Bon Iver promises to ‘kill’ homophobic Eminem track
US rapper Eminem. (Theo Wargo/Getty)
Bon Iver’s lead singer Justin Vernon has pledged to “kill” a homophobic Eminem song which he is featured on.
Eminem, who has repeatedly come under fire for using anti-LGBT+ lyrics in the past, last week released his new album, Kamikaze.
The track “Fall” takes aim at acclaimed rapper Tyler, The Creator—who has been open about dating men and referenced his sexuality on 2017 album Flower Boy.
Eminem has come under fire for the lyrics – not for the first time (Dave J Hogan/Getty)
Eminem took direct aim at his sexuality, rapping: “Tyler create nothing, I see why you called yourself a faggot, bitch/It’s not just ’cause you like attention.
“It’s ’cause you worship D12’s balls, you’re sac-rilegious/If you’re gonna critique me, you better at least be as good or better.”
The track led to criticism of the rapper for resorting to homophobic slurs that have been increasingly eschewed by mainstream rappers over the past few years.
Bon Iver singer Justin Vernon (Karlsen, Anette/AFP/Getty)
Justin Vernon, the frontman of indie folk band Bon Iver, responded to a fan who congratulated him for “Fall,” writing: “Was not in the studio for the Eminem track… came from a session with BJ Burton and Mike Will.
“Not a fan of the message, it’s tired. Asked them to change the track, wouldn’t do it.”
“Not a fan of the message” (blobtower/Twitter)
He added: “Eminem is one of the best rappers of all time, there is no doubt. I have and will respect that. Tho, this is not the time to criticise Youth, it’s the time to listen. To act.
“It is certainly not the time for slurs.
“It is certainly not the time for slurs” (blobtower/twitter)
“Wish they would have listened when we asked them to change it.”
This thought process culminated with a single, more decisive tweet in which the Grammy Award-winning Vernon wrote: “I was wrong and we are gonna kill this track.”
“We are gonna kill this track” (blobtower/twitter)
Eminem has not yet responded to the Bon Iver singer’s message.
The homophobic attack is far from the first time Eminem has come under fire for anti-gay lyrics.
Eminem has previously claimed that his use of anti-gay slurs such as “dyke” and “faggot” were not actually aimed at the LGBT+ community.
In a song titled “Criminal” on his second studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem’s lyrics include: “My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge/That’ll stab you in the head, whether you’re a fag or lez.
“Or the homosex, hermaph or a trans-a-vest/Pants or dress? Hate fags? The answer’s yes.”
Eminem has not yet responded (Kevin Winter/Getty)
The singer previously also came under fire for homophobic lyrics in his 2013 single “Rap God.”
He told Rolling Stone that he hadn’t used the words “fag” or “faggot” in a homophobic way, saying he hadn’t “really equated” that they would come across that way.
In 2010, Eminem came out in support of same-sex marriage, surprising many.
He said: “I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want.”
