A lyric from Wiz Khalifa’s latest album Rolling Papers 2, is stirring controversy among Asian American fans.
Disapproval seems most vocal among those of Korean descent, in response to this lyric: Smoke got my eyes lookin’ Korean.
The supposedly racist line is meant to describe a smoker’s classic squint, and appears in Khalifa’s new track, Hot Now.
AllKPop reported a slew of anti-Khalifa comments on Korean websites, such as: “They say don’t be racist to Black people but they’re racist themselves”; “Wow I’m no longer listening to his music”; “You think you’re cool being racist?”; and simply “Racist.”
Yet, Khalifa insists his lyric isn’t racist. In a radio interview with “The Breakfast Club”, the rapper said critics needed to “chill out” and that he wouldn’t apologize to the Korean community.
“I have Korean friends that are not offended … I love Koreans,” Khalifa said.
According to the Huffington Post, when TMZ asked the rapper Tyga, who’s not of Korean but Vietnamese descent, what he thought of Wiz’s line. Tyga responded: “What’s wrong with that?”
Other rappers and fans also tweeted in support of Khalifa, comparing his music to comedy in its inherently offensive nature.
Just heard about @wizkhalifa new song why all these Koreans hating jeez it wasn’t even that bad. Rappers should never apologize for what they sing, just like how comedians should not apologize about what they say either! God people learn to laugh at your stereotypes and yourself
— Deli (@SuperDeliBros) July 21, 2018
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