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Celeb News: "Rap God" full of homophobic slurs, but praised by critics
Member Since: 6/20/2012
Posts: 8,593
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"Rap God" full of homophobic slurs, but praised by critics
Quote:
So is this the real Slim Shady?
Notoriously profane rap star Eminem has for years been criticized for lyrics that routinely use slurs of all flavors, not to mention violent and abusive rhetoric. Now the rapper has decided homophobic slurs are fair game once again, releasing a new single, "Rap God," which references "******s" and "gay boys."
More than six minutes long and chockfull of lightning-fast braggadocio, "Rap God" -- off the upcoming album "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" -- includes Eminem boasting in the first verse about how he'd like to "break a motherf----r's table over the back of a couple ******s and crack it in half." Later on in the second verse, the rapper includes the following description in a long riff on different kinds of "boys":
Little gay-looking boy / So gay I can barely say it with a straight face-looking boy / You witnessing massacre like you watching a church gathering taking place-looking boy / 'Oy vey, that boy's gay,' that's all they say looking-boy / You take a thumbs up, pat on the back, the way you go from your label every day-looking boy.
While part of this verse appears to reference a single by Hot Stylze called "Lookin' Boy," the gay imagery is troubling, given the current state of hip-hop and rap, according to The Week's Scott Meslow.
"Since the height of Eminem's popularity, hip-hop's biggest names have made major strides to tear down the once-entrenched homophobia of the genre," Meslow comments. "With The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Eminem had a similar opportunity to demonstrate growth as both an artist and a human being — and once again, he failed to take it. Instead, he's turned his considerable talents as an artist to the same regressive, lazy garbage he was spewing in 2000."
Despite the blatant use of pejorative terms, many critics have been quick to praise the single, lauding its lyrics and quick-fire delivery. "Read the Amazing Lyrics To Eminem's 'Rap God,'" gushed Vibe Magazine's John Kennedy, while Time's Per Liljas called the new single "divine."
Reaction was decidedly mixed online, however, as many people took to Twitter to voice disapproval of the rapper's language. Several tweeters contrasted the lyrics with "Same Love" singer Macklemore's work to eradicate homophobia in rap.
Anyone who follows Eminem's career knows this isn't the first time the rapper has been accused of homophobia. In 2001, Eminem attempted to counter such claims by performing his hit single "Stan" as a duet with Elton John at the Grammy Awards. At the time, advocacy group GLAAD issued a statement decrying the collaboration and calling Eminem's music "hateful."
The rapper appeared to have turned a corner in 2010, however, when he announced his support for gay marriage:
"I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want," he told The New York Times Magazine.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 3,744
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critic are ****, how they praise a song like this,
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Member Since: 10/8/2009
Posts: 35,527
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Member Since: 2/19/2009
Posts: 4,416
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It's a really good song so i see why it's getting praised. I like it
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Member Since: 11/28/2011
Posts: 27,495
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Have they ever called out homophobia in rap music tho? Maybe hiphop gets a pass?
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Member Since: 10/8/2009
Posts: 35,527
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Oh well, the world will move on.
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Member Since: 6/10/2011
Posts: 12,738
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I genuinely want to know the difference between Eminem saying the word and Azealia saying the word? Azealia directed it at someone who is a true bully/instigator. Eminem uses it rather pointlessly in a song, yet Azealia got HUGE backlash from the media, GLAAD, and she even lost her MAC endorsement over it. I've seen Eminem in two Beats by Dre commercials this year (with one still on TV). Some of the same people who dragged Azealia are praising Rap God. Can someone explain the difference between the two?
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 23,375
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Seethe while god stays unbothered & winning
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Member Since: 4/29/2012
Posts: 29,059
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Rap artist typically get a pass on that and it's Eminem he's been using homophobic slurs sice 1900, people aren't shocked by it.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 4,966
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Quote:
Originally posted by MM3
I genuinely want to know the difference between Eminem saying the word and Azealia saying the word? Azealia directed it at someone who is a true bully/instigator. Eminem uses it rather pointlessly in a song, yet Azealia got HUGE backlash from the media, GLAAD, and she even lost her MAC endorsement over it. I've seen Eminem in two Beats by Dre commericials this year (with one still on TV). Some of the same people who dragged Azealia are praising Rap God. Can someone explain the difference between the two?
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its because shes female
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 23,375
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Quote:
Originally posted by MM3
I genuinely want to know the difference between Eminem saying the word and Azealia saying the word? Azealia directed it at someone who is a true bully/instigator. Eminem uses it rather pointlessly in a song, yet Azealia got HUGE backlash from the media, GLAAD, and she even lost her MAC endorsement over it. I've seen Eminem in two Beats by Dre commericials this year (with one still on TV). Some of the same people who dragged Azealia are praising Rap God. Can someone explain the difference between the two?
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The difference is 1. penis, 2. white 3. done it for years & the truth is most ppl just don't care
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Banned
Member Since: 2/23/2012
Posts: 2,397
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king getting gay atrl jimmies rustled so effortlessly
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 619
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King of Controversy. Love it.
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Member Since: 4/29/2012
Posts: 29,059
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Quote:
Originally posted by MM3
I genuinely want to know the difference between Eminem saying the word and Azealia saying the word? Azealia directed it at someone who is a true bully/instigator. Eminem uses it rather pointlessly in a song, yet Azealia got HUGE backlash from the media, GLAAD, and she even lost her MAC endorsement over it. I've seen Eminem in two Beats by Dre commercials this year (with one still on TV). Some of the same people who dragged Azealia are praising Rap God. Can someone explain the difference between the two?
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Do you guys know anything about the music industry prior 2007? Eminem receive **** loads of backlash more than Azealia when he started out. People just stop complaning about it since they're used to it. It may be sad but that's just how it is.
Dr.Dre is one of Eminem closest friends, you think he would drop him.
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Member Since: 8/11/2012
Posts: 13,230
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Member Since: 5/17/2010
Posts: 21,708
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The real tragedy is that he's still pulling these shock tactics nearly twenty years into his career.
The whole "tortured, misunderstood youth" thing was cute in your twenties, but it's time to find a new gimmick, sis.
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Member Since: 10/8/2009
Posts: 35,527
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Quote:
Originally posted by Grumpy Gills
The difference is 1. penis, 2. white 3. done it for years & the truth is most ppl just don't care
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Which says a lot about the current state of the world tbh.
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Member Since: 1/5/2012
Posts: 4,667
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Get over it bottoms.
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Member Since: 5/31/2011
Posts: 2,594
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OK Eminem. Let's hope the $$ from your new album will be sufficient to buy you enough cocaine to overdose for good this time
• Little gay-looking boy •
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 11,649
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I'm not buying the album or songs so I remain unbothered by the double standards in rap.
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