There were plenty of questionable decisions made at last night’s VMAs, but none were nearly as disastrous as the decision to let A$AP Rocky share the stage with newly out NBA star Jason Collins…without a script.
The rapper made his thoughts on homophobia in hip-hop clear in an interview with Interview Magazine in April, saying “it makes me upset that this topic even matters,” and that homophobia is “retarded.” This man clearly knows how to choose his words.
When the two appeared onstage together to introduce Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love” performance, it could have been a trailblazing example of hip hop’s acceptance of homosexuality (a hotly debated topic since Snoop Lion spoke up). Instead, it was an incredibly awkward mess.
“The only way things change is when you stand up for what you believe in,” Jason Collins said.
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Turning to introduce Macklemore, obviously without a script, A$AP said “he stand up for everything he believe in as far as everybody being equal, color… homosexuality,” while pointing a finger at Collins.
Uh, thanks for the introduction?
B Damion
O.M.G..I thought it was just me. lol this was very very awkward. Why was he helping to into-this rapper is known to hate the gays.
B Damion
A$AP- is full of shit. He doesn’t like gay people at all. This is a front to try an sell albums.
Kieran
I understand ASAP be doin’ his ghetto talk to show how tough he be. But what’s with his hair-do?
hotshot70
When a famous person says or does something homohobic, I stop listening to their music, watching theri movies/tv shows, and refuse to buy anything connected to them.
Kangol
A$AP Rocky appeared to be trying, but I also hope he realizes when he looks in the mirror that he styles himself after black gay men and women. Not sure if he’s aware of that, but he should be.
In fact, it’s courageous LGBTIQ people, including black lesbians, gays and trans people, who open up a space in our society and culture for “straight” thugged out rappers like him to wear hair parted and plaited like Whoopie Goldberg in The Color Purple, kilts, skirts and skorts, ambiguous jewelry, and everything else he likes to roll through the streets in.
LadyL
Trying to have it both ways much?
LadyL
@Kangol: Excellent point.
Matt G
it’s saying something when this is much less awkward (partly saying Martha is a badass)
Matt G
Derp- Google “Martha Stewart Busta Rhymes” for a less awkward VMAs presentation
Nyruinz
@LadyL:
A$AP is just trying to maintain his street cred,that’s a front. He was serving Little Richard realness with that outfit and hair. I mean come on this man rode the #2 train to the VMA’s with his victoria secret model Chanel Iman.
eigilvesti
twenty~somethings are as dumb as bricks…
with that said…. i think he was trying to say something positive…
in his own little mind.