A Real Lesson For Da Baby
No Me Digas. Op-Ed: Keith Price
Up until about a week ago, I really had no earthly idea who Da Baby was. It turns out that he’s a very popular rapper who recently let loose a post show, homophobic tirade. After a lame apology attempt, he lost a few endorsements, and the LGBTQ community’s response to his tirade is being blamed as the root of it. “Blame the Gays” is the go to button for so many other things like hurricanes, earthquakes, and tidal waves. Why not add career destroyers to the list?
The rapper, TI, in defense of the Da Baby, has come out of his face and accused the gay community of bullying rappers. Gurl, please. Now, before you think that I am that deep in the rap game, I have already confessed that my rap knowledge ends with Heavy D and the Boys. Lil Nas X and his gay shenanigans have brought me into the 21st Century and now have me looking around the rap room. I tried to step out of the closet a few years ago with Azealia Banks, but her weird sense of homophobia sent me away, although I do enjoy that 212 Beat.
I have confessed that I am from the generation, BLNX (Before Lil Nas X). As a gay man, I would never have dared to go near the Hip Hop scene for serious fear of my life in the late 80’s and early 90’s back in Texas. Disco and New Jack Swing made it easy for me to transition into the world of Salt N Pepa, Queen Latifah (allegedly out of the closet now), and Heavy D and The Boys. I knew my lane, though. However, the evolution and soon dominance of Gangsta Rap made it very clear that people like me were not really welcome. Of course, once the “Down Low” became exposed, that seemed the only point of entry into the scene, but I digress.
So as time and relationships between various communities intertwine and interact with each other, it would seem that the comments hurled by Da Baby resonated in the same old “rappers against the world” kind of way. The only difference is that the rest of the world has caught wind of the unnecessary attacks and have finally decided to respond. Rapper T.I. really would like you to believe that this backlash is some sort of bullying brought on almost exclusively by the LGBT community. I am not sure why, because there are so many of rap’s greatest songs specifically for the gays, right? I know you are googling for them, too. Keep searching.
As whiny as he reads, T.I. is right about one thing. To say that stages are “safe spaces” is true. It’s the freest place for a performing artist to be able to open up their talent toolbox and let go. However, can we all be honest that calling out folks with HIV, the activities of men who may or may not be on the DL, or women who may not feel “fresh” (thank you, Madonna for handling this one), is not reaching deep in the well of creative free expression? If it is and that is the best that he has, then it really says more about the LACK of creativity of Da Baby, rather than taking note of his homophobic tendencies nor the power and reach of his platform. As an artist in any medium, would you like to be called “talented” or “uncreative?”** (Feel free to add the shadiest “Ummkay” and/or a finger snap for full effect on that last sentence.)**
For many years it was okay to denigrate people and call it artistic expression. I’ll refer you to any and all Mammy Artwork and Lawn Jockeys from the 40’s and 50’s below the Mason Dixon Line. Rappers have been known to throw a lot of homophobic hits like bullies, for a lot longer than the backlash that folks of which T.I. speaks.
The mistake that most bullies make is they underestimate their prey. As a kid, knocking the wind out of a bully required one to not be afraid to call them out and take them down. Whether you win or lose the fight, once the news made it across the schoolyard that you fought the bully, it says 2 things about you: 1. You must be a badass, or 2. You are crazy AF. Once people know that bravery is what takes down a bully, bullies tend to disappear. In any case, people will admire you and/or fear you, and the bully will think again twice about f**king with you. Some smart, ex-bullies learn their lessons and quickly become friends with their worthy adversary, or eventually come out of some sort of closet. (Again, feel free to add the shadiest “Ummkay” and/or a finger snap/neck roll combo for fuller effect on that last sentence.)
In the adult world, one must call out bullies and terrible wordsmiths and then hit them in the wallet. Folks like Paula Deen and the My Pillow Guy have learned the power of words and how it can affect their personal economies. The latest sting Da Baby is feeling now because of his recent words is being cancelled from one of music’s high profile events, LOLLAPALOOZA. That’s a picture of the live audience that Da Baby did NOT get to entertain. Hard ears make a soft behind.
We know that every generation needs to push the boundaries of what they can do and say. That is how we all move forward as a society. However, this overly sensitive society that we continue to coddle has placed mines all over the playing field about what will trigger a backlash or boycott of your livelihood. There are certain known things that will trigger it with a quickness. Now this is the part that we all get to say “Na Na Na, Boo Boo” to Da Baby. My questions to Da Baby if and when the dust clears would be, “did you not know those triggers already? Have you been living in some sort of bubble, or do you just not care?” If life in the bubble brought this ignorance, then honor that you have learned the lessons the hard way and start rebuilding your career. If you don’t care, then perhaps you might want to start caring, because caring is sharing. I couldn’t resist saying it.
The other lesson that I hope that the Da Baby will take away from his unfortunate misstep: LGBTQ (DL or otherwise), women (with or without a sense of freshness), folks living with HIV, and their allies, work in almost every level and facet of every business in the world, especially entertainment. So, watch your words if you want to keep working or own them and accept the consequences. I feel sorry for him because he’s young, but on a positive note, this means that he has many years to have many experiences that will continue to shape his many thoughts and hopefully fill his creative toolbox with better ad libs. He could think about variations of “get out and vote”, “call your congresspeople”, or “help the Homeless”. You feel me?
Now Get out and vote. Call your congresspeople. Go help the Homeless. Wear a mask. Wash your hands.
Editor’s Note: “Because of the article deadline, the Governor’s Ball, Day N Vegas festival, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival are now the latest to drop Da Baby from its roster.”
