Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds fires back at Eminem for using ‘homophobic’ language on ‘Kamikaze’

"LGBTQ kids are TAKING THEIR LIVES after being bullied with homophobic slurs"

Imagine Dragons‘ Dan Reynolds has joined the chorus of artists taking a stand against Eminem for his use of homophobic language on his new album’Kamikaze‘.

Eminem surprised the world with the unannounced release of ‘Kamikaze‘, loaded with controversial moments and taking aim at many others with a number of ‘diss tracks‘.

Among them was Tyler, The Creator – who comes under attack by being called a “fa**ot” on the track ‘Fall’, having previously slammed Eminem for releasing the ‘Shady XV’ compilation album in 2014.

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Now Reynolds, himself a vocal gay rights activist, has hit out at Reynolds for using homophobic language.

“It’s never ok to say a word that is filled with hate,” wrote Reynolds. “I don’t care what year you were born in or what meaning it has to you. if it contributes to hate and bigotry then it is hateful. period. there is never an ok time to say the word fa**ot I don’t care who you are.”

After receiving backlash from Eminem fans over his comments, Reynolds then responded: “it’s disgusting to be told this is being ‘overly sensitive’ or ‘millennial’. LGBTQ kids are TAKING THEIR LIVES after being bullied with homophobic slurs. it’s not ‘sensitive’ to take a stand against a word that has been used to spread hate for years.

“I’ve lived enough of my life remaining silent on these issues because of fear or lack of education. I don’t live in fear anymore. I still have lots to learn. but no. I will not be a silent voice with this platform I have been given.”

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‘Fall’, on which Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon also appears, was heavily criticised on social media because of the homophobic criticism he levelled at Tyler the Creator. Eminem raps: “Tyler create nothin’, I see why you called yourself a f*****, bitch.”

Vernon responded to the track on Twitter saying he was “Not a fan of the message, it’s tired. Asked them to change the track, wouldn’t do it.”

In a series of further tweets, Vernon said he thought Eminem is “one of the best rappers of all time” before adding: “This is not the time to criticize Youth, it’s the time to listen. To act. It is certainly not the time for slurs.”

Vernon also revealed that he asked for the song to be changed. “Wish they would have listened when we asked them to change it.” In a final tweet, Vernon said: “I was wrong and we are gonna kill this track.”

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