For years, many in the hyper-masculine world of hip-hop have struggled with the idea of an openly gay rapper in their ranks. But with a younger, more accepting culture shifting the mind-set of hip-hop as well as the recent outing of Hot 97 DJ Mister Cee and hip-hop upstart Lil B’s controversial album title, I’m Gay, the issue has, once again, come to the forefront. And now, one of hip-hop’s most outspoken emcees, Game, has weighed in on the subject.
In a recent interview with DJ Vlad, Game, speaking on the topic of gays in rap, shared his thoughts on homosexuality.
“I think there are several rappers that are in the closet and gay, and see those are the type of gay people that … the only type of gay people that I have a problem with,” said Game. “I don’t have a problem with gay people. Like, Beyoncé should’ve said, ‘Who run the world? Gays,’ because they’re everywhere and rightfully so. Do you. It’s a free country. Be gay, you can do that. Game don’t have a problem with gay people.”
Continuing to elaborate, Game addresses the hot-button issue of the closet, explaining that he believes the mentality of gay individuals in the closet poses a threat to others in regards to the spread of STDs, namely HIV.
“Game has a problem with people that are pretending not to be gay and are gay because the number one issue with that is that you could be fooling somebody and you could give them AIDS and they can die and so that in the closet s—t is real scary. So, we’ve got to get into the real seriousness of it and it’s just not fair to other people,” he said. “If you gay, just say you gay. Be gay and be proud.”
In the interview, Game also comments that he believes he’s “possibly” worked with a gay emcee, or as he calls them, “man fans,” adding that there are “a lot of man fans out there in hip-hop.”
Game also addresses the recent controversy involving Mister Cee, who pled guilty in June to charges stemming from his arrest after being caught in a public sexual act with a drag queen prostitute.
“Nah, I wasn’t surprised,” said Game of hearing the news of Mister Cee’s arrest. “I seen Mister Cee, today, and I can’t even lie, I’ve got a lot of respect for Mister Cee ‘cause of the whole Biggie thing and all of that. Then I seen Mister Cee, today, and all I could think of was that.”
Adding, “Shout out to Mister Cee. Do your thing. No love lost here, though.”
Game’s words clearly reflect the dichotomy between pro and anti-gay groups in hip-hop. Although his words of acceptance show hope for the slowly evolving music community, his words of fear and misunderstanding show that more informative conversations (involving HIV researchers) need to be had about accurate HIV rates and sexuality in the hip-hop community, to help end homophobia as well as HIV infection.
–nicholas robinson
