Hip-Hop’s latest sensation, Macklemore, took the world by storm this past year thanks to his massive hits “Can’t Hold Us” and “Thrift Shop.” While the Seattle emcee was ruling the charts with his glossy hip-hop hits, he was also making major cultural statements with the lesser-known single, “Same Love,” which confronted homophobia in today’s culture, something few hip-hop artists have ever done. In a new interview, Macklemore explains his reason for supporting the LGBT community and why he feels it’s his duty to help end homophobia in hip-hop.
“I think that if other artists are compelled to and they feel inspired that they want to speak on an issue then go ahead and do that,” Macklemore said in an interview with AlLindstrom.com. “There’s so many things that I believe in…I felt personally invested in this issue. I saw forever homophobia used within Hip-Hop and used in a way that was getting props … And everyone was cool with that. And to me that was wack. It was something that I wanted to be accountable for myself, hold my community accountable for, and just be real about it. I think a lot has changed in the last year.”
Indeed, in the past year, the nation has seen major political and social changes surrounding the LGBT community and public figures like President Barack Obama, Jay-Z and Magic Johnson have all voiced their support for the LGBT community and equal rights. Moreover, celebrities and athletes such as Jason Collins, Frank Ocean and Brittney Griner have all made the courageous decision to come out as gay or bisexual.
No doubt, the help of LGBT allies like Macklemore and others has helped to remove obstacles for these LGBT stars to make changes and progress in their respective fields. More LGBT individuals are likely to come out and thrive in the future, even in the traditionally homophobic world of hip-hop.
Macklemore isn’t alone in supporting the LGBT community. Check out some other hip-hop LGBT allies below. – nicholas robinson
