Photo:
A new song released by Drake and J Cole has caused an uproar due to an insensitive reference to Autism.
About 3 minutes 15 seconds into his song 'Jodeci Freestyle', Canadian rapper Drake claims 'I'm artistic. You n*****s is autistic, retarded.' This has caused an incredibly negative response due to the derogatory reference to the disability.
The lyric has been criticised by members of the autistic community, and on 13 July a petition was started by Anna Kennedy and the Anti-Bullying Alliance, which aims to have the lyrics removed from the song. Kennedy is the mother of two autistic children, and was awarded an OBE this year for her work with autistic children in the UK.
Listen to Drake ft. J. Cole - Jodeci Freestyle below:
Kennedy stated: 'It is time we recognised people with autism for the exceptional human beings they are, and make more of a stand'. The petition has received over 2,400 signatures and can be viewed here.
Drake has yet to issue a statement, or apology, and it is uncertain what he will do regarding the lyric. As insensitive as the lyric is it is difficult to get behind censorship, and it is presently unclear whether the petition seeks to censor the lyric on the airwaves or censor it completely. The most incredible part of the story is the fact that the people who were offended listened to over three minutes of Drake's music.
Drake gets in line behind Kanye West who offended the Parkinson's community last month with his lyric 'We get this bitch shakin' like Parkinson's'.
Below - Photos: Drake live in Liverpool
