I can say for myself that I will read anything that is informative, scandalous, or shocking. I first heard of Cashaun on BET.com where he was coined the first openly "homothug" and "gay rapper". Doing more research on him I came across several websites and articles about being gay, black, and in the rap game. One in particular that caught my fancy was “Gay Men Who Make Homophobic Rappers Look Good - Fronting for the Enemy”. I read this piece and for the first time began to see the hypocrisy in rap itself.

The majority of rappers claim to keep it real, describing in-depth accounts of physical violence, sex, murder, and often life behind bars. Now if these rappers are keeping it real, why aren't they discussing what is really going behind bars - the rapes, homosexual relationships, spread of AIDS, and the undercover lifestyles that these men resume with the mother's of their children, mistresses, and wives once they are released. Let's face it, the biggest diss in rap is to be called a faggot or suggest that a fellow rapper is less than a man sexually. I had to be honest with myself and I will be honest with you too, I never tripped off of it, until I began to do research on my own. Let me tell you all, a big backlash from gay performers and rappers, company executives is forthcoming. It may not be immediate but it's coming.

What the above mentioned article brought to my attention that I never realized is that a LARGE portion of industry executives, clothing line execs, stylists, and photographers are gay and openly so. Unfortunately, the execs in the article lack the balls they suck because they wish to remain nameless citing that it could be the end of their careers due to the negative reactions of rappers. I want them to know that if they really want to keep it real - they should not hide their sexuality at all. I am not saying they should finger pop and twist in the face of the rappers they manage, market, or style - I would not be ashamed to admit what I am about in the face of slurs and insults about my own lifestyle.

What these execs need to remember is that the backlash of lack of rapper support will not be a factor because the industry needs them as do these rappers who don't know shit about the ins and outs (pardon the pun) of the business without them. How do they propose this lyrical homophobia be put to rest unless they stand their ground? It is the rappers who will gain an understanding that gays are not Martians or sick individuals but smart, intelligent, human beings. It is the rappers who would then have to keep it real with themselves and their audiences and realize that a segment that listens to their music is in fact gay and/or lesbian. It's not the lesbians who are under attack in rap music - they are cool with them and their lewd sexual acts are featured in more videos than I would ever care to watch. This is a double standard but what else is new

I would speculate that more rappers than would ever admit have been victims of prison rape or at least witnessed it, let alone those that have initiated it. The spread of AIDS in the Black Community is proportionate to the prison population that indulge in homosexual relations and get out and live heterosexual lives. This shit has got to stop! I feel that as a straight black woman - this indirectly puts my life in jeopardy. The more rappers that stop this anti-gay, "you-can't-be-gay-rap-or-be-a-man" shit is killing us all. I'm not a freedom fighter for gays -they handle their own business but I can see how it directly affects me and straight females like me. If this negative homophobic bullshit stops, maybe then tensions will ease, and gay or bisexual black men will feel free to express themselves without fear of labeling or violence and this undercover lifestyle so many black men lead will cease and assist.

If you are bisexual, I would prefer to be told, Mind you - I'M NOT FUCKING WITH YOU but I at least want to know. I don't see any reasons why any rapper would have anything against gays and honestly I don't think they do - it was just something that was a great way to diss a foe and that it was never thought to be as much of a lifestyle choice in the Black Community that is has grown to be.

I'm saying to all the rappers keep it real. Not everyone on your road crew likes pussy and you know it. The stylists that lean in your face, do your make up, braid your hair may just have your body guards dick on his breath - while he is all in yo grill.

THINK ABOUT IT.

Released: August 2001

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