Jay-Z Says He Cried With Joy When His Mom Came Out To Him As Gay
- By
- On Top Magazine Staff
- | April 04, 2018
In a new interview, rapper Jay-Z says he cried when his mother came out to him as a lesbian.
Appearing on the April 6 episode of Netflix's My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, Jay-Z said that while he knew that his mother, Gloria Carter, was gay she only recently came out to him.
“I mean I really cried. That's a true story. Like, I cried because I was so happy for her that she was free,” Jay-Z said.
Jay-Z added that he wrote the song Smile the following day.
On the track, which appears on 4:44, Jay-Z raps: “Mama had four kids, but she's a lesbian; Had to pretend so long that she's a thespian; Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate; Society shame and the pain was too much to take; Cried tears of joy when you fell in love; Don't matter to me if it's a him or her.”
Carter also talks on the track about her struggle and decision to “be free.” “Love who you love,” she says, “because life isn't guaranteed. Smile.”