Eminem‘s new single “Rap God” has raised the ire of fans and media over lyrics that are being perceived as homophobic. The hip-hop star is no stranger to allegations of gay-bashing, and his latest track includes lines like “I’ll still be able to break a motherf–kin’ table over the back of a couple of f—-ts and crack it in half,” and “You f-gs are all the same.” Em’s language has gotten the attention of one of music’s most iconic members of the LGBT community, veteran British pop star Boy George.
Boy George hopped on social media to voice his disgust with Eminem and the lyrics in question.
“@Eminem Fag? Is this really recovery talk or are you running your own program these days?” Boy George tweeted. “We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.”
A fan asked if Boy George had a specific problem with Eminem as a person. “I don’t know him. I just object to the use of the term ‘Fag. On any grounds but especially from a recovering addict!” He told another follower that “It’s so queer! I’ve never met him so I can only comment on what he says in his music.”
After fans began posting more offensive lyrics, George again spoke out. The former Culture Club frontman asked that his followers not post inflammatory language.
“My comment about ‘Eminem’s use of ‘F-g’ was not a call to my followers to post further abuse! Really unhelpful!” he tweeted. “Isn’t it sad how the media just accepts abuse of gay people? #f*cked”
Eminem said in 2010 that he’s not a homophobe and that he supports gay marriage. “I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want.” He also told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that year that “The scene that I came up in, that word [f—ot] was thrown around so much, you know? F—-t was, like, it was thrown around constantly, to each other, like in battling, you know what I mean?”
