Queer and Hip Hop

Rapper Nicki Minaj has quickly caught the eyes of the queer community with her raps about stopping on the streets only for a “real real bad lesbian” and her suggestive song titles like “Girls Kissing Girls.” But is she even a lesbian? Who knows. And that’s actually far besides the point.

Whether or not Minaj is straight, lesbian or queer, Minaj has brought attention to gayness in everyday society through her music. Minaj told Paper magazine in an interview that she “didn’t set out to do that,” but merely wants to rap about the people who support her. And Minaj said that the gay community has always been supportive of her. But whatever her reasons are, Minaj’s references to gay culture in her music helps move hip hop culture closer to accepting homosexuality. And considering hip-hop’s big influence in society, if hip-hop embraces gayness, maybe the rest of society will follow suit.