier to see two very attractive ladies together because it just loOKs more appealing. Image is huge in hip hop, sometimes too huge and the image of a gay rapper is not as accepted. I don't think the majority of hip hop fans are ready for it.
When Cam started rocking pink and purple hard, it was looked down on at first. Everyone started calling him gay, but when I saw dudes on the corner rocking pink it was definitely ok for me. N E DUDE thats secure enough with himself and is not afraid of what people may think of him while rocking PINK is very sexy to me.
I think it definitely has a lot to do with image. The only trace of homosexuality we will see is from a lesbian. Rick Ross having Snoop from the wire in a couple of his videos or implied lesbianism. It makes the artist appear more desirable.....
Yeah its not even the homophobia that gets me its the contradictions that annoy me the most. To make the claim that Hip-Hop is so universal and how anyone can be apart of it but then turn around and exclude is wrong. But to only exclude gay men and applaud "girl on girl" is even worse.
Its funny you bring up The Wire because that show managed to get Hip-Hop to accept the only openly gay character - Omar. Sure people would call him a name but it was always followed by, "yeah, but that n***a is gangsta". I think Omar was one of the best characters in TV history because he perpetuated and broke so many stereotypes at the same time.
I just think we all need to grow the hell up when it comes to homosexuality. It's here, it ain't going no where and one or more of our favorite emcees are still in the closet. Deal with it.
... well talk about going 1/2 on a baby too (lol)
good post, i hear you, I just don't like being gay being compared to being black, only problem i have with homosexuality, its not for me, but i'm in no position to judge. My girl ("chevy blue like whirlwind") brought up a great point the other day, she said that a lot of creative artists, since ancient times, have been gay. Being able to tap into that creative side is involved somehow with femininity and i'm realizing i'm butchering her point but its basically that it should come as no surprise that rappers are gay cause a lot of creative artists (and people for that matter) are gay, its just that like you said, the hip hop code wont allow it, homophobia is a mf yo, haha.
1/2 on a baby....lol. We'll talk about it. LOL.
I think the whole comparison of being gay to being black is not all that inaccurate. We can't choose to be black or white or whatever color we are. And I honestly believe that people don't CHOOSE to be gay....
What issue do u have with the comparision? PTMers please don't be scared of the topic....WE DON'T JUDGE AROUND HERE...
I dont think that all gay people "choose" to be gay. Honestly, i think homosexuality is different for each person. Some have bad experiences, some are confused, there are bisexuals who like both, etc. With that being said, when you're black/white, you're that from birth. There are some who can "pass" but at the end of the day, they're black/white/purple/green, and they didn't have a choice in it. I'm not saying one struggle is more significant than the other, because there are clear similarities and parallels. I'm just saying they are not the same, so don't compare them as such.
wow, sometimes you never know where a post can go. I didn't write it with any intention on comparing being black with being gay but since it went there here's my two cents:
They aren't exactly the same but they are more similar than many people are willing to admit.
I don't believe that anyone chooses to be Gay. They may choose to sleep with someone of the opposite sex but being gay or being straight i don't believe is a choice. I think there's a difference between what you do and who you are.
But back on the topic, I just feel that Hip-Hop should do what it says and embrace it all. I just thought it was weird how we can "embrace" such negativity and topics that hurt our community at times but we cannot even begin to entertain the idea of accepting homosexuality.
I hear you, someone living in Iowa isn't exactly making an "easy" choice to be gay but a dude living in NYC, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, etc, has a MUUUCCHHH easier decision to make. Like i said, i think everybody has a different story when it comes to homosexuality, some are def "born" that way but a lot aren't.
As far as the second part of your statement, I agree wholeheartedly.
I agree that hip hop should embrace homosexuality,a lot more....
However, I dont think the majority of homosexual people choose to be gay. HOW DO U KNOW U LIKE GIRLS?
The same way a straight person is attracted to the opposite sex, a lot of gay people are born the way they are. Because its not the norm, its hard for the majority to understand. However I think the same chemicals in heterosexuals that help them with their attraction to the opposite sex, exist in homosexuals.... Maybe its a chemical imbalance, but they don't choose it. I agree that some people choose to be gay due to a psychologically traumatizing experience, but the majority its natural for them... If we think about it, I don't see why n e one would CHOOSE to live a "difficult" lifestyle. I would think its a lot easier to be "NORMAL".
I hear what you're saying, but what I'm saying is "difficult" and "normal" are both relative and subjective terms. If you live in a tolerant community, "difficult" and "normal" take on completely different meanings than if you live in an intolerant one. My point wasn't to determine why or how people choose/are gay, it's the fact that black/white/purple people are what they are from birth, there is no debate, strictly genetics, whereas its not that cut and dry with homosexuality.
I guess my question at this point is what would it take for Hip-Hop to become "tolerant". Does the "Omar Little" of Hip-Hop have to step up? Do we as fans need to be more critical of homophobic lyrics?
Also, what does the use of phrases "no homo" and "pause" say about our levels of tolerance?
holla
I think the most important part of this post was the no homo @ the end. 'Cause you know, a dude starts defending gays and you gotta wonder.
And, I love how the no homo was immediately followed by KStorm's request for 50/50 on a hip-hop baby.
Seriously speaking though, hip-hop is very hypocritical. It's the most exclusive all-inclusive music there is. As far as I've seen, apparently rappers only spit for the heterosexual hood, but they want everybody to cop that disc. Every interview is "I do this for the hood," but then they got this song for "crossover appeal."
I think art is an imitation of life. For rap to start accepting gays, the black culture has to be a tad more accepting. Good luck w/ that one.
No homo.
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