NLE Choppa isn't shy about responding to accusations of "gay-baiting," which have followed the rapper for years. One Memphis rapper took a moment during an interview on 'The Breakfast Club' to clear the air and compare what he was going through to the likes of Michael Jackson and Prince.
He brought up the controversy again during his recent talk with Charlamagne 'Tha God,' DJ Envy, and Jess Hilarious while plugging his upcoming role in Black Heat alongside Dream Doll and Jason Williams. The conversation turned when the hosts mentioned his notorious moment on Kai Cenat's live stream, where he rapped his raunchy "Let me nut on your butt" lyrics while sitting next to Cenat. The moment went viral, and it reignited speculation about his sexuality and accusations of "gay-baiting."
NLE Choppa, never one to shy away from controversy, ruminated on how Black entertainers tend to be the focus of damaging narratives.
"Hey, you wanna know something?" he asked the hosts. What I realized about it was, like, with the greats, everything is a problem with them. They said Prince was gay. They said MJ [Michael Jackson] was doing something with kids. Some thought he was gay."
He continued that this scrutiny is unfairly directed at Black artists and rooted in more significant historical phenomena.
"Bruh, everybody that's great, especially that's of melanin color, we get crucified the most," he said. "And often it's really within our own community. It was like, you ain't innocent until proven guilty no more. We guilty, for real. And that's like something they've put in us since slavery, I guess."
Choppa even gave a historical example to make his case: "I feel like n* would have been hating on me for s*** back in the day if I got promoted to house n*. Like, how you mad at me? 'Cause I'm' fina be in the house cooling."
This isn't the first time NLE Choppa has been forced to respond to allegations of "gay baiting." He was seen earlier this year in a photo wearing designer underwear that went around online a few times, which also led to debate on whether or not he was pandering to get attention from the LGBTQ+ community.
Choppa adamantly shot down the allegations in a tweet storm, writing, "Never gay baiting. It's me showing freedom. Everything today is gay or it's bait. Publishing, in reality, I'm accurate enough, and trust to the highest degree that God made me great all the way through. Call me what you want, but a straight man comfortable in my skin I AM."
Central to NLE Choppa's argument is a discussion of how the public and the media, particularly when discussing Black figures, often "put labels" on certain people, one artist's sentiment, which can result in them being pigeonholed right up top. Whether or not the "gay-baiting" conversation ever continues, NLE Choppa will not allow public perception to alter the way he views himself, the way he views his art, or the way he views his identity.
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