Although hip-hop
superstar Kanye West may shy away from the gangsta
persona embraced by his peers, it doesn't mean he is afraid
to stand up for himself. During a recent interview in
New York City with Hot 97 radio DJ Angie Martinez,
West responded to implications made by fellow rapper
Beanie Sigel that West is gay, reports the Black
Entertainment Television cable network.
In an interview
conducted earlier this year for the upcoming DVD
Beef IV, Sigel criticized West's fashion sense
and advised the rapper to "come out of the closet."
West, in turn, denied that he is gay, adding, "It's so
disrespectful." He then expressed his distaste for the
homophobia that is prevalent in hip-hop culture.
Upset that
Sigel--who is on the same record label as West,
Roc-a-Fella--would go to the press rather than
confront him privately, West concluded the interview
with an appeal to Sigel, asking, "Why wouldn't you
come to me and talk to me about it?" (The Advocate)
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