
Update: Well, that didn't take too long. After pissing off former and current military personnel with some lyrics in his track "Let's Be Real," rap goofball Soulja Boy has issued a lengthy apology. He admits that his words didn't only come out wrong, but that he was also wrong to even speak them. Wow.
Read the apology and original post below. He issued the apology through a statement via hip-hop site Global Grind.
As an artist, I let my words get the best of me. Sometimes there are things that we feel, things that we want to express, and when we put them on paper and speak them out loud, they can come out wrong. When I expressed my frustration with the US Army, not only did my words come out wrong, I was wrong to even speak them. So, I write this to give my sincerest apology to all members of the United States military services, as well as their families that were offended by my most recent lyrics.
As a young man who grew up in the post-9/11 era, I have watched our country fight two wars that seem like they are never going to end. I have seen thousands and thousands of our brave men and women get killed in battle and often times, I think for what? A lot of people in this country are struggling to make ends meet and I think a lot about what if we had never gone to war. Where would our economy be? Our schools, our after-school and work programs, our streets? I mean, damn, 48 people got shot in New York City just this past weekend ... in 3 days ... I'm not saying that it is just because of a bad economy, but at a certain point we have to take care of our own people.
In no way would I ever want to offend those who are protecting our freedoms ... a lot of homeboys who I grew up with, a lot of people who come from the neighborhoods we live in ... In no way do I want to hurt any of our honorable soldiers who put their lives at risk, regardless of how they feel about the two wars we fight in. I am just frustrated that we haven't been able to bring you all home quick enough and my frustration got the best of me. I am deeply sorry.
After pissing off Tupac fans with the news he's reprising the late rapper's role in a Juice remake, Soulja Boy has caused a tiff with another sect, military veterans. According to TMZ, someone must have heard his track "Let's Be Real" and took exception to the lines, "Fuck the FBI and the army troops, fighting for what? Be your own man, I’ll be flying through the clouds with green like I’m Peter Pan." That person then informed Fred A. Flores, commissioner of the L.A. County Veteran’s Advisory Commission. He released the following statement on the lyrics:
It’s a very offensive statement … especially with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 coming up. He should apologize to ALL armed forces. [The rap] is very irresponsible especially for a person who is an entertainer for the youth of our country.
Whether or not you agree with Flores or Soulja Boy, haven't we heard far worse criticisms of the U.S. and its military from guys like Immortal Technique? I guess they don't count considering they don't have the reach of Soulja Boy.
You can watch the video for "Let's Be Real" below.