As you’ve probably heard, Jay-Z’s new album ‘4:44’ is out — and now so is his mother!
On the album’s song “Smile,” Jay-Z duets with his mother Gloria and reveals to the world that she’s a lesbian.
It’s the first time Jay or his mother have addressed her sexual orientation public.
“Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian / Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian,” he raps in the song.
He continues about how not being out was painful enough to drive his mother to meds:
“Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate / Society shame and the pain was too much to take.”
Then he adds,
“Cried tears of joy when you fell in love / Don’t matter to me if it’s a him or her.”
Gloria then joins her son at the end of the song and speaks on not being able to live the life you were meant to.
“Can you imagine what kind of life it is to live?/In the shadows people see you as happy and free/Because that’s what you want them to see/Living two lives, happy, but not free.
The world is changing and they say it’s time to be free / But you live with the fear of just being me… But life is short, and it’s time to be free / Love who you love, because life isn’t guaranteed.”
Beautiful. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the album, click here to stream.
