Jay-Z’s Mother: I Wasn’t Free Until I Told My Son I Was Gay

Gloria Carter, mother of rapper Jay-Z, says she “was not free” until she told her son that she was gay.

She made this disclosure while receiving a special recognition prize at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) award ceremony.

Advertisement

Prior to this, Jay-Z, while speaking in an interview with David Letterman, said he was happy his mom was free after she appeared to him as gay.

“For her to sit in front of me and tell me ‘I think I love someone’ – I mean, I really cried.

“That’s a real story, I cried because I was so happy for her that she was free,” Jay-Z said.

Recall that in 2017, the hip hop mogul’s mother came out of the closet and the development inspired him to write ‘Smile’, a track on his ‘4:44’ album.

Advertisement

On the song ‘Smile’, Gloria Carter delivered a moving speech about what it was like for her to live a lie.

Carter, who was recognised on Sunday for the song, said: “I accept it with joy and pride on behalf of my son and myself. Thanks to my family for loving me unconditionally, no matter what. Thanks to my partner for loving me and helping me free myself from being in the shadows.

“Smile became a reality because I shared with my son who I am, not that people didn’t know.

“My son cried and said, ‘It must have been horrible to live that way for so long’. I chose to protect my family from ignorance. I was happy, but I was not free.

“Then one day, I met someone that made my heart sink.

Advertisement

“Love gave me the courage to take the power I had allowed other people to have over my life for fear of them revealing my secret that wasn’t really a secret.”

YouTube video

Shawn Corey Carter known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper and businessman. He is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, having sold more than 50 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide, while receiving 21 Gammy awards for his music. MTV ranked him the “Greatest MC of all time” in 2006.

Leave a comment

Advertisement