After a week of mis-communications, accusations of homophobia, and anger from gay fans and supporters, DC’s own rapper Wale showed up at DC Black Pride’s Annual Fitness & Wellness Expo to let his gay fans know, he’s not a homophobic. It was announced last week by Wale’s booking agent that Wale would not be able to perform at DC’s Black Pride Expo due to the fact that Wale did not know what type of event it was. Wale spent most of the week setting the record straight on twitter and replying to his fans and followers explaining that that was not the case and after realizing the affect and damage his booking agent had caused, Wale announced that he would cancel what he had planned to show up on Sunday at DC Black Pride. Once on stage, Wale explained:
“One thing I stand for is Hip Hop music. And Hip Hop music is no race, no color, no age, no gender, no sexual orientation, none of that. So the most important thing about it is the music. And if it makes people feel happy, that’s why we’re here. I will say. Sometimes, in this business you get in align with people that don’t understand that or don’t necessary have the same beliefs as you do and I apologize for not having my best foot forward. And I’m going to do better as we all do. Everyday we got to get better. So I apologize on behalf of my team not being the way they supposed to be…”
He sat down with Ebony Belle of MetroWeekly.com and did an interview and explained further about his love for everybody. Check out the interview below.
Wale Performing “Chillin”
Kudos to DC Black Pride, Metro Weekly, bloggers, and fans for not backing down and making sure that the LGBT community is respected! Hopefully more mainstream male artist will take on this same approach in the future and begin to recognize their gay fans and followers who support and buy their music.
why much respect to Wale for aligning his self with people who represent him that don’t feel the way he supposedly does…if i was represented by someone who hated black people, and I found out. I would replace them. so wale maybe a publicity stunt.
He didn’t say they hated gays. Everybody has different opinions and beliefs and in any type of business their are going to be people they you HAVE to deal with that don’t have the same belief as you. You have to realize though, that you still have a business relationship with those people. You can’t just drop everybody that don’t believe what you believe. Not to mention he’s not the biggest star in the world in the 1st place. But yes I believe Wale was genuine about his comments. Btw he did the show for free as well.
There is clearly a bunch to realize about this. I assume you made some good points in features also.