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Views on Homosexuality in Hip Hop

Attitudes towards homosexuality in hip hop culture have historically been negative. Gay slurs like "sus", "no homo", and "pause" can be heard in some hip hop lyrics. According to the LA Times, these slurs were used to put "queerness as a punchline".

In 1979, the Sugarhill Gang released "Rapper’s Delight", the first hip hop record to become a top 40 hit. "Rapper's Delight" referred to fictional character Superman as a "fairy" for wearing a skin-tight garment.

In 1986, the hip hop trio Beastie Boys originally wanted to name their debut album Don't Be A Faggot, but their record label Columbia Records refused to release it under that title, so it changed the title to Licensed To Ill. Years later, the Beastie Boys formally apologized to the LGBT community for the "shitty and ignorant" things they said on their first record.

Rapper Lil Nas X

Homosexual Artists

In June 2019 Lil Nas X, who performed the hit song "Old Town Road", took the opportunity to publicly come out during Pride Month, making him one of the most visible Black queer male singers to do so, especially in country/hip hop genres, which emphasize machismo and "historically snubbed queer artists". Black gay male artists in hip hop gaining mainstream acceptance is relatively new—preceding Nas X by less than a decade—including: Frank Ocean’s 2012 Channel Orange, Tyler, the Creator, ILoveMakonnen, Brockhampton frontman Kevin Abstract and Steve Lacy. Black queer women artists have been accepted more readily; while the underground queer hip hop movement goes back to the 1990s. This includes artists such as Young M.A., Feloni, Queen Latifah and many more.

Change in Stigma

As of 2016 to 2019, there have been fan favorites, who are not only making top charts but they are also changing the view of homosexuality in the hip hop culture. Those individuals are as follows: Kevin Abstract of Brockhampton, Young M.A, Lil Uzi Vert, Taylor Bennett, and lastly Jay Z. These five artist can be seen as icons in today's era of music, though making different styles they all have one main factor that brings them all together, and that would be them being supportive of the LGBTQ community. Kevin Abstract has made it known countless times that he in fact a proud gay Black man. The 22-year-old came out in 2016, and proudly boasts his longtime boyfriend Jaden Walker on social media. Young M.A' s story of overcoming the obstacle of finally coming out and being a different kid of inspiration can be seen on her interview on Noisey's The Therapist. Though he is not homosexual Lil Uzi Vert, does admit that an individual does not have to “be” gay to show their Pride — that’s essentially what an ally is. He has been doing so since his first run-in with mainstream success just a few years ago. Especially with his taste in style whenever he decides to dress up, using flamboyant outfits, showing his support to the community. Taylor Bennett has a beautiful girlfriend and a beautiful baby boy at home, but he came out as bisexual even after the birth of his first baby. Lastly Jay-Z is an icon to the rap game and the hip hop. Though he did drop slurs and disses to his foes in his earlier years. He later changed his views and his use of platform in his new album 4:44 with his song "smile"which then shows a different type of influence and persona that he lets off to those viewing him.

Growth from Nothing

From the late 1970's to right now December 2019, there has truthfully been nothing but growth, from being called out as well as being dismissed, to now being top artist on the Billboard Charts. From only hearing negative comments and disses about these kind of artists to now hearing positive feedback and seeing fans truthfully support them shows an expansive amount of growth. Although there will be negative commentators, that will not stop the growth of these public figures to the LGBTQ community.