One Small Step for Hip Hop: Rapper Murs and the Kiss That Set the Internet Abuzz

July 24th, 2012 - By madamenoire

Source: complexmedia.com

By Justin Ray

Following Frank Ocean’s announcement of a tryst with another man, rapper Murs has released a new video to accompany his single “Animal Style” that has the internet buzzing.

Although many celebrities commended Ocean for his strength, Murs has taken his support for same-sex equality to a level not many would have the courage. The music video tells a story about two gay youths in high school struggling to maintain a relationship while living in a less than supportive environment. Murs plays Roderick who is in the closet while dating another student, Jonathan. The video depicts the heterosexual rapper upping the same-sex support ante by kissing his male actor counterpart.

Murs’ character Jonathan finds being in a gay relationship too risky and pummels his boyfriend into the ground to avoid being outed in front of his friends. At the end of the story, the two teenage lovers meet again but Roderick pulls out a gun and shoots his boyfriend as well as himself.

The rapper has made a profound statement with the video, calling out all those who oppose gays.
It is a courageous gesture considering that the rap game isn’t exactly the most supportive towards gay people. The music video also features interspersed shots of the rapper rocking a “Legalize Gay” shirt, making his stance abundantly clear.

Sadly, Murs’ is getting more attention for the kiss; but truth be told, the most daring feature of the song is the lyrics. Murs describes his character’s inner conflict with religion: “So he lived in fear of God’s wrath/ The preacher said that God loves us all except fags.” His inner conflict with religion leads him into a downslide of self loathing and eventually the murder/suicide. Of course there can be a lengthy dialogue about whether the message is about organized religion or religion with a capital R; regardless, the fact that he outlined how religion can make gays unjustly hate themselves is more courageous than any kiss could be.

Murs explained his intentions with the song on Youtube: “The first was to be an advocate for people close to me who are out, and those who have yet to come out. It’s also a love song, which is nothing new for me. But with this one I wanted to challenge the listener to ask themselves: Is the love shared by two people of the same gender, really that different than the love I have for my partner of the opposite sex?”
The future of rap may take a new course with more musicians showing support and going against the grain of the history of rap. Last year Lil B released an album entitled “I’m Gay (I’m Happy)” and later revealed he received death threats. Although his support for same-sex rights is more obtuse, he did make a statement about the climate of homophobia in hip hop and his apathy towards it.

Hip hop is meeting a tipping point. Universally respected hip hop artists–Jay Z, Kanye, Eminem, Russell Simmons–are releasing statements in support of gay people. Even the future pioneers of rap have shown support. A$AP Rocky once said about homosexuality that you lose too many friends being homophobic and that hating gays is like being sexually racist.

Murs, along with other rappers who champion the cause, use their influence to show future generations that being gay isn’t a crime. The US government suggests that gay people are not equal citizens by not federalizing gay marriage nor any form of legislation that would at least give gay people some legal recognition to be honored by each state. However, public figures who have influence can show others that supporting gay people shows more strength than rejecting them. Hell, it can even be lucrative.

Either way, the tides suggest that homophobia in the rap community will one day be a state of mind to be laughed at in the future, and Murs has helped that become a possibility.

Check out his groundbreaking song and the video below.

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  • http://twitter.com/MadameGigglez Sailor Moon

    Question. who is Murs?

  • Cocoa

    I think the celebration that gays receive that several commenters have mentioned is less about the celebration of homosexuality in itself, and moreso about the celebration of someone speaking his or her truth, whatever that truth may be. If a celebrity decides to speak out against molestation or abuse, because these things happened in his or her household growing up, then I think the world and media would “celebrate” that, as well. This act of “coming out of the closet” whether it be regarding one’s sexuality or some other societal faux pas that people normally sweep under the rug, not only frees the speaker, but it inspires many others to free themselves, as well.

  • Pearls

    I do not hate gays but this whole its like being a black person …. uhm gay community have several seats.
    If people don’t agree with the lifestyle ok let them be. I feel like now if people just say well I don’t agree with the lifestyle they get bashed as if they said I vote for hate crimes. Seriously if any one says they don’t agree with the gay marriage or gay adoption that is their opinion no one not even Christians need to be shoving their views down anyone throat. I do feel like sometimes when people just voice they don’t agree with it the gay community plays victim and make it seem you are supporting hate and you get painted to be closed minded. Just because being gay is now a hot topic and now its “in” doesn’t mean I have to roll with it. I almost feel scared for people like the girl who ran for miss America they asked her what she thought and she gave her answer. this girl got attacked really bad. that is what pisses me off. Why ask? Why attack her?? but then cry out about people attacking gays. Come on. Its called forcing views on others. No its call an opinion like i don’t support gay marriage but I do not hate gay people at all and don’t go around bashing people for getting married and supporting gay marriage. But the media and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon attacking people who do not support it…. Trust me the gay community

    • sheane

      Okay there are SEVERAL similarities between the Civil Rights movement and the LGBT movement right now. Want me to give a few examples? Okay, ONE people are using the Bible as a reason why gays should be second class citizens and not have the same rights as everybody else (sounds familiar?). TWO a person can be fired (at least in the state of Pennsylvania) for being homosexual (am I getting warmer?) THREE people protest with hate mongering sayings like “Fags are going to hell” at Pride parades, etc. FOUR people say that homosexual couples can’t raise a “normal” child because “a normal family HAS to have a mother and a father” and “if God had wanted them to have kids he would’ve gave them the equipment so they could have them”, etc. Take those above comments and substitute gay or homosexual for BLACK! It’s a lot alike and the fact that some of you people can’t (or REFUSE to see) the similarities scare me.

    • Kayo

      Being gay isn’t a lifestyle.

    • Kayo

      Being gay isn’t a lifestyle.

  • Son of God

    man all gay people need to shut the hell up… Ok, your gay now move on… you all create this false perception that yall are victims when Gay people are the most successful people in America..Most rappers are gay, most athletes are gay and especially most entertainers are gay so Why is it brave to come out when mostly everything is Gay anyway?…People saying “Frank Ocean is so brave” then he drops and album right after he came out the closet…Serious Side Eye..I don’t dislike Gay people, i wish you all the best just like the next person but get over yall selves…Everyone does not like to see two men kissing…and i know the gay community would say ” just don’t look at it” well how about yall stop throwing it in everyone’s face.. You all talk about Christians being judgmental and in the same breathe you all do some judgmental nonsense just like Christians do…Like someone said earlier when are we going to focus on the real issues… Education, jobs, and this corrupt @$$ government?

    • dontdoit

      Take what you just typed, do a Word “find and replace” and everywhere you have the word gay replace it with the word black and read it back to yourself.

      • Sheena

        Being gay and being Black do not equate. I get tired of gay people using that analogy. Its different. Give it up.

        • Pearls

          Yes a race background with slavery and social injustice and social issues that exist in the black community amongst blacks can not be equated to being gay. Please get out of here with that. I agree with Sheena and Son of God. We get it you are gay. Alot people are not coming out the closet because that many people are suppressed. I believe some people are just attention hungry. IF you are gay ok. Frank Ocean that was clearly a marketing move that backfired trying to say target discriminated cause he was gay. Album release hey look I am gay. Celebs know what they are doing. Gay people are very supportive. Look at Christina aguilera, beyonce and those who the gay community embraces.. Just like nicki minaj she even said she is not bisexual but she rapps about it for attention and wow factor. Sometimes celebs turn to them for promotion. So what ever have a seat with blacks and gay being the same crap. You cannot choose to come out as a black person. LMAO

          • dontdoit

            I’m sorry I cannot respond to your argument appropriately. If you have facts and a logical argument to back of what was typed I can respond appropriately. Thanks.

          • Kayo

            Can you use Nicki Minaj as a credible example really?

          • Kayo

            Can you use Nicki Minaj as a credible example really?

        • dontdoit

          The reason I stated that was not to equate being gay to being black (you can be both, one, or neither) but to show how black folks speak about gays (I have also seen this when referring to Latinos also) in the exact same manner in which whites have and do talk about blacks. The oppressed it seems has become the oppressor.

    • Kayo

      Should all gay people shut up so that you can talk?

    • Kayo

      Should all gay people shut up so that you can talk?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000499942018 Number Onebigdaddy

    in 20 yrs we will be in hell

    • dontdoit

      Maybe you will be in hell but don’t suggest I will be there with you.

  • undergroundhiphopluv

    First off this video was released before Frank Ocean came out. The record came out in Oct. 2011. Murs is one of the greatest unknown artist there is. Everyone should check him and Brother Ali out!

  • wveronica7

    I wonder what the world will look like in 20 years

  • http://twitter.com/NewNaturalSista AFRo•P!CK•CHIc

    I have nothing aganist homosexuality but damn!!! its not ok and yes God does love everyone unconditionally he just hates the sins we do. TV is making everything ok that the bible speak against. From adultry to homosexuality. Why dont they hype up beastiality….ohhh i forgot domestic animals have more respect and rights than humans sheesh and they dont even pay taxes!

    • SMHgurl24

      What rights do animals have other then laws that prevent them from being tortured before slaughter?! Really people have no idea of their own rights! And to each their own just bc your beliefs say its wrong doesnt mean the world has to tip toe around you. Dont like it turn it off

    • Raeia

      People are focusing too much on homosexuality. Lets focus on fixing something more important like education, homelessness, unemployment, teen pregnancy, etc. I don’t care if you’re a homosexual, as long as you’re not killing anyone

      • dontdoit

        It’s a bit difficult to understand your statement because if you felt that there was too much focus on homosexuality wouldn’t you just skip this article all together?

      • Miss D

        The reason people are focusing on homosexuality is because homosexuals are discriminated against and being denied basic rights. If someone was stopping me from living my life happily, ostracizing me in the public and in the media, I’d be upset too.

    • food-for-thought

      Wow, your statement is FULL of contradictions. Judging other people when it SPECIFICALLY says in your bible that it’s not ok to judge. I feel like people took the christian religion and completely distorted it from what God wanted it to be. Christianity is about love and compassion for others and God. But nowadays some Christians seem so judgmental and full of hatred.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JAI4SRENU2A5WKRTELXXYJPDSI Kayla

      your beliefs don’t equate to truth.. That’s the difference

    • dontdoit

      So if you think homosexuality is not okay then you do have something against it. Second, is one sin more terrible than another? If not then why do we not have the same debate and outrageous against fornication? Fornication is a sin by definition, but people do it every night and then get to the next morning and in the first row at church.

    • Kayo

      How can you say that you have nothing against homosexuality and in the same breathe say that it is not okay?

    • Kayo

      How can you say that you have nothing against homosexuality and in the same breathe say that it is not okay?

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