Homosexuality in hip hop - who is for and against?

What hip hop artists have said in the past about gay rights

Frank Ocean, who released his debut album Channel Orange last month, posted a message on his blog detailing a failed relationship he'd once had with another man. His admission of bisexuality has garnered plaudits in the media and among other artists for its part in furthering the acceptance of homosexuality in hip hop.

Friday 24th August 2012 by Michael Holder | Photos by Twitter

With the news of rapper Bow Wow's upset and anger over a hacker posting pictures on Twitter suggesting that he was gay, homophobia in hip hop is in the headlines once again.

R'n'B star Frank Ocean earlier this year posted a message on his blog explaining feelings he once had for another man and admitted to being bisexual. His message prompted messages of support as well as criticism from within the hip hop community, but it was seen by many as a step in the right direction in the fight against homophobia.

But rappers using homophobic slurs in their lyrics and openly preaching an anti-gay stance has been fairly commonplace for years, with superstars such as Eminem, 50 Cent and Beenie Man prompting criticism for the content in their songs. Here, Gigwise lists various rappers and hip hop personalities to have made either positive or negative comments - and in some cases both - on homosexuality in the past.