The controversial practice of "outing" has recently re-entered the nation's consciousness, thanks largely to playwright and activist Larry Kramer's contention that Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, and other historical figures were gay. But outing is a hardly a new phenomenon in the world of hip hop, and perhaps no act has embraced the politics of outing with the vigor of N.W.A. With Dr. Dre's much-anticipated Chronic 2000 coming soon and Dre protege Eminem's first major-label album just out, now is a good time to examine some of the important work N.W.A members have done over the years to legitimize outing as a political and artistic tool for gay liberation.
Tupac Shakur
Person Or Group Being Outed: Dr. Dre
Pertinent Song Lyric: "'California Love' part motherfucking 2 / without gay-ass Dre" —"To Live And Die In L.A."
Possible Political Motive: Realizing that young gay people have few out homosexuals to look up to, particularly in the world of hip hop, Shakur wishes to establish Dr. Dre as a positive gay role model for teens.
Ice Cube
Person Or Group Being Outed: The Los Angeles Police Department
Pertinent Song Lyric: "I don't know if they fags or what / search a nigga down and grabbin' his nuts" —"Fuck Tha Police"
Possible Political Motive: Cube is trying to fight the stereotype that gays don't have tough, masculine jobs in such fields as law enforcement.
Ice Cube
Person Or Group Being Outed: Eazy-E, MC Ren, Dr. Dre, Jerry Heller, DJ Yella
Pertinent Song Lyric: "Calling me on the phone, you Benedict! /Eazy saw your ass and went in it quick" —"No Vaseline"
Possible Political Motive: By graphically describing the homosexual activities of the members of N.W.A, Cube lets young people know that gays are everywhere, even in popular gangsta-rap acts.
Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg
Person Or Group Being Outed: Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew
Pertinent Song Lyric:"Now understand this my nigga, Dre can't be touched / Luke's bending over, Luke's gettin' fucked, busta" —"____ Wit Dre Day"
Possible Political Motive: Dre and Snoop illustrate that even those with vigorous heterosexual sex lives may be self-loathing gays whose anxiety about their sexuality keeps them from contributing to the movement.
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