by Ronda Racha Penrice for the Grio.com
Is being gay in hip-hop trapped in the closet?
When it comes to women sexually exploring other women, hip-hop has generally accepted such behavior, encouraged it even, on the condition that those women still engage in sex with men. Lesbians often present another problem. Women who love women only are considered “gay” while women who sometimes dabble in sex with women are considered freaks. Same-sex loving men or, even worse, bisexual men, are not even in the conversation.
Over the years, hip-hop’s homophobia has spilled over into the mainstream. Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP drew protests from GLAAD for such songs as “Criminal” and “Kill You” where words like “fags” don’t go unnoticed. In the midst of the controversy, Eminem performed with Elton John at the 2001 Grammys as GLAAD members protested outside.
But Eminem’s actions aren’t as contradictory as they appear. If there’s any industry that thrives on a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, it’s the music industry, especially hip-hop. Two years ago, Terrance Dean had the industry on edge when his memoir, Hiding in Hip-Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry – from Music to Hollywood was released. Although rumored to resemble Karrine Steffans’s explosive 2005 book Confessions of a Video Vixen, Dean’s book didn’t name names. Instead Dean, who once worked for BET and MTV, used fictional names that led to a guessing game, especially among urban bloggers.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
My name is Isaiah. Im 19 yrs old. Im an openly gay lyricist from Washington DC hoping to one day crash onto the scene. I totally agree with the first paragraph about how bi women are separated from the rest of the actual gays in hip hop…which is why im workin on my first mixtape which is currently untitled. My first mixtape is basically a coming out, an introduction of what’s to come. It embraces as well as helps young LGBTQ people cope with their sexuality & not be afraid to love hip hop. I do not wanna be a male Nicki Minaj like the rest. I wanna be Isaiah & show the world what a gay man can do just given the opportunity.
there’s no place for fagz in HIP HOP, holla n’ i’ma break it down for y’all
Disagree completely, dude. Hip hop since it started has been a place for everybody with skills and something to say. And whether you agree with the lifestyle or not, you must admit a number of the most creative artists in the world have been gay. Where would we be without Lorraine Hansberry, Langston Hughes or James Baldwin? Not to mention the dope lesbian mcs out there like Invincible and Yo Highness. You sound young with that.