Photo: Lil B (adventoutpost.com)
Rapper Lil B, who claims his own supporters turned on him earlier this year when he announced at Coachella that his latest album would be called I'm Gay, is causing quite a stir on the internets today. His forthcoming mixtape, Basedgod Velli, features a track called "I Got AIDS (AIDS Awareness Song)." Lil B, who also isn't gay, hasn't actually tested positive for AIDS. So why that song title?
The track starts with Lil B making a phone call, presumably to a female companion, to share with her the news that has left him in disbelief. "I got AIDS. God damn, I can't believe this s***... No protection. I should of used a condom instead of trusting these women. I never got tested, I felt fine. Never got sick. Plus, I look good," he raps.
However, Lil B's intention wasn't to share a personal story. Instead, as posted alongside the song, he wanted to inform us about the dangers of having unprotected sex while encouraging us to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases and infections. He writes:
PLEASE EVERYONE I MADE THIS TO INFORM EVERYONE THAT I LOVE AND RESPECT AND EVERYONE THAT LISTENS TO MY MUSIC AND LOVES BASED TO PLEASE GET TESTED AND PROTECT YOURSELF AND PARTNERS AND BE SAFE,
I WANT YOU TO NO IF YOU HAVE SEX YOU ARE AT RISK
PLEASE USE CONDOMS AND HAVE SAFE SEX,
PLEASE I LOVE YOU,
IF YOU CARE ABOUT ME UPLOAD A VIDEO OF YOU GOING TO GET TESTED AND SEND TO ME I WILL ALSO UPLOAD A VIDEO OF ME GETTING TESTED,
I LOVE YOU AND IF YOU ARE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE NO YOU HAVE SUPPORT - Lil B
And while his intention may be clear, some of the facts he spits may not be. So, to be clear, we've fact-checked some of his verses:
"I Got AIDS" Fact Check:
+ "Now I'm f***ed, because I had unprotected sex... When she gave me AIDS, my life ended early, if I don't got no cash to pay."
This is actually false. Unprotected sex can lead to the transmission of HIV (not AIDS) and other STDs. There is no vaccine to prevent HIV and no cure for those who are already infected. However, there are medications available that have helped many people with HIV to live long and healthy lives. If you test positive for HIV, the clinician or health care provider will be able to direct you to the best possible care and give you information about programs that exist to help cover the cost of treatment. That’s why knowing your status and getting tested is so important. The sooner you get into treatment, the better for you and your health. The only way to know is to GYT.
+ "It makes me want to cry. I can't go back in time. I would have used a condom."
This is mostly true. Condoms, are the only method of protection that protect against STDs including HIV. The most important thing when using a condom is to make sure you use them consistently and correctly. The most common mistake is not using condoms from start (of sexual contact) to finish (after ejaculation). The condom should be put on before any genital contact. When choosing a brand it’s important to look for condoms that are made of latex or polyurethane (plastic). Both of these are effective in preventing STDs including HIV and pregnancy. Avoid using animal skin (or “natural”) condoms, which prevent pregnancy but are not as effective in preventing all STDs, including HIV.
+ "This is not a game. A lot of people have STDs right now and don't even know it. You look perfectly fine, and you feel fine. It takes a few months for something to form in your body."
This is mostly true. STDs are REALLY common. 1 in 2 sexually active young people will get an STD by the age of 25 and most won’t know it. It only takes one time (of unprotected sex with someone who is infected) to get an STD. STDs often show NO symptoms, you can’t tell by looking, and the only way to know is to get yourself tested.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 5 people in the United States living with HIV is unaware that they are infected. Some STDs take longer than others to appear in your body. HIV can take as long as six months from the time of infection to appear on a test. The time period between HIV exposure and a positive test is called the “window period,” during which you could test negative for HIV but still be infected with HIV and able to transmit the virus to others.
Bottom line: use a condom every time you have sex, and make sure to get tested routinely. All STDs are treatable, and most are curable. Getting tested helps link you to life saving treatment.
What do you think of the song? Let us know in the comments, and check out what MTV Buzzworthy had to say.
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