Kendrick Lamar releases track about accepting his trans relatives
Fans praised the rapper for dropping the "powerful" song as state legislatures nationwide consider a record number of bills targeting transgender people.
The rapper, Kendrick Lamar, released what some fans call a “barrier-breaking song” about accepting his transgender family.
Lamar released his highly anticipated album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” In the initial lyrics of one song, “Auntie Diaries,” Lamar raps, “My auntie is a man now / I suppose I’m old enough to comprehend now,” relating the narrative of his “auntie,” who is a trans man, and his path to embracing him.
He also raps about a trans woman’s cousin, the homophobia and transphobia his relatives endured, and his development.
Lamar raps, “We ain’t know no better / Elementary kids with no filter, however,” referring to a homophobic slur, and then tells how he grew proud of his relative: “My auntie became a man, and I took pride in it.” However, he relates how his buddies “stare” when his relative picks him up from school.
“They couldn’t comprehend what I grew accustomed to,” he raps.
He raps about how a preacher opposed his cousin’s transition and how he countered their ideas. “‘Mr. Preacher man, should we love our neighbor? / The rules of the country of the heart, which is greater?”
Later on, he raps about how standing up for his cousin brought his family closer. “The day I chose humanity before religion, the family grew closer, and everything was forgiven.”
Some fans on Twitter have praised the song and its message, with one person describing it as “a truly barrier-breaking son in hip-hop.”
Auntie Diaries is a truly barrier-breaking song in hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar is talking openly about his aunt and cousin transitioning and how he “choose humanity over religion.” He is an ally to the #LGBTQ community it’s sad how people make judgements before listening to the song
— Ailyn ☘️ (@AilynVibes) May 13, 2022
Another fan called Lamar’s tune “powerful” since it came when dozens of states around the country were considering more than 200 anti-LGBTQ measures, the majority of which targeted transgender youngsters.
Kendrick Lamar dropped Auntie Diaries, a song about trans acceptance & intersectionality, while conservatives across the country are pushing a full on assault on all LGBTQIA+ people & their allies
He didn’t have to do this – he’ll probably get shit for it – but he did
Powerful.
— conure 🐦🖤 (@conureCC) May 13, 2022