Gay rapper Makonnen explains why he didn’t come out earlier
Newly-out rapper Makonnen has opened up about his decision to come out – and fired back at homophobic critics.
Makonnen Sheran, who performs under the name iLoveMakonnen, made a splash in January when he came out as gay.
The Grammy-nominated artist took to Twitter to open up to his fans, explaining: ” I can’t tell u about everybody else’s closet, I can only tell u about mine, and it’s time I’ve come out.”
His news was welcomed by fans, but he was on the receiving end of homophobic abuse from rap group Migos, who said it was proof “the world is f**ked up”.
In an interview with Fader, the Makonnen fired back at the rap group, noting their debut single Versace references gay fashion designer Gianni Versace.
He said: “They f**kin’ song is “Versace”! Like, the f**k, n***a? [Gianni] Versace is the gayest n***a. They ain’t got issues with him, why they got issues with me?”
The rapper tried to downplay the dispute, adding: “I’m always about ‘let’s keep some peace’. It don’t even matter.
“Migos say whatever they said… it’s a misunderstanding. But there’s no war over here.”
He joked: “It can get messy in Atlanta, though, ’cause it’s probably more gays than it is goddamn straights! They will rise!”
About his decision to not come out earlier in his career, he added: “I just respect the game I’ve been invited to play. It’s like you’ve been called into the NBA and ‘Oh s**t, you scoring!’.
“Then you decided you want to wear a goddamn bandana, and that’s kinda not part of the NBA rules but, like, ‘It’s cool bruh, you can play, do your thing!’
“So the elders, they were kind saying, ‘Hip-hop, we don’t do all of that gay s**t, we all on straight s**t.’ But now it’s like — I put my bandana on.
“I guess everybody felt like I was lying and I was ashamed for it, ’cause I didn’t come out as gay earlier.
“It’s like, why do I need to come out as gay to do open heart surgery on your dumb ass? Please explain that.”
He’s not the only rapper to come out recently.
Brooklyn rapper Young MA recently opened up about her sexuality.
