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    Ja Rule Looks in 'The Mirror,' Comes Clean on Homophobia

    • Posted on Sep 26th 2007 11:25AM by Jessica Robertson
    • Comments (43)
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    In a September interview with Complex magazine, rapper Ja Rule -- born Jeffrey Atkins -- responded to criticism of hip-hop lyrics with his own critique of mainstream media: "We need to go step to MTV and Viacom, and lets talk about all these f---ing shows that they have on MTV that is promoting homosexuality, that my kids can't watch this s---," he said. "Dating shows that's showing two guys or two girls in mid afternoon. Let's talk about s--- like that! If that's not f---ing up America, I don't know what is."

    The quote sparked an immediate backlash, with GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) issuing the following statement: "No fair-minded person can look at Ja Rule's interview with Complex magazine and believe for one second that his children could be more harmed by what they might see on television than by the vulgarity and prejudice that comes out of their father's mouth."

    Spinner spoke with the rapper -- who releases his new album,'The Mirror,' a collection of songs he says reflects his own recent self-discovery, on Nov. 13 -- to find out what truth actually lies in that reflection.

    Let's get to this straightaway: You caused quite a bit of controversy with your comments in Complex magazine, saying -- and I'm paraphrasing -- that homosexuality is what's wrong with America. Is it accurate to say that you suffer from some degree of homophobia?

    I'm a very avid speaker for all people's rights and people having their own preference. I was taken out of context. My statement was more about where our mind state is as a people. We're focused on the wrong things -- like, our country is at war right now. These things are more of a problem to me. Like another case I just read about -- young ladies being raped by six white men. These are the stories that should be popping up on my TV screen. That's what I was talking about, and somehow it got spun into some other s---.

    How would you react if one of your kids told you that he or she was gay?

    That's their own preference. I'm going to love them regardless. I have relatives that are homosexuals and, you know, they come over for Christmas, hang out. It's something that starts with us. That's why my album is named 'The Mirror' -- because everybody has to look at themselves and take it upon themselves to educate. It's my responsibility to educate my children -- not the TV. I think a visual is more influential than audio, but that goes without being said. You know, that's the world we live in and people are tight in the collar about a lot of issues. It is what it is.

    Where do you stand on gay marriage?


    It's really not my business. I really could care less. It's not something that bothers me.

    This seems to contradict some of the preconceived notions the public may have about you.

    People have a lot of misconceptions about me and it has a lot to do with me being a rap artist -- me being a young black man. You know, I get it a lot when I do films. Sometimes, I come fit and they just automatically think that I'm going to be late or I'm not going to be focused because that's what other rappers do on the set. I'm a hard worker, I come here to do my job and that's what it is. There's a lot of stereotypes that we get as rappers and young black men that are not fair.

    Does that frustrate you?


    Sometimes, but you gotta take the good with the bad. That's life. I understand it. I know it'll be a struggle for me -- being a young black man in America. And it's always been tough for me to get my point across as a rap artist.



    How do you feel about the state of hip-hop today?

    I think it's at a good state. I think there's some good dance music. The kids are having fun with. It reminds me of a time when I was younger when older records came out. And, with Kanye [West] releasing his album, people have some substance. That's what my album is -- straight substance.

    Speaking of Kanye, it's not uncommon to hear about rappers having "beef" with one another, be it genuine or for publicity. Case in point: Kanye and 50. Who is someone that you've been accused of having beef with that you don't at all?

    For the record, I don't have beef with anybody. "Beef "is a very serious word and when it hits the media, it becomes more of a circus or a WWF-type thing. That's what beef is to the media. To me, and where I come from, it's a very serious thing. If you've got beef with somebody, it's a dangerous thing. So I don't got beef with anybody. There's no dangers. There's just hip-hop, just words, you know. Sticks and stones.

    In addition to your new album, I know you have a couple of movies coming up. What do you get from acting that music doesn't or can't necessarily provide?

    I just finished two films: 'Half Past Dead' and 'Don't Fade Away.' They'll be out later this year. I think 'Half Past Dead' will be going straight to video and 'Don't Fade Away' will be out in theaters. [Acting] is a rush. I get to get my crazy on -- I get to become someone else. I get to go away for two to three months and become a whole other person. The last [movie] I did, I played a surgeon. So for a couple months before I even went to shoot the film, I'm hanging around hospitals over in my neighborhood, trying to get a feel for what they do, how they live. I grew my hair out, they cut my mustache, my beard ... I had my hair parted. I was living that role. Sometimes that release, as crazy as it may sound, is a breath of fresh air. I get to release that energy.

    Do you find it hard to be in the public eye given the expectations that surround you or the stigma that's attached to your name?

    It's not always all good being an artist. Sometimes that stuff gets frustrating. I don't let it bother me, but I know how it gets. Other artists talk to me about these things and I try to get on my page and say, "F--- 'em. Let them say what they're gonna say." I got a song on my album called 'Heard 'Em Say,' and it's just about that. I'm rhyming about myself on the record saying s--- that the haters would say. It's refreshing because you don't gotta say it, I say it my motherf---in' self. It doesn't matter what people think about you, it doesn't matter what people say about you. Be your own person. At the end of the day you can't look at the mirror and lie to yourself.

    Watch Ja Rule's 'Body' Video
    • Filed under: News, Exclusive
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    Reader Comments(1 of 3)

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    bounat 5-08-2008

    le nouveau ja rule est d'enfer!

    Reply
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    Wandaat 9-26-2007

    Ja Rule was smart enough to change his story about homosexuality.

    Sit boo boo sit, good dog!

    Whether it was taken out of text or not, the fact that he said it means he is a homophobe. By now, these little rappers should know by now that they are surrounded heavily in the entertainment industry by the gay and lesbian community. I would not by his music anyway, and after reading, "Confessions Of a Video Vixen," I lost all respect for him because he cheated on his wife and family. He is just another man who does not measure up!

    Thank you for revealing yourself Ja Rule!

    Reply
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    Johnat 9-26-2007

    Wow Wanda, he's an entertainer! Name one male entertainer that has commited adultry while doing his thing in the music industry? I think this shows him as a human being, and he did make a mistake with that homosexual remark...but still..he's human. And the media throws stuff like that out of context all the time..so give the brotha a break

    Reply
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    Jennieat 9-26-2007

    I am a lesbian and Ja rule thank you for ur stand with us gay people.

    Reply
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    Chocolate Rainat 9-26-2007

    Ja Rule is such a wuss for changing the statements that he knows came from his heart. MTV is destroying out youth's minds by promoting that filth in midday.

    If he thinks homosexuality is wrong he should stand on his conviction, don't let a organization like GLAAD prevent you from exercising your right to free thought. And yes, homosexuality is a sin.

    Reply
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    MrMcFantasyat 9-26-2007

    Ja was dead ass right about all that homo shit on MTV...live your life, be an ass muncher all you want...but don't show that shit on tv early in the afternoon for kids to be seeing...and you wanna censor Hip-Hop but show two young men kissing and parents setting thm up on "gay-dates". That truly is fucked up! Call me a homophobe all you want...but I don't approve of them broadcasting it like that.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Must you all be idiots?at 9-26-2007

    Ja Rule is an ass. What has his music contributed to society? The problem does not lie with what MTV or Ja Rule choose to entertain us with. Key word, Entertain, it's unfortunate that people can't make the decision for themselves and be conscious about what they consume. If you dont like what is being aired on T.V. write a fucking letter, turn it off or change the fucking channel, as if there isn't plenty of other garbage to watch. Why are his kids watching MTV anwyay? Ja rule should switch the channel to PBS, watch Sesame Street so that he and his children might learn a thing or two. "Ja", you are not alone, there are plenty of idiots to spare.

    Reply
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    cbigat 9-27-2007

    These people need to stop making statements and then claim later that it was taking out of context. If my kid came and told me that he was gay I would still be against it. I ain't changing my position for no man. I ride with the Almighty God.

    I had a cousing who was that way and he died of aids. See what your sinning gets you in the long run. That is nasty and will always be nasty. Now, I got to WARN my children about this mess going on. It is getting out of hand. It is everywhere (i.e. government, schools, tv, public).

    ANIMALS DON'T DO THAT!!!

    Reply
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    peterat 10-22-2007

    Ja Rule ain't all that. Just like anything else, if you don't want to what's on the channel, press the button on the channel changer... simple as that. Why you got to be all judgemental and chastising on people when the log in your blind eye needs plucking? Stop hating on what you don't know cuz it shows your ignorance.

    Reply
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    adamat 9-27-2007

    I saw an episode of 'My Super Sweet 16' where a girl cried and called her mother a "stupid-ass bitch" for buying her the wrong car. And I saw an episode of 'The Hills' where this one vapid blonde girl dropped out of school halfway through her first day, because she got an unpaid internship that might include getting to go to cool parties. Or I could talk about a pretty large percentage of mainstream rap videos I have seen that are either wildly chauvanistic or just incredibly stupid.

    So....it's alright for our children to watch that stuff, but GAYS ON TV????!

    Reply
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    morenoat 9-27-2007

    Wanda, you are dumb. So because the man made a mistake you are going to hold a grudge on him? that is just plain stupid and you dont even know him. Like you said, they are surrounded by the media and you only get to know what the media wants you to know about him. So, dont be so quick judging others.

    Reply
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    levicticus 20:13at 9-27-2007

    Why is it not ok to say homosexuality is wrong? Its free speech.

    Reply
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    Darianat 9-27-2007

    No one is saying that you can't believe that homosexuality is a sin or even verbally express your feelings. But the problem comes in when people use the bible as a weapon of hate and oppression . Many christians find it acceptable to blast the scripture from Leviticus to condemn homosexuals but they ignore all of the other laws as they apply to their lives.

    Whether parents or the religious right agrees with homosexuality or not, their has been gay people since the beginning of time and their will continue to be. Every human being deserves to be treeated with decency and respect regardless of their sexual orientation. It's time out for the blatant homophobia and the ignorant one-liners.

    The kids who are watching MTV have gay friends at school , at church, and in their families. It's not the kids who are being affected negatively, it's their parents who are stuck in the stone-age who teach them how to be homophobic and discriminatory. Different doesn't always mean bad. If people would open their hearts and their minds they would be able to learn that lesson.

    Reply
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    Jamalat 9-27-2007

    So many hateful people. BEING GAY IS LIFE. Period.

    Right on, Wanda, Peter and Adam.

    Reply
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    Meccaat 9-27-2007

    Personally I'm ok with seeing gay people on the television, parents setting up their gay children on dates, etc. It's showing that gay people are not out of the ordinary, like most people would want to believe. It's also giving positive examples of supportive families. Every gay person doesn't have a horrible story of their families or friends disowning them just b/c they came out of the closet.

    Reply
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    MiMiat 9-27-2007

    adam- i agree, but then some parts he(Ja) is right alot of things on t.v/mtv promotes bad stuff! Its not that they are gay but how they promote it is sexualy, and kinda fake! I have not seen 1 true dyke on MTV dating shows just "femme" girls, matter of fact i havent rly seen a black,latino,asian gay man on mtv DATING shows(maybe i missed an episode)! They just show the SEXUAL plastic casing of gay young adults! I hate how they have the new Tila Tequila show, the bisexual SEXUAL stuff is just stupid and wrong, lets see MTV put on a dating show about a bisexual Male! I have no problems with gays/bisexuals, but when they are that prefernce just for sexual stuff it is just wrong! ooh & Ja Rule just needs to retire lol, cause he just gets cornier with each CD.

    Reply
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    Kgethiat 10-01-2007

    Homosexuality's crap.Ja's career's DEAD.

    Reply
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    travisat 9-28-2007

    yeah ja rule said some shit bout the gays but the gays shouldnt have all their shit on t.v and everything else,they should keep it to their selves cuz they are goin to hell anyways.

    Reply
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    ibflossingat 9-28-2007

    To Moreno,

    Yes, we as human being made mistake sometime in our live. But to use that as an excuse is just plain old. I don't know this Ja rule ( rule what?) rapper, but it's alright to use half naked woman in rap video. It's derogotory , period. Calling woman hoes and bitches so cd can come flying off the shelf. What a hippocrit. The reason why most people think that being in love with the same sex is wrong mainly because two men or two women can't create a life (a baby). Religion is man made. It's a belief. I hear it all the time. People tends to think that their belief is more superior than others. Christianity is better than Buddisim, or Buddisim is better than Catholic,etc.....on and on. It's about the higher being , the holy spirit. Believe whatever you choose , but I'm so sick of people using religion as an excuse. The pilgrams move here from England because they were being force to believe in King something , something (Hint: King James version bible) so, they move here to the U.S.(giving the american indian diseases, such as smallpox) because they want to be able to have their own belief. Anyway, back to the Ja thing, never purchase his cd and never will. My hard earn money will not be waste listen to garbage. He can't even speak.

    Reply
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    Team America 1at 9-28-2007

    Team America,

    LOL, If you really believed all gays were pussies you would show your name and location. Dont talk shit about things you dont know. Gay bashers need to suck it up and educate themselves and then they could stop been ignorant.

    But team america, no hard feelings.

    Reply
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