This basically sums the article up for those who don’t want to read the whole thing.

. When these rappers say “no homo,” it can seem a bit like a gentleman’s agreement, nodding to the status quo while smuggling in a fuller, less hamstrung notion of masculinity. This is still a concession to homophobia, but one that enables a less rigid definition of the hip-hop self than we’ve seen before. It’s far from a coup, but, in a way, it’s progress.

I think the writer puts an interesting point of view on this touchy subject of this idea of what is or isn’t masculine. AND if you don’t fit under what is considered masculine, then what are you. I do feel that he wrote this in a hetero point of view. So what he’s saying is that by more rappers using the phrase “No Homo”, it allows them to introduce and talk about homosexual matters in a less condescending way. He argues that while it’s not a massive leap, it is a step towards more tolerance. I just don’t feel comfortable with that outlook on the matter. It’s a rosy outlook on a situation that is most likely going to remain the status quo.

“I once asked Method Man whether he thought we’d ever see an openly gay gangsta rapper. He grew visibly agitated. “You can’t be fuckin’ people in the ass and say you’re gangsta,” he responded."
So I guess Method Man doesn’t like boosting females in said fashion?
IMO, this article is pretentious in its style. But call a spade a spade — i don’t understand why it is okay for Ice Cube to use homophobic slurs but not anyone else. This article just window dresses. I notice a lot of homophobia prevalent in the hip hop culture — if you’re going to lump all into one culture. But it’s all hypermasculine posturing. I’m not PC, but at some point a line is crossed. So it’s okay to be a gangsta, with all the glorified violence and narcissistic self-congratulating (I’m so cool, I’m such a stud, I have so much money, I have way too many cars, no one should ever fuck with, etc) but it’s not cool to be gay?