Ja Rule Puts His Foot In His Mouth

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Ja Rule is currently doing press for his forthcoming album, The Mirror, which hits stores in November. The album features guest appearances by The Game and Lil Wayne. The latest single from the project is "Uh Oh" featuring Lil Wayne.

During an interview with Complex, Ja Rule was asked about the upcoming Congressional hearing to discuss the profanity in rap. The rapper countered that the unchecked homosexuality on television was a bigger problem. He said, "Let's talk about all these f**king shows that they have on MTV that is promoting homosexuality, that my kids can't watch this s**t. Dating shows that's showing two guys or two girls in mid-afternoon. Let's talk about s**t like that! If that's not f**king up America, I don't know what is."

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) issued a statement in response to Ja Rule's comments. It read, "No fair-minded person can look at Ja Rule's interview with Complex magazine and believe for one second that his children could be more harmed by what they might see on television than by the vulgarity and prejudice that comes out of their father's mouth. Now that media have seen Ja Rule's intolerance unmasked by his own words, they have a responsibility not to provide in the future a platform for his ugly, vulgar displays of prejudice."

Ja Rule has had his share of issues in the past when it comes to lyrics and profanity. In 2001 and 2002 while performing at Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica, the rapper was warned by authorities about using profanity. He was very apologetic at the time. The rapper said: "I think last year it was even rumored that I was locked up so, I mean, I've heard a lot about it. I didn't know it was such a big of a problem. I think I tried to keep profanity down last year as much as I could. I mean, this is hip-hop and one slips out here and there every now and again, and I'm sorry if I offended anybody, but you know it's not done purposely and I'm sorry."