Jay-Z has written and performed a brand-new pro-LGBTQ anthem called “Smile” that reveals his mom is gay.
The song, which appears on his brand-new album 4:44, will be available on TIDAL starting today (June 30th) for the dozens of people who subscribe.
It’s the first time the “Justify My Thug” artist has ever opened up about his mother Gloria’s sexuality, and it also includes a vocal interlude by her.
Jay-Z, who has penned such tracks as “Ghetto Techno” and “Hello Brooklyn 2.0,” writes of his mother’s many struggles raising four children while accepting her own lesbian identity.
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Related: “Beyoncé! Bring Me The Ax!” Jay-Z Samples “Mommie Dearest” On New Track
Showbiz411 reports Jay-Z — Beyoncé’s husband and the artist behind the Lil Kim and Puffy Daddy collab “I Know What Girls Like” –plaintively raps:
“Push through the pain so we can see new life/So all the ladies havin’ babies, see a sacrifice
“Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian/Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian/Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate/Society shame and the pain was too much to take
“Cried tears of joy when you fell in love/Don’t matter to me if it’s a him or her/I just wanna see you smile through all the hate/Marie Antoinette, baby, let ’em eat cake”.
It’s very literal.
Then Gloria herself comes in and says:
Living in the shadow
Can you imagine what kind of life it is to live?
In the shadows people see you as happy and free
Because that’s what you want them to see
Living two lives, happy, but not free
You live in the shadows for fear of someone hurting your family or the person you love
The world is changing and they say it’s time to be free
But you live with the fear of just being me
Living in the shadow feels like the safe place to be
No harm for them, no harm for me
But life is short, and it’s time to be free
Love who you love, because life isn’t guaranteed
Smile
Listen to a preview of ‘Smile’ below:
Hermes
I had no idea whatsoever. Blessed be he, blessed by she, blessed be they.
Hermes
Donston
So much better than “Same Love” and hollow crap of that ilk.
Richard 55
Doesn’t Jay Z swing both ways?
moby8403
Did no one else catch the shade when the article mentioned Tidal’s “DOZENS” of subscribers. I LOLed.
Kangol
Beautiful, both Jay-Z’s support for his mother and LGBTQ people, and his mother’s coming out and participation in the album. Very cool that it went live during LGBTQ Pride month, too.
@moby8403, I noted that Derek did drag Tidal!
jasentylar
Tidal may not be Pandora, Apple Music, or Spotify—but it’s getting there. I fully support Mr. Carter.