"Same Love"

In a musical genre that is often labeled as negative, misogynist, and homophobic, rap/hip-hop artists Macklemore and Ryan Lewis went against all of the stereotypes associated with their genre on the biggest stage possible. To many observers, 2014 will be remembered as the year that the Grammy’s went gay. The duo performed their song “Same Love” at the Grammy’s along with Madonna, Queen Latifah, and Mary Lambert while 34 couples, gay and straight, wed each other on stage. The performance made a huge splash in the United States as they brought the same sex marriage issue into our living rooms. The concert was much larger than just a catchy song; it was symbolic of the growing support for same sex marriage in pop culture.

Rap and hip-hop have always had a tumultuous relationship with the homosexual community for obvious reasons. Many of the biggest names in rap have been very open about their dislike for gays. Several examples include the time when 50 Cent said in a 2004 interview with Vibe Magazine, “I ain’t into f*ggots, I don’t like gay people around me, because I’m not comfortable with what their thoughts are.” Another rapper who is well known for his use of homophobic slurs and the uproar he has caused among homosexual organizations is Eminem. In his song “Criminal” from his 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP, he raps, “My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge/That’ll stab you in the head whether you’re a fag or les. Or the homosex, hermpah, or a trans-a-vest/Pants or dress, hate fags? The answer’s ‘yes’!”. Obviously Slim Shady’s lyrics had not been taken well by GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and they chose to protest outside the Staples Center at the Grammy’s that year when he performed alongside the openly gay Elton John. Although the two artists embraced after they were finished performing, it can hardly be considered a monumental act that promoted equality among homo and heterosexuals. Rapper Erik Sermon also chose to weigh in on homosexuality in a 2012 interview with Vlad TV. “Being a rapper and being homosexual don’t mix…It’s the same when you talk about sports players too. We don’t know if that’s going to ever happen because that’s like a curse to be in sports and to be gay and be in hip-hop and be gay.” This is a perfect example of just how much has changed regarding gays coming out in the mainstream. An NBA player (Jason Collins), an NFL player (Michael Sam), and an R&B artist (Frank Ocean), have all come out within the last two years. Erik Sermon surely did not see that coming. However, not all rappers are anti-gay. Jay-Z, Kanye West, Asher Roth, Nicki Minaj, Lil B, A$AP Rocky, and others have all voiced their support for same sex love and marriage.

Although the song “Same Love” is not the first song in hip-hop to speak about gay struggle, it is the first to come from such a popular artist on such a large stage. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ended up taking home four Grammy’s in the rap category for best performance, best song (Thrift Shop), best album (The Heist), and best new artist in any genre. In “Same Love” Macklemore addresses his own experiences as a child when he thought he was gay based on certain stereotypes he had associated with homosexuals like being good at drawing and keeping his room straight. I can certainly relate to him in the aspect that since I was little there were always certain things you knew not to do or you would be called gay such as dance, cheerleading, or even being too good at singing. Not only were the lyrics to the song very upfront about how America needs to come to accept people for who they are, but also the performance was equally upfront while it displayed numerous homosexual marriages for mainstream America to view first hand. Ever since I can remember gay marriage has been a hotly debated topic in my lifetime. Religion is obviously a major factor that plays into it, but I think with the mainstream media being so accepting towards homosexuals, people will begin to feel less and less scared to come out and really be themselves. President Obama has also made it publicly known that he is in favor of gay marriage. There are finally some athletes and singers coming out of the closet and there are only bound to be more that follow. If history is any indicator, the more and more people are exposed to something the less shocking it becomes over time. Currently there are 19 states that allow same sex marriage and 31 states that have banned it. However, if the current trend continues it will not take long for the rest of the U.S. to allow same sex marriages.

 

            Homophobia is still very prevalent not only in the world of hip-hop and rap but also throughout Middle America. With new and upcoming generations being educated and exposed to same sex marriage on a mainstream level in pop culture as well as older generations passing, this homophobia can only decrease. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ performance symbolized the growing acceptance of homosexuals and the Marriage Equality Act. In “Same Love” Macklemore raps, “America the brave still fears what we don’t know.” With President Obama and other large names making a statement in favor of same sex marriage hopefully people will start to be comfortable in their own skin and be more accepting and understanding of others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka9ybs5L-bY

Brian Herther

Works Cited

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Kristoff, Katie. "'We Laughed, We Cried, We Yawned' Watching the Grammys." Flyer

News. Flyer News, 30 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 July 2014.

Yuscavage, Chris. "10 Rappers Who Have Gotten Into Trouble For Making Homophobic

Statements." Vibe. Vibe, 9 Jan. 2013. Web. 31 July 2014.