Tank Shuts Down Homophobic Haters, Responds To Performing At Gay Pride Events – BET
Veteran R&B singer Tank is reflecting on his career and responding to an event that he performed at a few years ago that didn’t sit well with some of his fans.
Recently appearing on the Drink Champs podcast host by DJ Nore and DJ Efn, the 46-year-old born Durrell Artaze Babbs was asked why he believes he received critiques from fans after performing at a Blag gay pride event in D.C. in 2017.
“Ima speak in terms of the Black community. There is a stigma. There’s a hate that goes along with being gay. Oftentimes in our language… too even degrade a person, to the lowest we can degrade ‘em, we use gay as the adjective, and so, that carries on even into entertainment,” the Grammy nominated artist shared.
He further explained that at the beginning of his performance the audience was a bit hesitant on his arrival since he was the only heterosexual performer for the evening but as soon as he told the crowd “turn up” they welcomed him with open arms.
“It was at that moment that they understood, like, I have no judgment for you and your lifestyle. I only have love for you as a human being,” he adds. “You also are the reason why I’m able to feed my family. So I love you for that and I’m gon’ entertain, the same way I would entertain on any stage whether it’s a bunch of girls in the front row or a bunch of guys in the front row.”
Tank continued saying that he is “secure” in who he is and performing or attending certain events doesn’t change that.
“I don’t feel like I’m gonna walk into a gay room and all of a sudden become gay,” he said. “When the backlash comes and people are saying oh “he must be gay,” I can laugh at that cause that’s not the worst thing you can call me cause I don’t see it as that.”
Listen to his Drink Champs interview below: