After cleverly creating a dizzying whirlwind buzz for his controversial debut album, I’m Gay, Lil B has had fans biting at the bit anticipating the release of his latest album. Late Wednesday, June 29, Lil B finally gave his fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for when he released “I’m Gay” on iTunes without any major notice.
According to MTV, at around 9:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday night, The Based God quietly took to Twitter and announced to fans that his album was now available for download on iTunes.
“Buy my new project I’m Gay now!” The Based God tweeted, with a link to iTunes.
Some are calling the release an unthinkable triumph for the artist, citing the fact that Lil B, who’s still an independent artist with no major label deal, was able to release his own album without suffering an online leak.
“Lil B released his retail album without it leaking. After over a decade of trying, no major record label has figured out how to do this,” tweeted fan @bfred about the release, according to Complex.
Lil B’s fans aren’t the only ones praising the rappers album. According to HipHop DX, in a surprising twist, conscientious rapper Lupe Fiasco, took to Twitter on Thursday, June 30, to voice his praise of the album, calling it “genius & revolutionary.”
“I’ll stamp it now. ‘I’m Gay’ is one of the best rap albums I heard in a looooong time. Some MFDoom x Ghostface x Kanye flava to it…,” tweeted Lupe. “I actually think callin his album ‘I’m Gay’ is GENIUS & Revolutionary, the cover is Genius, some brave s***…AND he spittin REAL s***. Controversial, independent, fearless with a massive movement built off a crazy work ethic…sounds like #Winning to me. Why hate on that???”
Lupe continued to show his support for Lil B on his blog, writing a lengthy and detailed post, further explaining his love for the album, citing the album’s controversial title and its impact on homophobia in the hip-hop community as well as its alternate definition of happiness.
“…Lil B’s ultimate intention and preference for the word “gay” was its “one who is happy” definition,” wrote Fiasco. “So basically my lil homey was being attacked for being happy. The poetic justice in that is awe inspiring. If that don’t speak to the conditions that exist in this world and this society I don’t know what does.”
Although Lupe gave praise for The Based God’s liberating album title, others are saying it’s misleading, expressing disappointment in the album’s notable lack of content about homosexuality.
“His message is poignant, no doubt, but the album title is misleading as well. In April, Lil B denied any notion of being gay himself, but to barely address the issue on the LP is a glaring omission,” wrote reviewer Rob Markman for MTV.
Well, Lil B may not be the lyrically outspoken LGBT ally that some were hoping for him to be, but it’s undeniable that his album is at least causing the masses to reevaluate their stance on sexuality. And beyond the controversy, Lil B is not only proving that there’s power in remaining an independent artist, but also that he is clearly a force to be reckoned with and respected in the music industry.
Lil B’s I’m Gay is now available on iTunes or you can download it for free here, courtesy of The Based God himself – nicholas robinson
