Murs Kicks Homophobia In The Butt 'Animal Style' With His Latest Video

Take that homophobia! Rapper Murs breaks barriers in his latest video 'Animal Style', going as far as playing the role of a gay boy, kissing a man on camera, and sporting a "Legalize Gay" T-shirt (calling for the repeal of California's ban on same-sex marriage Prop 8).
This shouldn't be a big deal, but let's face it, it still is.
Murs says: "Animal Style is a song I did for many reasons. The first was to be an advocate for people close to me who are out, and those who have yet to come out. It's also a love song, which is nothing new for me. But with this one I wanted to challenge the listener to ask themselves: Is the love shared by two people of the same gender, really that different than the love I have for my partner of the opposite sex? And finally, I just felt it was crucial for some of us in the hip hop community to speak up on the issues of teen suicide, bullying, and the overall anti-homosexual sentiment that exist within hip hop culture. I felt so strongly about these issues and this song that I had to do a video that would command some attention, even if it makes some viewers uncomfortable. Even if it came at the cost of my own comfort."
With this video + Odd Future's Frank Ocean's coming out + various rappers agreeing with US President Barack Obama's support of gay marriage (Jay-Z, Will Smith), or speaking out against homophobia (50 Cent), it seems to be the firm beginning of a new day for hip-hop when it comes to these topics. What's your take on this? Share your thoughts with us.
- Lou C-D

'Animal Style' from Murs' album 'Love And Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation', produced by Embassy.

Tags: Anymal, Gay, Hip-hop, Kiss, LGBT, Murs, Music, Official, Style, Video, More…homophobia

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Comment by Mark Clemons on August 11, 2012 at 3:07pm: Check out the documentary "PICK UP THE MIC"

Comment by Mark Clemons on August 10, 2012 at 1:55pm: Brave Soul

Comment by weallfail on August 9, 2012 at 2:16pm: I agree that it would be great if the couple survived. Given the tone of the song, it was the expected ending. The song, I believe, was aimed more for the people on the fence or people who don't normally think about this. The ending puts the exclamation Hopefully, the song will cause some inner-strife and cause them to re-evaluate their values.

To the comments below:
The theme will change when the homophobic rulers in the church realize that their is no basis in their scripture for anti-gay sentiments and even if there were that this crap is outdated and should not be followed. When parents stop teaching this to their kids. And when politician realize their idiocy for allowing their religion or bigoted ideals to trump what is best for the people not their own irrelevant ideals.

Comment by bela-rs on August 6, 2012 at 5:40pm: The very first was Juba Kalamka and his guys around bay area with open minded lyrical scriptures to be aware of own open_ness and dramas around family normal structures.

But my huge respect for this work.

Comment by HeartOfAMetalhead on July 23, 2012 at 12:26am: I feel that this song and videos portrays true stories of gay teens all around the world. Maybe the end was a bit much where he killed his boyfriend and himself but we all know that suicide has been running rampant in the LGBT community a lot recently. I think it speaks about how hopeless LGBT kids feel when they don't know where to turn especially when religion condemns you. I know this story, I went through it. Being secretive and closeted not wanting to let anyone know I was queer. The pressure does get to you. Fortunately, I didn't succumb to all the things I would have done if I didn't have a support system of friends and a few family members. So, this story is real in most aspects. It does happen, and I'm glad he shed some light on it. Now what he should do next is write a song telling the story of a gay kid on the complete opposite end who has support :) That would definitely give hope I think.

Comment by Nora Woods on July 21, 2012 at 7:15pm: Hmmmm. My opinion on this subject can go two ways. you can hate what I have to say or just agree or simply care less. So I will keep it as politically correct as possible. The world is ever changing but one thing for sure there is always someone who will disagree with your lifestyle and or question it no matter what your never going to get every one to agree with anything what ever the topic is. There are those who fight for

animal rights and there are tons of people who will agree but there is always some group of people who don't

give a damn. For me I only care about what the man above thinks of me.

Comment by Compound Egret on July 21, 2012 at 6:23pm: Pretty powerful video and great writing (as usual) by Murs. Pretty bold to act in the vid as well. I can hear my relative "conspiracy brotha" now. "They got MURS, dog! 'They' made him do it for the cash!"

Comment by blanka on July 20, 2012 at 11:47pm: It's good to see Murs do this.

But yeah have to agree with the comment below - the fact that they die kind of undermines it. Well said, imani henry!

Comment by Imani Henry on July 20, 2012 at 1:52pm: This is NOT a gay affirming video. Sorry. It is a FIRST in Hip Hop. I'm glad that Murs did it! This video is a breakthrough for a straight artist and for straight people. But this not a LGBTQ affirming video & I'm not sure if I would say it "kicks homophobia in the ass." Because it is based on a HOMOPHOBIC theme: "That if you are GAY, You MUST DIE." Most movies or tv shows historically have had this theme up until the last 20 years or so. It is nothing new that the 2 gay characters die in the end. This way all the homophobes who had to watch the video then get to breath a sigh a relief ... "Good, they're dead." Ssee that's what your gay ass gets." "If they just weren't gay they would of live." It is the gayness that drove him to kill himself and his lover, not society.”

What is and would been NEW or revolutionary or a breakthrough- would of been if they had actually LIVE! Because guess what …..we DO LIVE. Imagine that? LGBTQ people especially of color actually do survive. We grow-up to be adults. We have community, families, friends. We are productive members of society. We have people who DO accept and love of us. Some of these accepting people are even straight. We are leaders, teachers, neighbors. Your doctor. Your pastor. And even Your child. It's 2012 --- when will this theme change?