Having dropped his surprise album Kamikaze last week, rapper Eminem has come under fire for the homophobic lyrics found on several songs.
At one point in the album, which was unexpectedly released on Friday, Eminem takes aim at Tyler, The Creator – calling him a “fa**ot” on the diss-track ‘Fall’.
The song, which features Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, includes the line: “Tyler create nothin’, I see why you called yourself a f*****, bitch.
Vernon addressed the controversial lyrics on Twitter, writing: “Not a fan of the message, it’s tired. Asked them to change the track, wouldn’t do it.
He continued: "This is not the time to criticize Youth, it’s the time to listen. To act. It is certainly not the time for slurs."
Imagine Dragons lead singer and vocal LGBTIQ+ advocate Dan Reynolds also voiced his concerns on social media.
“It’s never ok to say a word that is filled with hate,” Reynolds tweeted.
“I don’t care what year you were born in or what meaning it has to you. If it contributes to hate and bigotry then it is hateful. Period. There is never an ok time to say the word fa**ot I don’t care who you are.”
Reynolds continued, responding to those who claimed he was being "overly sensitive".
"LGBTQ kids are TAKING THEIR LIVES after being bullied with homophobic slurs. it’s not ‘sensitive’ to take a stand against a word that has been used to spread hate for years," he wrote.
“I’ve lived enough of my life remaining silent on these issues because of fear or lack of education. I don’t live in fear anymore. I still have lots to learn. But no. I will not be a silent voice with this platform I have been given.”
Eminem is yet to respond to the criticism, but could soon be forced to.
In one final tweet to fans, Vernon said he was "going to kill" the song, a message some have interpreted as suggesting future legal proceedings.
