February 11, 2014
Rapper T-Pain: Hip-Hop Has a Problem With Frank Ocean
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
In a recent interview with Vlad TV, rapper T-Pain went on a rant about homophobia in hip-hop and that some artists refuse to work with R&B superstar Frank Ocean because of his sexuality, Gay Star News reports.
"I think the radio is getting more gay friendly," he said. "I don't think urban music or anything is getting more gay friendly. If that was the case, Frank Ocean would be on a lot more songs. I know n****s that will not do a song with Frank Ocean just because he gay, but they need him on the f--king song and that's so terrible to me, man. It's like, 'Dude, my lifestyle ain't gonna change how people see you.'"
T-Pain, born Faheem Rasheed Najm, ranted about the issue about how rap treats the LGBT community for about six minutes, the Huffington Post notes. He also spoke about Ocean's work prior to being on Jay Z and Kanye West's 2011 album "Watch the Throne."
"Like, he was on the 'Watch the Throne' album before he came out," T-Pain said, "and then when he came out, it's like he can't get in the studio with Jay and Kanye right now. It's so fucking terrible. ... It's in his fucking genes. It's not a fucking choice. The man came out like that, and you can't just fucking disown this man because he's living a certain life that you don't fucking approve of because somebody told you not to approve of it."
Ocean came out in 2012 in a Tumblr post, just before his critically acclaimed debut LP "Channel Orange" came out. It should be noted, however, Ocean never specifically said he was gay but said he had been in love with a man when he was 19, which is highlighted on the album's track, "Bad Religion." Nevertheless, a number of musicians and people in the industry lauded Ocean for his announcement.
Check out T-Pain's full interview below: