The response to the observe has been strongly divisive: Though Lamar's being praised for acknowledging trans folks in a optimistic manner, he is being sharply criticized, too. Some listeners took subject with Lamar misgendering his kin -- Lamar makes use of each "he/him" and "she/her" pronouns interchangeably for each relations. Other criticisms level to his use of his cousin's former identify and repeated use of an anti-LGBTQ slur.
"My auntie became a man and I took pride in it," Lamar says on the brand new observe, saying he "grew accustomed" to his uncle's transition as an adolescent.
He later says within the track that his uncle was the "first person (he) seen write a rap," introducing him to the artwork type he would ultimately dominate.
Lamar additionally mentions his "favorite cousin" and their transition and the way he "still loved" them, although the connection between the 2 was strained for a interval as a result of his cousin "wasn't comfortable" round him.
When Lamar addresses his previous use of homophobic language, he makes use of the f-slur repeatedly all through.
"I said them f-bombs, I ain't know any better," he says at one level, later referencing an incident at a live performance when a White fan used a racial slur onstage whereas rapping to certainly one of Lamar's songs.
Variety music critic Jem Aswad praised "Auntie Diaries" as a "powerful, genre-shifting statement on transphobia" and the evolution of Lamar's views.
But the track was not uniformly praised among listeners. Some referred to as it "transphobic" and "selfish" of Lamar to heart himself in a narrative about his trans kin whereas repeatedly utilizing incorrect pronouns and a slur, whereas others defended it as Lamar's reflection on his previous and love for his household. Still others mentioned that, flawed because the track is, it was significant to listen to a rapper of Lamar's caliber -- he is the one rapper who's gained a Pulitzer for his or her work -- to say they help trans folks.
Preston Mitchum, director of advocacy and governmental affairs on the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that works to stop suicide amongst LGBTQ younger folks, mentioned his combined response to the track.
"I'm thankful he spoke in favor of love & acceptance of trans sibs -- even after admitting what society did to them first," he tweeted. "The [slur] threw me off because it isn't his word to use. But that's his point at the end."
The track was launched at a contentious time for trans folks's rights: According to 1 report as of March, states had launched greater than 200 payments geared toward LGBTQ folks, notably trans younger folks.
Reviews for the long-awaited "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" are nonetheless rolling in, however "Auntie Diaries" is already certainly one of its most talked about songs. Lamar simply introduced a world tour to help the album, starting in July.
