September 14, 2007 | Sex & Society

Pro homo hip hop?

Hip hop has a long history of homophobia. We know this isn't some big revelation for most of our readers, but it is a scary reality for a musical genre that is increasing in popularity, and reaching the minds, and possibly affecting the attitudes, of young people.

A few years ago, rapper Juelz Santana of New York's DipSet crew coined the phrase "no homo," which was used to correct anything that could be misconstrued as gay. For example: "I dis Jay-Z all the time. I'm on his ass – no homo." It is like saying, "but not in a gay way." Variations of the term include "no Lance Bass," and "no Richard Simmons."

Ja Rule recently made headlines with his rant against gay programming during a recent interview with Complex magazine, “We need to go step to MTV and Viacom, and lets talk about all these fucking shows that they have on MTV that is promoting homosexuality, that my kids can’t watch this shit. Dating shows that's showing two guys or two girls in mid-afternoon. Let’s talk about shit like that! If that’s not fucking up America, I don’t know what is.”

Like rap calling women bitches and whores is a better programming choice?

And there's more...

That chain is so big he can't even stand straight!

Even Kanye West who spoke out in support of gays in 2005 at the MTV Awards played into homophobic attitudes when talking about how he is perceived. He said, "It's like what if your drawbacks ended up being your superpower? I've always had an issue with masculinity. I'm like, 'I hope this person isn't looking at me like I'm a faggot 'cause I have some feminine ways."

The antidote to homophobia in rap? Believe it or not, it comes in the form of a pro-gay hip hop album, the brainwave of Princeton religious studies professor, Cornel West.

"We need to respectfully challenge [rappers] on the issues of misogyny and homophobia," he said. "You can hear that on the album, too. Quit bashing gay brothers and lesbian sisters. Quit this domestic violence."

The album has the support of hip-hop heavies like Andre 3000, Gerald Levert, Jill Scott, Killer Mike, KRS-One, and Prince.

The album, titled "Never Forget: A Journey of Revelation," is a departure from stereotypical and tired themes of violence and sexism. Topics include President Bush, September 11, corporate power, as well as a challenge against homophobia. It's rap, with a social conscience.

Deadlee, your friendly neighborhood gay rapper!

And there are others fighting for change, as well. A new group of young people are taking over the genre and placing a decidedly pink spin on the music. Artists like Deadlee, Jen Ro, and Katastrophe are pushing back not only by being open about their own sexuality, but by incorporating their experiences, feelings and queer leanings into their music. 

So maybe one day we'll see 50 cent sporting a rainbow cravate and french kissing a hot male dancer in a music video? Oh to dream the impossible dream of rapper on rapper action. No homo? Well, maybe just a little homo.

• Collection of gay hip hop resources [webpage]