Rapper T.I. may have built a career on blazing the charts with hot albums and singles alike, but his recent comments on gays being overly sensitive to jokes (featured in the December 2011 VIBE issue of which he covers) set a firestorm in the media. Definitely no stranger to beefs, the ‘Top Back’ rapper has landed himself back atop of a few disapproving lists (gay rights supporters being the main).
The Grammy-winning Georgian took to VIBE to discuss a number of topics from jail life, his book and forthcoming reality show, return to music, and more. But, all of the aforementioned were overshadowed by a comment the emcee made about a very ill-received, anti-gay Tracy Morgan joke that landed the comedian in his own splash of hot water.
Recently caught up with by our friends over at TMZ, hear T.I. clarify his statements after the jump:
Kudos to the emcee for at least sticking by his guns. So often do stars resort to the “I was misquoted” defense to rid themselves of any negative publicity directed from their own comments. Interestingly, in this case, many agreed with Mr. Harris’ assessment. But, on the flip side, many can argue that every oppressed or oft-misunderstood group (race, gender, religion, sexual orientation alike) has the right to at least vocalize disapproval of any remarks. Such is the bi-fold of his very argument – freedom of speech.
For speakers like T.I. and Tracy Morgan can argue their jokes were not insensitive, but it leaves us to wonder how sensitive they were to Kramer’s racial outburst (in the name of comedy) just a few years prior? Or how sensitive would Harris himself be to ‘soap-dropping’ jokes?