No homo
The phrase "no homo" is a slang term. It parenthetically asserts that the (male) speaker of such is not homosexual and is usually used before or after an utterance that may have given that impression.[2] It can generally be found in contemporary rap lyrics, for example in Jay-Z's "Run This Town," on Kanye West's verse: "It's crazy how you can go from being Joe Blow/ To everybody on your dick, no homo," or in Lil Wayne's "Let the Beat Build": "I wear bright red like a girl toe, no homo."
History
The term originated in East Harlem slang of the early 1990s.[1] It was used by many to distance themselves from the down-low stereotype of closeted gay and bisexual men.[3]
In the early 2000s, rapper Cam'ron and his group The Diplomats started using the phrase in their music. Since then, Lil Wayne has been among the most prolific users of the "no homo" adage, bringing it into mainstream usage.[1]
A parallel term is "pause," which has the same meaning and is often used by Jay-Z, among others.[1]
Criticism
Several social commentators have criticized the use of both "no homo" and "pause" in hip hop and in the mainstream. It has been said that the phrases "uphold an unhealthy relationship with homosexuality, a relationship based in fear."[4] Fox News commentator Marc Lamont Hill encouraged the hip-hop community to stop using "no homo" in their music.[5] At the same time, Slate columnist Jonah Weiner suggested the use of the phrase is somewhat more complex. Weiner notes several hip hop artists — such as Cam'ron and Lil Wayne — cultivate an extravagant and camp public persona while embracing homophobia thus saying "no homo" can help expand established concepts of masculinity, and challenge the status quo.[1] Nick Catucci, writing for New York magazine, disagrees with this assessment. In his view, "no homo" is merely another form of gay bashing, and to a large extent is used simply because it "just sounds good," and is easily applicable in rhymes. A rapper like Cam'ron, Catucci argues, will use the phrase, and dress in pink, simply to show that he is man enough to get away with it, without being suspected of being gay.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e Weiner, Jonah (2009-08-06). "Does This Purple Mink Make Me Look Gay?The rise of no homo and the changing face of hip-hop homophobia". Slate. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Matson, Andrew (2009-07-22). "Dear Eddie Francis, morning host at KUBE 93.3 FM: Cut the homophobia". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
- ^ a b Catucci, Nick (2009-08-07). "'No Homo': Cause for Hope in Hip-hop?". New York. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Matson, Andrew (2009-07-27). "The continuing saga of KUBE morning host Eddie Francis and American English's current homophobic lexicography". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
- ^ "Roundup: Kiss-Ins Spread, "No Homo" Must Go". The Advocate. 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
External links
- That's Gay: No Homo, October 7, 2009, Current TV.