Cardi B defends Migos rapper Offset after ‘queers’ lyric controversy
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 22: Cardi B performs at E11EVEN on November 22, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for E11EVEN)
Singer Cardi B has defended Migos rapper Offset after a controversy over a lyric he rapped including the word “queers”.
Rapper Offset, Cardi B’s fiance, earlier this week issued a half-hearted apology after facing backlash 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.
And singer Cardi B has waded into the controversy, saying she has seen Offset “around gays” and that she knows “he’s not” homophobic.
In a Periscope video, Cardi B says: “I’m not going to let somebody call him ‘homophobic’ when I know that he’s not, and I’m saying this because I seen him… around gays, and he treats them with the same respect he treats everybody.
“He never acts uncomfortable and he just don’t care.
“Now, that’s a word that you guys say that it’s a bad word for gays – I never even heard that word in the first place – why don’t y’all educate people about it?” she added.
“A lot of people are not aware about what’s wrong or right in the LGBT community. Why don’t we do things to educate instead of bashing and trying to label something that they not? Our schools never teach us that these are bad words.”
But fans are unhappy with the lyrics, noting that the rapper wears clothes designed by gay designers, and that he has collaborated with bisexual singer Frank Ocean.
“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.”
Related: his rapper saved an LGBTQ teen from becoming homeless – and the response was heartwarming
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.
Related: Snoop Dogg accused of homophobia over video questioning ‘gay rapper’
“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.
This is not the first time Migos has been accused of homophobia in the past year.
The trio worked with Katy Perry last year on a live performance of the track Bon Appetit.
They denied that they refused to work with drag queens on the SNL set after being accused of homophobia.
