Rappers are not known for approving homosexual behavior, the rap industry is full of guys who project these images of macho, violent males, eventually screaming some homophobic lyrics and not hesitating to overuse the words fag and faggot in their songs. Eminem, DMX, Ice Cube (and probably others) have been targeted by gay activists for using homophobic lyrics.
So what could happen now that the first black president has proclaimed his support to gay marriage? Well, Jay-Z himself has spoken: he told CNN he agrees with Obama and is endorsing the president’s statement:
‘I’ve always thought it as something that was still, um, holding the country back. What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business. [It] is no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.’
I think this is a big deal, Jay-Z is like a royalty among rappers, he is the king and he has power. It’s an excellent thing he spoke out this way.
There was obviously some part of calculation in Obama’s decision to speak in favor of gay marriage, it was a very good thing to do, but it is a little laughable when you remember the president’s less-than-pro-gay-marriage declaration when he met with pastor Rick Warren in 2008: ‘I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. I'm not somebody who promotes same-sex marriage.’
Since pro-gay marriage seems to be in the air, his campaign people are probably hoping this new change of mind will boost his candidacy,… but what about Jay-Z? He had nothing to gain from this! However hip-hop and rap have a lot to gain from this revelation!
Hey rappers say it loud, being gay is OK and now I want all the gay rappers to come out of their hood,… that may just be a little too much to ask.