As reported previously, this past weekend, up-and-coming West Coast rapper Lil B announced during his show at Coachella that he will title his next album, I’m Gay. And although the rapper explained that he wants to show that words hold no power, LGBT rights organization GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, doesn’t see the rationale in his controversial album title.
According to xxlmag.com, who reached out to GLAAD for their opinion on the matter, a spokesperson for the organization is wary of what could very well be another eyebrow-raising publicity stunt.
“As a lyricist, Lil B knows that words matter,” a spokesperson for the organization said. “Slurs have the power to fuel intolerance. We hope that Lil B’s album title is not just a gimmick, and is really a sincere attempt to be an ally. He has the platform and the voice. We hope he uses it in a positive way.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Lil B has landed himself on the tip of everyone’s tongue over controversy surrounding his sexuality. Last year, the rapper famously tweeted “If Kanye West Dosent [sic] Acknowledge Me Over Twitter And Work With Me On Music, When i see him im going to f— him in the a–.”
In the same year, Lil B also addressed rumors concerning his sexuality with complex.com, explaining that he respects the gay community, but he himself is not gay.
“People get scared when they hear the gay word, but when you truly know yourself, you gonna be good,” explained Lil B, who released a freestyle called “I’m a F—–“ last year. “…So, it’s like, I’m a f—– because I’m so not a f—–. I can say I’m a f—–. I can say I’m the gayest b—- on Earth. And I’m so not gay, it’s obvious. I know from my deepest core that I’m very far from gay. So I can say I’m the b—- queen that f—- cows. I’m not.”
Although it’s still unclear whether Lil B is truly an ally of the LGBT community or (as is easily believable) simply a rapper appropriating the exoticism of homosexuality for publicity, one emcee, Talib Kweli, is pointing out the fact that Lil B’s bizarre move could at least signify a shift towards a mind-set of acceptance in the hip-hop community.
“I’m happy to see young hip-hop heads move [away from] homophobia,” said Kweli. “Regardless of what your stance is on gay people, homophobia or the act and practice of it is extra wack.”
What do you think of GLAAD and Kweli’s comments on Lil B? Do you think Lil B is an ally or an opportunist? –nicholas robinson
