J. Cole discusses his controversial lyrics

Quietly, the newest trend in rap has become rappers defending their lyrics. This time it’s J. Cole up against the critics, who are questioning him over his use of the gay slur on his Villuminati track.

“My verbal AK slay f*****s/ And I don’t mean no disrespect whenever I say ‘f****t,’ OK, f****t/ Don’t be so sensitive/ If you want to get fucked in the ass,” Cole raps in an almost nagging tone.

This is new territory for Cole, who’s music was fairly safe on his first project Sideline Story. Yet, the minor controversy may not be totally ill received by Cole, as it’s evidence that he’s giving his fans and adversaries something to think about. In an interview with the HuffPost, Cole expounds on the subject of his lyrics:

“There will soon come a day when people in general, and rap artists specifically, are going to have to answer for their past usage of the word ‘f****t,’ much like the Grandfathers who are ashamed that they used the word ‘n****r’ as kids. At a time when public acceptance of gay rights is soaring (rightfully), hip-hop culture and general are still battling with homophobia (not excluding myself). Rather than run from it I chose to attack it playfully. Those lyrics are meant to make everyone uncomfortable for the sake of this very conversation.”)

In an era where everything, especially art, can be analyzed and dissected without respect to context or creative freedom, it’s refreshing to see a rapper that can articulate his point as well as J.Cole did.