Taking the Homophobia Out of Hip-Hop: A Progress Report

In an attempt at damage control over his own anti-gay, annus horribilis of 2004, Beenie Man's camp did offer some (rather conflicting) excuses and apologies. Through Virgin Records he released the statement, “As a human being I renounce violence towards other human beings in every way, and pledge henceforth to uphold these values as I move forward in my career as an artist."

But as a revelation on the hollowness of his “apology”, his handlers added shortly after that Beenie “has the right to continue criticizing a lifestyle he does not approve of”. Beenie also dodged personal responsibility for his anti-gay lyrics by telling The Associated Press it was all just part of Caribbean culture.

Elephant Man had gigs cancelled in the US by venue-owners who refused to condone his homophobia. As reported by Ross von Metzke in a 2005 GayWired.com article, Elephant Man also cited the “Caribbean culture” defense, saying: "We know that this thing [homosexuality] is not right and we are not going to uphold it. The Jamaican heritage is deep, we love God and we are not involved in certain things. From the time I was growing up, I learned that chi chi man fi get bun, bun dem out."

Positive gains from the “campaign against murder music” protests can be felt today.

Gay activists around the world are now reaching out, in a variety of solidarity campaigns, to support queers living in repressive societies. For rappers whose anti-gay lyrics still go unchallenged in their own gay-intolerant countries, the success of international queer protests has at least limited their ability to spread their hatred for gays to more open, democratic societies.

Think of all the organized protests that successfully took on the anti-gay stances of entertainers like Anita Bryant, Donna Summer and even Dr. Laura. In 2006, gays are even more of an influential political and economic force. Career-minded musical artists and celebrities now have to think twice before spouting off negatively about homosexuality.

Having learned that violence-inciting anti-gay lyrics can cost them dearly in terms of lost revenue and income, some hip-hop/reggae artists have since altered their tone (at least publicly) and backed-off on the anti-gay rhetoric in their songs.

Hopefully, the worst and most blatantly homophobic song lyrics are a thing of the past. After all, artists can mature. It's possible that old anti-gay sentiments from the early careers of some rappers do not represent their current views on homosexuality.

Case in point, U.S. rapper Common's first four albums contained some pretty rabid anti-gay lyrics. Yet in a change of heart his 2002 CD Electric Circus contains the thoughtful track titled “Between Me, You & Liberation”. In it Common speaks of a childhood friend who reveals his gayness to him, and of his own conflicting feelings in confronting his own homophobia towards his friend.

And then there is platinum selling rapper Eminem, who in some circles gained exoneration for his early anti-gay lyrics when he began buddying up with gay pop star Elton John at public events like the Grammy Awards.