Rapper J Cole apologises for autism lyric on Drake's 'Jodeci Freestyle'

 

Daisy Wyatt
Monday 22 July 2013 12:05 BST
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US rapper J Cole has apologised for a lyric in which he calls autistic people retarded
US rapper J Cole has apologised for a lyric in which he calls autistic people retarded

US rapper J Cole has apologised for an offensive lyric about autism in a verse he contributed to Drake’s "Jodeci Freestyle".

Cole apologised for the lyric ("Go check the numbers dummy, that’s just me gettin’ started/ I’m artistic, you n***** is autistic, retarded") in a blog post on Sunday.

He wrote: “To the parents who are fighting through the frustrations that must come with raising a child with severe autism, finding strength and patience that they never knew they had; to the college student with Asperger’s syndrome; to all those overcoming autism. You deserve medals, not disrespect. I hope you accept my sincere apology.”

Cole added he didn’t agree with the recent pressure put on artists to apologise for lyrics perceived to be offensive, but said in this case he felt the verse went too far.

He said: “I was instantly embarrassed that I would be ignorant enough to say something so hurtful. What makes the crime worse is that I should have known better. To everyone suffering from autism, either mildly or severely, I am sorry.”

Last month Kanye West was criticised by Parkinson's UK charity for an "inexcusably stupid" shaking lyric on a track from his new album Yeezus, in which he sings: “A monster about to come alive again/ So as I pull up and park the Benz/ We get this bitch shaking like Parkinson’s.”

Robin Thicke’s number one single 'Blurred Lines' also came under fire from a rape charity last month for trivialising sexual violence and objectifying women. The singer said he refused to respond to the “ridiculous” criticism and would not dignify the allegations with a response.

Cole added: "Recently there's been a trend that includes rappers saying something offensive, only to be attacked for it in the media and pressured to apologise. I have to be completely honest and say there's a part of me that resents that.

"I do not believe that an apology is needed every time someone is offended, especially when that apology is really only for the sake of saving an endorsement or cleaning up bad press. With that said, this is not the case today. This letter is sincere. This apology IS necessary."

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