Lil B releases new songs almost every week every, and with every one, a new headline is made. Performing live at the Hippie Summit “Coachella” in California this past week, the new Hip Hop sensation made another media frenzy. Publicity stunt or not, the Bay Area Hip Hop artist announced to his fans that they can expect Lil B’s next album to be titled “I’m Gay.”
“I’m gonna do the most controversial thing in hip-hop.” Lil B, also known as the “Based God,” said on stage at Coachella. “Ya’ll heard it first. And I’ma just show you that words don’t mean stuff. I’ma make an album called I’m Gay, right. So many people be worried about what people mean and definitions of words and stuff. Now I like women, I love women, you feel me? But within yourselves, no matter what you do, it doesn’t matter, it’s like live life. You’ve only got one life to live. Be happy.”
“I’m Gay” is expected to be released to hip-hop audiences later this year. Currently selling out venues nationally, Lil B is busy performing live and producing new songs for fans. To date, the rapper has released over 1,000 songs in the last year alone. His hard work however, does not outshine his crafty way of marketing himself.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD, spoke to XXL magazine about Lil B’s “I’m Gay” album briefly: “As a lyricist, Lil B knows that words matter,” a spokesperson for GLAAD said. “Slurs have the power to fuel intolerance. We hope that Lil B’s album title is not just a gimmick, and is really a sincere attempt to be an ally.”
Lil B loves creating controversy. Last year he tweeted Kanye West saying that if he didn’t acknowledge him via Twitter and work with him he’d “fudge him in the ass” when he saw him.
Denouncing any homosexual tendencies publicly, he has caught the attention of blogs and music consumers by saying things such as “I’m a Pretty Bitch,” “I Look Like Jesus,” and even more ludicrous lines. The “I’m Gay” album will be the first time however the artist labels himself permanently with such a gimmick. At this point I think people are used to getting shocked by rappers and pop acts. Artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Lil B use the 50 Cent approach to market themselves, finding great gimmicks which eventually workout in the long term.
The latest Lil B album, Angels Exodus, dropped in January. It was released via Amalgam Digital, where he previously inked a multiple album deal in December 2010.
