Kanye on Gay Bashing: "Yo, Stop It"

Exactly one month ago to this day, an interview with Keith Boykin appeared on Vibe.com entitled "Is Hip-Hop Homophobic?" Keith pointed to the incessant use of gay-baiting in the subculture: "It’s all about the reduction of black masculinity through caricature; we use gay men as the archetype weak figure. In the music version of hip hop, that’s how they get at one another."

Today, Kanye West, one of the biggest stars hip-hop comes out and says "enough, already." According to an AP report in Newsday, Kanye speaks out in an MTV special, All Eyes on Kanye West, that is scheduled to air tonight at 2230/est. "Everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people," he's quoted as saying, adding that on the streets, gay is "the opposite, the exact opposite word of hip-hop. ... Not just hip-hop, but America just discriminates. And I wanna just, to come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, `Yo, stop it.'"

There's some great backstory to the report—Kanye used to be homophobic, changed his tune when he discovered that his cousin was gay—and we have to say that we're impressed. It actually makes us somewhat sheepish, because we've never been huge Kanye fans. (We'll explain later.) In hip-hop, it's almost de riguer to gay bash, so Kanye's position clearly shows that he knows that he is a leader and he's using his celebrity for some good. (photo via Kate Szatmari)

Comments

[RevKev]

Bravo Kanye.
At the time in Hip-hop, where things appear to be getting glitzier and grimier at the same time (RIDDLE ME THAT), its cool and refreshing to see a brother of this magnitude (as opposed to a CONSCIOUS rapper) stand up and stand for something!

The mainstay in this conversation for me is why does hip-hop spend so much time talking and fighting against gay in the first place. I surely don't spend that kind of time worried and fretting about straight folks...BUT BLESS IT!

Again, Kudos Kanye!

AND AS ALWAYS ROD, YOU ARE INDEED THE MAN!

[nOva]

He finally says something unselfish and humble and it's in the interest of homosexuals. He never ceases to amaze me.

[Mikey D]

Before we hand him a GLAAD award and send him on his "mary" way I would also like him to call on fellow rappers and hip hoppers to stop with the sexist, women bashing that pervades every lyric and image that is presented by contemporary artists today.

[Thunder]

Kanye reminds me of myself in so many ways.
Hopefully I can help him put to rest this lyrical gay bashin stuff by coming out as a gay artist.

[naturalblkluv]

This comment is coming from a guy who owns more plaid shorts and polo shirts than any hetro-sexual man should ever own. I think it’s a publicity stunt. Now if this was coming from a gangster rapper, I would say its a step, but not from a guy who ties sweaters around his shoulders and talks about how good he looks.

As a person who lived thru the preppy stage, on black campuses black preppies were called sell outs, punks, nerds and fags. Especially during the public enemy, back to Africa. The new Muslim movement or ripped jeans n torn t-shirts, or hammer pants era. I know Kayne was like 7 then, but maybe he needs to rent school days, boys in the hood or some movie if he doesn't want to ask somebody.... black preppies were never cool. lol

[Landslide]

Kanye West is gay it's obvious who judges their sexuality on the count of being called mothers boy? His cousin is that little voice inside him telling him to dress extremely metrosexual that little fierce voice to tell him to be cocky. He has so much sugar in his take he pratically shits fairy dust he is gay

END OF DISCUSSION!

[DIVAD]

YO TO THINK THAT A RAPPER LIKE HIM WOULD EVEN CARE ABOUT OUR LIFE STYLE AT ALL IS A HUGE STEP AND SENCE PEOPLE ACTUALLY LLISTEN TO THIS BROTHER IT EVEN BIGGER SO DONT'B SHOCKED WHEN THIS MYSTERIOUS GAY RAPPER IS EXCEPTED INTO THE HIP-HOP COMMUNITY I DO BELIEVE THIS CAT HAS PAID HIS DUES AND SHOULD B HEARD!
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THIS BROTHE RHAS TO SAY I WOULD HOPE THAT HIS RAP WOULD B NO DIFERENT THAN WHAT WE AS HIP- HOP LOVER ARE USE DTO HEARING BUT MAYBE WITH A BETTA BEAT LOL

[Amatus]

So what if West is gay! Who give a rat azz. Here is a guy coming out and saying something positive for the gay movement. Kanye West was just saying something posiive for the cause. Why so many haters. I like the bother and if he is gay that his darm bussiness. I have a lot of respect for the brother Nuff said

[Don'tae La'Mar]

I have been saying for awhile that Kanye is gay. No one wanted to believe me. The only reason he brought up the fact of gay-bashing is because he is. His cousin might not even be gay. You know how people through things off so not much attention goes their direction. All it takes is time. Then Chingy, Jae Kwon, Chris Brown, Mario, Jamie Foxx, Shemar Moore, Nick Cannon, Jermaine O' Neal will eventually follow Kanye's foot-steps and come out as well. When the word fag comes out their mouth, they are bashing themselves. Anyone man that uses the word "fag" is gay. Whether they want to admit it or not. And for these closeted gay mans information, not all of us gay men want you. We may look in your direction. You know you want our attention, and want us to flirt with you. So, you can have a discussion about it. That is how it works with the ladies. When you do the same to them.

[MACK]

Oh PleeZe. He changed his tune because of his cuz. Dont think so, changed his mind cause of this wallet. I think that he should be reminded that everytime he pulls that wallet out his back pocket that some homo allows him to pay his bills. Love his music but dont want my pennies caressing his ass, not even for a second.

[ChuckNLuv]

Hey Rod:
Been a fan and a lurker since the brotha2Brotha daze. I remember you once gave a shout out to the Dominican Bros Joel & Carlos. I was also a big fan of theirs from Stella's (RIP). With the demise of Stella's, where are her children "dancing?" In particular I miss, P-BLUNT, Sex Appeal, Rider, James, as well as Carlos & Joel. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Happy Dog Days. Chuck ...

[robert westwood]

hey guys im new to this forum n like to read up on opinions about the artists i love.
i have two things to say before i make my point, to see if your judgements of me will effect how you take my opinion.
1. im a white working class lad from west yorkshire in england :P bigup D/P!!
2. im heterosexual :D
Ok first how many ppl are now wondering what a straight guy is doin posting on this comments forum thingy? does it seem strange to you? I know alot of ppl would be giving me funny looks for doin so but frankly i couldnt give a rats arse lol. im me, i know who i am and know what my tastes in ppl ( and musical artists) are. Im a huge hip hop/ rap / r'n'b fan. ive listened to it all my life, and i have to agree that there is a huge amount of "gay bashing" goin on in this genre of music.... if you look a little deeper tho u'll be surprised to find a whole culture of hip hop where ur sexual tastes dont mean a damn thing.. steming from such artists as De La Soul, and even the less successful artists like skeelo (where did he go! i love his album... what a shame). Why is it so hard to believe that a straight guy like Kanye can be capable of humbling himself with an honest opinion and stand up to say something he might actually feel passionate about? would you think the same if he actually was gay? or would it just be another stunt
"This comment is coming from a guy who owns more plaid shorts and polo shirts than any hetro-sexual man should ever own. I think it’s a publicity stunt. Now if this was coming from a gangster rapper, I would say its a step, but not from a guy who ties sweaters around his shoulders and talks about how good he looks"
posted by naturalblkluv, what has his damn dress sense got to do with anything>? are you judging him cos of how he looks? many straight men wear that stuff, it dont mean they're gay!.
why cant ppl just accept that us "straightys" can be just as accepting of a persons sexual choices/opinions/dress sense (:P).
Were not all "gay bashers" you know!
peace n love,
Rob
:P

[mariana]

kanye is the best, aS A FEMALE I HAVE BEEN INSULTED BY A COHORT WHO has stated that kanye is gay. #1 cause it is used in a negative way. who gives a crap if he is! #2 because it was said he acts like a lttle bitch and a man should have self-respect and not act like a female. stupid idiot.