Eminem denies homophobic intent behind lyrics: ‘I never equated those kinds of words’ with homophobia

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Rapper Eminem has defended his latest single “Rap God” which has been heavily criticised because it contains violently homophobic lyrics.

It was released earlier this week and has topped the UK and US iTunes charts.

The first verse contains lyrics about breaking “a mother******* table over the back of a couple faggots and crack it in half,” and, “You fags think it’s all a game.”

The second verse continues: “Little gay-looking boy / So gay I can barely say it with a straight face-looking boy / You witnessing massacre like you watching a church gathering taking place-looking boy / ‘Oy vey, that boy’s gay,’ that’s all they say looking-boy.”

The rap star in an interview with Rolling Stone has now denied that he used the word “fag”, or “faggot” in a homophobic way.

He said: “That word, those kind of words, when I came up battle-rappin’ or whatever, I never really equated those words . . .”

“Yeah. It was more like calling someone a bitch or a punk or asshole. So that word was just thrown around so freely back then.”

Also speaking of his Slim Shady persona which he sometimes uses, he said: ”And I think people know my personal stance on things and the personas that I create in my music.”

”If someone doesn’t understand that by now, I don’t think there’s anything I can do to change their mind about it.”

Gay, Culture Club singer Boy George since criticised Eminem for the lyrics, and urged a boycott of the rapper’s song.