Ice Cube took umbrage to Bill Maher’s use of the N-word on “Real Time with Bill Maher” last week, adding that “you gotta know when to shut up.”
The “Check Yourself” rapper is slated to appear on the show Friday, as the New York Daily News reported, and instead of pulling out he has decided to guest on Maher’s show and discuss the use of the racial slur.
“He knows that’s a bad word to a lot of people. Now, the question is: Why did he think he could be that comfortable with saying that? What makes you think you can say that? Why did you think you could get away with that?”
The famously politically incorrect Maher, 61, invoked the explosive term during an interview with Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, who had just invited him to visit the state and work in the fields. The host retorted: “Senator, I’m a house n—a.”
The 47-year-old rap star, who came to fame as part of the the seminal rap group N.W.A, has been known to use the N-word in his rhymes. But he felt that Maher’s usage showed an inaccurate understanding of the history of slavery in America.
“He wants to talk about ‘house n—-s,’ like they had it so much better?” Ice Cube said in the interview. “It’s like, please. It wasn’t a cakewalk for a so-called ‘house n—a,’ either, unless you like being raped. Sometimes, you gotta know when to shut up. Check yourself before you wreck yourself.”
Sen. Al Franken, who was also scheduled to appear on the show, has canceled, calling Maher’s words “inappropriate and inoffensive.”
For the record, Maher has issued apologies but the conversation surrounding his use of language continues.
