Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

How hip-hop learned to call out homophobia

06/06/2023

How hip-hop learned to call out homophobiaIn the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop, a significant shift is taking place as the genre confronts its history of homophobia.

by The Conversation

06-06-2023 10:41

in Music

Rapper Offset apologized over a homophobic slur. Image: The Conversation.

In the 2018 song Boss Life, the rapper Offset, part of the multiplatinum-selling rap group Migos, rhymed: I do not vibe with queers.

--

Such casual use of a perceived anti-gay slur is not uncommon in the history of hip-hop. But the discussion that Offset's lyrics provoked gave an insight to how the genre is evolving.

ALSO READ: Volkswagen radio ad banned by Advertising Board over everyday homophobia'

Addressing claims of homophobia, the rapper wrote on Instagram: I didn't write the line about gay people. I got love for all people. He continued: To me [by] queer' I don't mean someone who's gay. I mean lame people who film you, post it and stalk you. Lingo that means strange or odd.

--

I have no reason to question Offset's sincerity, although other artists have criticized him for the slur.

But as a scholar of hip-hop and social consciousness, what interests me more is that Offset felt the need to reply at all; many of his rap predecessors have not felt the need after similar incidents.

As rap music approaches its 50th anniversary in August, I believe it is increasingly embracing challenges to - and debates about - homophobia. That is, hip-hop has evolved to the point where anti-gay rhetoric invites condemnation from members of the culture. It is still present in some rap lyrics - as indeed is true of all genres, from pop to country - but hip-hop is changing because of more progressive cultural views and greater LGBTQ representation.

--

The history of homophobia in rap music Hip-hop has always been a socially conscious genre - but whereas it has historically challenged racial discrimination, it has slowly evolved on issues related to gender and sexuality.

Arguably one of the most poignant social commentaries on institutional racism at the time, The Message, released in 1982 by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, included the anti-gay slur f** in a disparaging context.

Indeed, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, high-profile rap groups such as N.W.A and artists like DMX similarly used pejorative language against members of the gay and lesbian community.

Perhaps the most famous rapper using homophobic lyrics is Eminem. On The Marshall Mathers LP, he rhymed, Hate f**s?/The answer's yes. In the aftermath of this controversy, Eminem performed with famous gay singer Elton John at the 2001 Grammys. Nevertheless, on follow-up albums he continued to use the slur. Throughout this controversy, there was only a muted response from the rap community itself.

Eminem and Sir Elton John perform at the 43rd annual Grammy Awards in 2001 in Los Angeles. Dave Hogan/Getty Images ALSO READ: What's driving homophobia in Uganda

Advocacy groups such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation have long campaigned against the use of such language, lambasting Eminem's hateful rhetoric and lyrics alluding to violence against members of the LGBTQ community.

And such lyrics have real-world impacts. Indeed, researchers who studied the link between rap music and resistance among young men of color to coming out found that it influenced some gay men's decision to conduct any same-sex practices on the down low to avoid revealing their sexuality.

The start of change in rap community In the latter 2000s, attitudes began to change. For example, in 2005 Kanye West apologized for his past homophobia and even urged fellow artists to cease using lyrics that degrade the LGBTQ community. I wanna just come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, yo, stop it, he said in reference to derogatory anti-gay slurs. In 2012, Jay-Z decried discrimination against gay people and promoted gay marriage.

These individual actions did not end anti-gay expression in rap, but it does, I believe, show progress among those in the hip-hop community. And others, from Nicki Minaj to Fat Joe, later followed suit as the 2010s progressed.

Furthermore, hip-hop artists and fans have increasingly welcomed what could be described as a queer aesthetic once frowned upon. Some cisgender male lyricists have appropriated parts of queer culture as part of their act.

For instance, popular Atlanta rapper Young Thug often cross-dresses, wearing women's clothing. In a 2016 MTV interview regarding his wardrobe choice he stated, In my world, you can be gangsta with a dress, or you can be gangsta with baggy pants.

This contrasts with earlier rap. Such attire would be unthinkable in the 1990s when the belief was that real men don't wear tight clothes, in the words of New York rappers Thug Slaughter Force. This idea was rooted in the belief that hypermasculine and macho straight guys wore loose-fitting clothing.

However, many present-day male rappers wear tight-fitting clothes - a fashion choice once considered gay and therefore demeaned in the rap world. Moreover, such outfits are created by gay fashion designers, a point that Offset acknowledged while defending himself against claims of homophobia.

ALSO READ: 3 stages of homophobia and why most queer people hate themselves

Out of the closet and onto the mics homophobia Being comfortable with a gay aesthetic is one positive development. Even more telling, I believe, is the growing number of mainstream LGBTQ rappers. For many years there were no high-profile gay hip-hop artists. In fact, as late as 2014 Larry King was asking interviewees if they thought there would ever be gay rap artists. There were, of course, but major record labels at that time rejected signing them.

Over the past decade
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/music/how-hip-hop-learned-to-c...
See more stories from thesouthafrican

More from The South African

22/05/2024

Judge blocks auction of Elvis Presley's Graceland estate

Judge blocks auction of Elvis Presley's Graceland estateA judge in Tennessee has temporarily halted a foreclosure sale of Graceland, the historic home of El...

22/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 22 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 22 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...

22/05/2024

Tonight's Scandal: Jojo draws a line in the sand and Phaka must make a decision

Tonight's Scandal: Jojo draws a line in the sand and Phaka must make a decis...

22/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: A costly request from Adani and Keletso, breaking the wedding dishes by mistake

Tonight on House of Zwide: A costly request from Adani and Keletso, breaking the...

22/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Dikeledi's death at the hands of Mthetho leaves Caesar and Jaxon troubled

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Dikeledi's death at the hands of Mthetho leave...

22/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 21 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 21 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soap...

22/05/2024

Shaka ILembe': Mzansi Magic denies food poisoning incident, confirms death

Shaka ILembe': Mzansi Magic denies food poisoning incident, confirms deathMzansi Magic has responded following reports that two Shaka ILembe' season tw...

22/05/2024

Bridgerton's third season sizzles with record-breaking viewership

Bridgerton's third season sizzles with record-breaking viewership Bridgerton' Season 3 Part 1 shattered records with a staggering 45.1 million views wit...

22/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: The Maputlas find out about Ntswaki's lies

Tonight on Skeem Saam: The Maputlas find out about Ntswaki's liesDon't miss Wednesday, 22 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam ...

21/05/2024

WATCH: Tonight's Scandal teaser - 21 May 2024

WATCH: Tonight's Scandal teaser - 21 May 2024Don't miss Tuesday, 21 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv on DStv channel ...

21/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Sthoko and Babeile's reunion puzzles and shatters their loved ones

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Sthoko and Babeile's reunion puzzles and shatters the...

21/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka is forced to lie after Mampho catches him preparing to go to dinner with Ona

Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka is forced to lie after Mampho catches him prepar...

21/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 20 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 20 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soapi...

21/05/2024

Popular children's TV shows you may have forgotten

Popular children's TV shows you may have forgottenSouth African television channels have entertained us over the years. Here is looking back at some popular...

21/05/2024

Actor Dumisani Dlamini discusses his role in Isitha: The Enemy'

Actor Dumisani Dlamini discusses his role in Isitha: The Enemy'Legendary actor Dumisani Dlamini has landed the character of Nsimbi in e.tv's popular te...

21/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: General's romantic gesture to Lulu meets with hesitation

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: General's romantic gesture to Lulu meets with ...

20/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki sneaks Toby into the house, but sadly for her, Leeto arrives unannounced

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki sneaks Toby into the house but sadly for her, Lee...

20/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka decides to explore things with Ona while still seeing Mampho

Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka decides to explore things with Ona while still s...

20/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Jaxon and Caesar fail in their attempt to corrupt Phakathi

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Jaxon and Caesar fail in their attempt to corrupt ...

20/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle's work life suffers as she struggles to hold it all together

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle's work life suffers as she struggles to hold it a...

20/05/2024

RIP: Two deaths' on Shaka ILembe' production

RIP: Two deaths' on Shaka ILembe' productionTwo people, who are part of the Shaka Ilembe' production set to return for a second season, have repo...

20/05/2024

Gangsterism in movies and television: Wees geskool'

Gangsterism in movies and television: Wees geskool'Gangsterism has been portrayed in movies and television: but have you ever seen these films and televisi...

20/05/2024

School project features Die Antwoord' [Watch]

School project features Die Antwoord' [Watch]School projects are difficult. However, this student took some inspiration from the controversial band Die An...

20/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki sneaks Toby into the house but sadly for her, Leeto arrives unannounced

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki sneaks Toby into the house but sadly for her, Lee...

19/05/2024

House of Zwide' June Spoiler: The Zwides recover their millions

House of Zwide' June Spoiler: The Zwides recover their millions The House of Zwide' June teasers reveal that Funani and Nkosi will recover a share of t...

18/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 17 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 17 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soapi...

18/05/2024

Shaka Ilembe' approved for season three

Shaka Ilembe' approved for season threeMzansi Magic's hit series Shaka Ilembe' which stars Nomzama Mbatha has been commissioned for a third season....

17/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa gets a rude awakening when Kgosi blackmails him

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa gets a rude awakening when Kgosi blackmails himDon't miss Friday, 17 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...

17/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Dorothy is blown away by Ona's sketches for her wedding dress

Tonight on House of Zwide: Dorothy is blown away by Ona's sketches for her w...

17/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle has a visit from her past that leaves her very unsettled

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle has a visit from her past that leaves her very unsett...

17/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 16 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 16 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...

17/05/2024

Prison Journalism: Letter to my mothers

Prison Journalism: Letter to my mothersThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story by Thabo Mthembu 17-05-20...

17/05/2024

Paul McCartney becomes UK's first billionaire musician

Paul McCartney becomes UK's first billionaire musicianMusic icon Paul McCartney has become the UK's first billionaire musician, according to the Sunday ...

17/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Sakhile advises Tiny against sabotaging Petunia

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Sakhile advises Tiny against sabotaging PetuniaDon't miss Friday, 17 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Smoke ...

16/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Nkosi is angry and accuses Shoki of keeping secrets from him

Tonight on House of Zwide: Nkosi is angry and accuses Shoki of keeping secrets f...

16/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Phakathi examines the CCTV coverage and questions Jaxon

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Phakathi examines the CCTV coverage and questions ...

16/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: A terrifying story pushes Dintle into making a life-altering decision

Tonight on Scandal: A terrifying story pushes Dintle into making a life-altering...

16/05/2024

Irma Stern's 1930 portrait Cape Girl with Fruit headlines SA art auction

Irma Stern's 1930 portrait Cape Girl with Fruit headlines SA art auctionAn Irma Stern painting from 1930 leads Strauss & Co's diverse catalogue of moder...

16/05/2024

Prison Journalism: The role my mother played in my life

Prison Journalism: The role my mother played in my lifeWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Resto...

16/05/2024

Actress Sibongokuhle Cele joins Muvhango'

Actress Sibongokuhle Cele joins Muvhango'Model and former Durban Gen' actress Sibongokuhle Cele has secured a role in SABC2's soapie Muvhango'...

16/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Carol sees Ntswaki getting up to no good with Toby

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Carol sees Ntswaki getting up to no good with TobyDon't miss Thursday, 16 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...

16/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 15 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 15 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...

16/05/2024

Monet painting fetches R640 million at New York auction

Monet painting fetches R640 million at New York auctionA Monet has sold for nearly R640 million at auction, Sotheby's said, marking a solid start to New Yor...

15/05/2024

Eminem killing off Slim Shady' with new album

Eminem killing off Slim Shady' with new albumEminem is announcing a new album, called The Death of Slim Shady' killing off his controversial, crazy ps...

15/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele's baby's heart is not beating

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele's baby's heart is not beatingDon't miss Wednesday, 15 May's riveting episode of South African soapie House of ...

15/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Mr Kgomo is forced to defend his decision to hire Eunice

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Mr Kgomo is forced to defend his decision to hire EuniceDon't miss Wednesday, 15 May's riveting episode of South African soapie S...

15/05/2024

Afrikaans words nobody learned at school

Afrikaans words nobody learned at schoolAfrikaans has some interesting words, which nobody might have learned at school. What about koeksisters' and panto...

15/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny is intimidated by Petunia and tries to have her removed from the hotel

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny is intimidated by Petunia and tries to have h...

14/05/2024

Radio Mzansi: Nine Proudly South African stations

Radio Mzansi: Nine Proudly South African stationsRadio stations are everywhere, but limited to area Or are they? You can listen to these proudly South African ...

14/05/2024

Leon Schuster: Five of the comedian's favourites

Leon Schuster: Five of the comedian's favouritesLeon Schuster is one of South Africa's favourite comedians. What's your comedy movie of choice? Watc...