Lakeyah recently responded to online backlash she faced after people pointed out that, as a lesbian, she raps about male lovers on her tracks. Despite some criticism, the Milwaukee rhymer maintained that she does so to relate to a wider listener base. "I can't wait until you start rapping about being with women," one user expressed on Twitter. "What's the difference when a gay male artist talks about having a p***y and doesn't have one?" the No Pressure Part 2 MC tweeted in response. In fact, this is far from the first time she's addressed the issue.
"Don't worry about the pronouns I use in my music," Lakeyah previously expressed on Twitter. "I be tryna relate to the broader audience. If you gay rap it in gay. Hell idk leave me alone." In another tweet, the "Real B***h" artist expanded on her sexuality and creative process. "Nobody MAKES me rap the way I do love," she wrote. "I've been a lesbian since I was young & I also have been studying and making music since I was 14-15. Rapping the SAME way I do. With male pronouns for as long as I can remember. My sexuality is def a 'if Yk Yk.'"
Lakeyah Addresses Backlash To Her Lyricism
However, such conversations haven't really dampened her career or visibility at all, so she'll likely continue to brush off the haters. One of her most recent musical appearances was her contributions to DDG's deluxe version of his album It's Not Me It's You. Alongside Coi Leray on the track "Rich B***h," Lakeyah came through with her consistently boisterous and confident energy. Once you back up your choices with bars, rap fans find it a whole lot easier to understand.
Still, this does open up an interesting conversation on representation, relatability, and how much artists should cater to their listeners. Regardless, from the 22-year-old's expressions, it's clear she will do whatever makes her most comfortable and fitting as a lyricist. If, for her, that means including the widest net of people possible, than who is anyone to ask her to do any different? After all, it's not like her music is overtly exclusionary to begin with. Let us know what you think of this debate in the comments and return to HNHH for more on Lakeyah.