I will be the first to admit that I don’t listen to a lot of rap. I find the misogynistic lyrics and foul language often heard in rap disturbing. I don’t like it when I hear cuss words in any music.
I can appreciate the ability to rhyme off the cuff as well as the ability to speak/sing lyrics at an incredibly fast pace and still be intelligible. (I used to be involved in debate in my younger days. “Spewing” as we called it was a highly valued skill).
Forgive me, however, if I am a little skeptical of a rapper’s recent apology for using the line, “I’m aritistic, you n***** is autistic, retarded”.
The lyrics in question are on a collaboration with another rapper. Albums go through a lot of production. It seems to me someone in the development chain could have and may have pointed out how offensive those lyrics would be found.
It also seems likely that one or more persons (including the rappers) could have seen the lyric and let it through with the intention the rapper would apologize if there was any kind of uproar. (Going with the idea that there is no such thing as bad publicity).
I understand this rapper’s album is competing against Kanye West’s for the top of the charts. The birth of Kanye’s daughter has increased his visibility. This apology has now put the competing rapper in the spotlight. (On the chance this was done for publicity, I won’t name the rapper in question). It all seems a little convenient to me.
I personally think his lyric is misguided and uneducated. I really would like to think it came as an off the cuff rhyme and no one thought twice about it, but I do have my niggling doubts.
I personally think his lyric is misguided and uneducated. I really would like to think it came as an off the cuff rhyme and no one thought twice about it, but I do have my niggling doubts.
It is a nice apology. I truly hope he has come to realize what some of the struggles we families with Autism face are. Even more- it would be nice if he became an advocate for Autism awareness. Even though Autism rates are climbing, too many people do not really understand Autism as evidenced by the whole situation.
I’m posting the apology below with the rapper’s name concealed. You be the judge.
From Yahoo:
**** wrote that when he first heard a backlash from those who deal with the developmental disorder he immediately realized he went too far.
“I was instantly embarrassed that I would be ignorant enough say something so hurtful,” **** wrote. “What makes the crime worse is that I should have known better.”
**** goes on to write that he’s inspired by those who reached out to him: “I have now read stories online from parents about their struggles and triumphs with raising an autistic child and I admire how incredibly strong you have to be to do so,” he wrote. “It’s touching. It also makes what I said even more embarrassing for me. I feel real shame.”
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