Kanye West, the gay rapper

[Paxton]

Rapper Kanye West has no regrets about speaking out against homophobia in hip-hop music, even though some people now assume he's gay. But West, who in 2005 called for an end to homophobia in the rap community, admits he still wouldn't feel comfortable socializing in a gay club, an attitude he attributes to his upbringing in Chicago, Illinois. The 30-year-old says, "Speaking out against hip-hop homophobia, some people were like 'Oh, Kanye must be gay! Look at the way he's dressing! And why would he speak about it? He's a gay rapper.' And my whole point is, I wouldn't have spoke on that if I was gay or if I was in the closet. I would have stayed so far away from it. And I'm still homophobic myself to a certain extent. You know, I wouldn't go to a gay parade and feel comfortable. I wouldn't ever go to a gay club or something and just be chillin' and grab a drink. It's being in the entertainment world, I meet so many different gay people who are actually nice people. Where I came from, Chicago, being black and being a hip-hop artist, we used to really disrespect gay people. And the thing is, we can't get close to them with a 10-foot pole. And I realized, 'Wow, how ignorant has this been?'"

 

[evilest]

Good on him. Especially to admit he's not a role model either, and it's not a holier than thou rant.

The music industry in general needs to grow up.

Followed by the film industry.

And most of America.

And the western world.

 

[G-Lexington]

We're getting there.

Lex

 

[Paxton]

Good on him. Especially to admit he's not a role model either, and it's not a holier than thou rant.

The music industry in general needs to grow up.

Followed by the film industry.

And most of America.

And the western world.

We all need to grow up. Period.

 

[tatu101]

We all need to grow up. Period.

I agree with you.

 

[luminum]

W00t. Not a great rapper, but I'm glad he's speaking out about the prejudices of the particular music industry.

 

[Pushyourluck]

I night take his comments more seriously if he weren't such a class A twat.

 

[evilest]

I night take his comments more seriously if he weren't such a class A twat.

I'd rather a class A twat promoting equality than an influencial twat promoting hatred..

 

[Mutinous]

I'm conflicted, I mean, I still think he is creating a division when not necessary, but the fact he knows he is makes it a good thing.

His music is still pretty abysmal though. (I would've sworn but not sure if I can on this forum, but I think we all know how bad it is anyways).

 

[Paxton]

I'd rather a class A twat promoting equality than an influencial twat promoting hatred..

I agree. Kanye is a hot act right now, so his opinion might have some kind of influence. He won't change the world, but a grain of sand it's better than nothing.

 

[gameboy 11]

It also helps that he has a gay cousin that he has been close with, for years.

 

[breatheH20]

I appreciate his sentiment, but it's hard for me to like him anymore since he's extremely arrogant.