Tuesday, November 5, 2013 4:10am ET by  
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Eminem on lyrics: "I have no issues with gay, straight or transgender people"

Eminem has denied promoting homophobia through his lyrics.

The US star recently came under fire for using the terms "faggot" and "gay-looking" on the track 'Rap God', which features on his new record 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2'.

He was questioned by Rolling Stone about the use of the words, despite previously stating in interviews that he has no problem with gay people.

Eminem said: "I don't know how to say this without saying it how I've said it a million times. But that word, those kind of words, when I came up battle-rappin' or whatever, I never really equated those words..."

The interviewer then said "to actually mean 'homosexual'?", with the rapper continuing:

"Yeah. It was more like calling someone a b*tch or a punk or asshole. So that word was just thrown around so freely back then. It goes back to that battle, back and forth in my head, of wanting to feel free to say what I want to say, and then [worrying about] what may or may not affect people.

"And, not saying it's wrong or it's right, but at this point in my career – man, I say so much sh*t that's tongue-in-cheek. I poke fun at other people, myself. But the real me sitting here right now talking to you has no issues with gay, straight, transgender, at all. I'm glad we live in a time where it's really starting to feel like people can live their lives and express themselves. And I don't know how else to say this, I still look at myself the same way that I did when I was battling and broke."

'The Marshall Mathers LP 2' meanwhile was released in the UK on Monday (November 4) and the US today (November 5).

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to 'Rap God' below: