August 21, 2007
*Both Kanye West and Eve have come out recently to address gay rumors that have followed them throughout their careers.
West, in London for a surprise show Monday night, spoke to British-based publication NME about reaction he received after stating in an interview that hip hop was “too homophobic.”
"Speaking out against hip-hop homophobia, some people were like 'Oh, Kanye must be gay! Look at the way he's dressing! And why would he speak about it? He's a gay rapper'," said the artist, whose new single “Stronger” just became his first No. 1 single in the U.K. "And my whole point is, I wouldn't have spoke on that if I was gay or if I was in the closet. I would have stayed so far away from it.
"And I'm still homophobic myself to certain a extent... You know, I wouldn't go to a gay parade and feel comfortable. I wouldn't ever go to a gay club or something and just be chillin' and grab a drink."
"It's being in the entertainment world, I meet so many different gay people who are actually nice people. Where I came from, Chicago, being black and being a hip-hop artist, we used to really disrespect gay people. And the thing is, we can't get close to them with a 10-foot pole. And I realized, 'Wow, how ignorant has this been?'"
Eve
Meanwhile, writer Clay Cane spoke to rapper Eve about the subject in the new issue of HX, a glossy New York magazine covering gay nightlife. Here are exceprts:
• Do you get approached by a lot by women?
Yeah, I used to more when I first came out. I’ve had people tell me straight up and down that I was gay—I still get it from people. I get more accusations than I actually do get hit on now.
• Did it make you uncomfortable?
Gay women are way more aggressive than men—I will definitely say that. [Laughs] But it doesn’t bother me. I’ve never been disrespected in any way. If I’m like, “Yo, I get it, but I don’t swing that way,” then it’s all love. [No means no, Missy Elliott --Fresh]
• Who is your celebrity girl-crush?
My girl crush is Angelina Jolie. That’s an everybody girl-crush— that’s my dog’s crush! [Laughs] There is one more person: Dita Von Teese. I’m obsessed with her! I want a Dita Von Teese doll and I’ll be happy. She’s just bananas!
• Who’s the most important gay person in your life?
I don’t have any best [gay] friends or a “talk on the phone” kind of thing. It’s more business—friendship business.
Kanye West’s album, “Graduation,” is due Sept. 11, while Eve’s new offering, “Here I Am,” is scheduled to arrive in stores on week later.
