Jay-Z reveals his mother is lesbian in new album '4:44'

In one of the tracks in '4

On the album's third track, 'Smile', Jay says his mother, Gloria Carter, is a lesbian.

"Momma had 4 kids but she's a lesbian/had to pretend so long that she's a thesbian/Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate. 'Society shame and the pain was too much to take/Cried tears of joy when you fell in love/Don't matter to me if it's a him or her," he rapped.

Gloria Carter also features on the track, referencing her sexuality.

She raps: "Living in the shadow/Can you imagine what kind of life it is to live?"

"In the shadows people see you as happy and free/Because that's what you want them to see. The world is changing and they say it's time to be free/But you live with the fear of just being me... Living in the shadow feels like the safe place to be/No harm for them, no harm for me."

 

"But life is short, and it's time to be free/Love who you love, because life isn't guaranteed."

It is the first time that either of them has publicly addressed her sexual orientation.

JAY-Z has been a vocal supporter for LGBT+ rights - coming out in support of gay marriage in 2012.