Axl Rose racist?

Question

You know in the song "One in a million" by guns n roses?
Well Axl sings "n*ggers stay outta my way"

Does that make him a racist?

I probably sound stupid for asking this but w/e.

And Slash is half black so did he not get offended by that?

I like some g n r songs but thinking that axl is racist just really puts me off the music.

Answer 1

The song 'One In A Million' was making references to particular circumstances Axl had found himself in.

"The lyrics describe GN'R singer Axl Rose's experience of getting hustled in the Greyhound bus station upon first arriving in Los Angeles."


If you look at the front cover of the 'GN'R Lies' album, there is a printed statement from Axl, where he apologises for any offence caused.

"This song is very simple and extremely generic or generalized, my apologies to those who may take offense."


Have a look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_in_a_Million_%28Guns_N%27_Roses_song%29


Personally, I love the tune and chorus to this song, and if you remove the offensive bits, I think it would actually be quite beautiful.

Answer 2

I don't think Axl is racist. He's said many, many times that he has inspirations of all races, black included.

Besides, like Chris Rock said, theres a difference between black people and n*ggers.

Answer 3

I just looked at the lyrics and that song is all over the map. He seems to be putting down everyone including himself. I think it's significant that near the end of one verse he says, "But it's been such a long time Since I knew right from wrong". It seems like it's all a meandering, aimless, world-weary rant and he knows it.

Answer 4

wellllllllllllll....it's kinda of hard to say. So many caucasions use racists phrases all the time and they don't think that they are racists. They say things like" I have black friends" or" I like black people" to re-ensure themselves that their not racists. It's actually funny. Growing up in a country that was built on racism and prejudice, it is very difficult for ALL AMERICANS to erase those negative things out of our minds. It's unconscious...to some degree.

Answer 5

yes. he shouldn't be using a racist word if he doesn't want others to think he's racists. alot of people are going to come on here and say 'it's just a song' but if he said Jews stay outta my way or S p i c s stay outta my way it would be a different story, right? it saddens me honestly, why can't musicians just make music instead of spewing that type of crap? n*ggers or any other racial term has nothing to do with rock or rap music.

Answer 6

Axl tries to make everyone mad. That's his way.

I think he hates everyone equally. Not prejudiced at all.

Answer 7

I don't think he's racist he's just a hard guy.