Offset issues half-hearted apology over homophobic lyric
(Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Rapper Offset has issued a half-hearted apology after facing backlash this week with the release of new song, Boss Life, which has come under fire for homophobic lyrics.
The musician, who is part of the hip-hop group Migos, features on the YFN Lucci song for a verse in which he says: “Pinky ring crystal clear, 40k spent on a private lear, 60k solitaire, I cannot vibe with queers”.
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
The last part of the verse was heavily criticised online with listeners accusing him of homophobia.
“People saying ‘they’re just lyrics’ when you have a platform that big you’re responsible for your words. It’s easy to say ‘they’re just lyrics’ then the oppressive language doesn’t affect you,” one person wrote.
Another said: “Offset was ok with collaborating with Frank Ocean. He was ok with wearing all his designer clothes. Offset you’re canceled. I don’t f*ck with no sh*tty rappers.”
“Offset really went through a whole song + video production without one person saying “hey! this is highkey homophobic”…” a third added.
British rapper MNEK commented: “Offset saying he doesn’t vibe with queers while constantly wearing and PARADING clothes by gay designers is the REAL gag.”
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Offset, who is engaged to Cardi B, has since written an apology on Instagram in which he stressed that he had not meant to “offend” anyone but blatantly ignored the historic importance of the word “queer” as a homophobic insult which is now being reclaimed by the LGBTQ community.
Alongside a picture of the dictionary definition of queer, which omitted any reference to LGBTQ people, Offset explained that he did not “write the line about gay people”.
He said: “I have said before since these issues before that I got love for all people.
“My passion for fashion has lead me to a lot of gay people around me who I have mad respect for and we are very cool so I’m not in a place where I’m hating like that.
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“When I wrote that I was thinking of words that could rhyme with the others (here, lear, solitaire, bear) and I saw this definition about her having a queer feeling she was being watched and it fit what I was thinking about a stalker creepy paparazzi situation.”
He added that to him the word queer did not mean a gay person.
“I mean lame people who film you, post it and stalk you. Lingo that means strange or odd.
“I M S O R R Y
“I A P O L O G I Z E
“I’m offended I offended anybody,” he said.
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Some users on Twitter came out to defend the rapper.
One person wrote: “People tripping over offset saying he don’t like queers like b*tch what? Have you heard half of Eminem’s songs? People are so soft now a days like fr can’t say nothing without someone getting offended.”
Another added: “Offset been rapping about selling drugs and shooting people with all types of call of duty guns for how many years. Minimal articles. No outrage. “I don’t vibe with queers” now it’s big jihad. Bore off lol.
