Coolio blurts out racist slur
Rapper gets away with saying n****r on show
CELEBRITY Big Brother was embroiled in yet another race row last night after gangster rapper Coolio used the racist term n****r - but was NOT disciplined by Channel 4 bosses.
The 45-year-old, well known for his hate-filled song lyrics, had been warned by show chiefs not to use inappropriate language before entering the TV house on Friday night.
But he still used the highly offensive N-word at 9.20am yesterday morning during a conversation with ex-pop star Ben Adams.
Despite insisting they'd be tough on contestants after the last CBB race debacle involving Jade Goody, show makers Endemol took no action against Coolio.
However, aware of the likely public outcry over the use of the word, they chose not to broadcast the offending conversation.
Last night a TV insider said: "It's as if Channel 4 and Endemol have learnt no lessons from all the previous incidents of racism and appalling behaviour on Big Brother.
"If he's allowed to use that word without any sort of reprimand, what's next? It's absolutely disgusting. What if another housemate uses this kind of language."
A Channel 4 source said that as no housemates had been offended by the use of the word and given that Coolio was an African American no action was taken.
Vivid
After enquiries from the News of the World a spokeswoman last night confirmed Coolio had said the offending word and it had not been broadcast.
She said: "At around 9.20am today, Coolio recounted a vivid dream he experienced overnight in which he had been involved in a fight.
"Coolio used the N-word in his descriptive retelling to Ben. Coolio described how his imaginary adversary called Coolio 'Oh n****r'.
"This was again immediately flagged to senior production staff at Endemol and C4.
"After reviewing the footage, where Ben clearly took no offensive from the use of the word, no other housemates heard the word, the footage was not broadcast to cause offence to viewers and the context that Coolio used the word, no further action was taken.
"As always constant monitoring of any unacceptable language by any housemate is on going and Big Brother is always prepared to remind all housemates of these rules."
Big Brother chiefs were well aware that Coolio has a habit of offensive lyrics, having used the N-word in a number of his songs.
In one track, That's Hot It Is, he raps: "I'm fed up with this s***. N****R set trippin', I ain't even banging."
Action
In another, Geto Highlites, he says: "To the n****r who smokin' indo chocolate tired of stress. N****r who got warrants out for their arrest."
Big Brother has previously taken serious action when the N-word has been used.
Blonde student Emily Parr was thrown out for using the racially offensive term to fellow housemate Charley Uchea in June 2007.
The pair were together when Emily said: "Are you pushing it out, you n*****r."
The next morning, at 3am, she was woken and called into the Diary Room. She later insisted she hadn't used it in an "offensive way".
Two years ago Jade Goody was evicted from Celebrity Big Brother in January 2007 after a row over alleged racism and bullying against Indian Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.
The public outcry that resulted saw the show off air until Friday night.
She called her "Shilpa Poppadom'", asked whether she lived in a "house or a shack'" and told to "go back to the slums."
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This article has 66 comments
Life is full of double standards.. there are two variations of the N word, One is acceptable when used exclusively by black people, The other is derogatory towards black people and obviously unacceptable. History shows us the world has taken from black people, i think if they want to take the N word and not give it back then fair play. If you feel the need to have the N word in your vocab then you need to face the consequences. only cowards say it when no1 is around for kicks
By Stephen Tudor. Posted January 25 2009 at 3:45 AM.
black rapper's use the 'n' word in there song lyrics so white people cant sing the words FACT.
By TERRY. Posted January 18 2009 at 1:21 PM.
C4 and BB knew exactly what they were getting when they ASKED Coolio to be on CBB. He was picked to stir trouble, cause controversy and boost the ratings. Tina was picked for the same reason and both Coolio and Tina have not let their bosses down, because they are the only two doing the stirring in there and grabbing most of the newspaper headlines.
By Frank Walsh. Posted January 18 2009 at 7:21 AM.
When this word was used by a white girl....In NO offensive way at all, she was kicked out of the house. If a word is deemed to be offensive for one, then so it should be for another. You cannot have different laws for different races, creeds or colours. The laws need to change to make clear that words are merely words, offensive behaviour however is what should be judged, and this behaviour would be judged differently if offensive if derogatory names were used at the same time. Then words become offensive. NOT when used it normal speech. Get it right, and do it NOW BB. Stand up for freedom of speech, FOR ALL and against offensive behaviour BY ANYONE
By Cal. Posted January 16 2009 at 1:07 PM.
RICK!! YOU DO USE THAT WORD!! YOU JUST DON'T DO IT IN PUBLIC, WE KNOW YOU USE IT!! SO GET OVER YOURSELF AND UNDERSTAND THIS! BLACK PEOPLE USE IT YOU GAVE US THAT WORD, YOU MADE IT OURS!! NOW WE USE IT YOU DON'T LIKE IT!! GROW UP, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE IT BUT YOU DO!!!!! DON'T YOU?? PROB SAYING IT RIGHT NOW!!! PATHETIC
By princess. Posted January 13 2009 at 4:01 PM.
Double standards should not be tolerated. He needs to be kicked off the show immediately.
By HH. Posted January 11 2009 at 7:09 PM.
With American BB, you can only be kicked out if you are harming someone physically. Which I think the coolio thing is one extreme, and the harming someone is on the other end of the spectrum. I think there is a medium that both BBs should do. I think no one should get kicked out for saying one thing, esp about themselves. If they were bullying someone and being racist, then they should. Bullying and beyond in my opinion is terms for kicking housemates out. Or tearing up the house possibly also. You get the idea. I'm not trying to constantly compare, just shocked that people are upset about a black man calling himself that and wanting him kicked out, and that it can actually happen.
By R. Posted January 6 2009 at 12:29 PM.
It would be absolutely unfair to punish Coolio. Do you know how many black people in America refer to themselves one time or another in that way??? I didn't know that the UK was uptight about it if a black person did it. I am also surprised you can get kicked out of the BB house. In America, if a white person does it even, there will be anger from AMerica, but you won't be kicked out. But anyway, my point is, he is black and I think it's ok for him to refer to himself that way. I admit I get tired of it sometimes, but I think they are overreacting if he did it a couple of times and considering punishing him. People have to remember rules in America are different and he is from America.
By R. Posted January 6 2009 at 12:22 PM.
i am blonde and 35 so i can call people bimbos and say theyre "the wrong side of 30"
fat people can make fun out of each other
COS THEY'RE ALLOWED
It's an unwritten rule. that word is part of his culture, his social life and his lyrics...leave the guy alone to be the individual he is
You cant invite Coolio to the house and expect him to behave!!!
By claire. Posted January 5 2009 at 2:18 PM.
Who exactly was offended here? As far as I can tell, only Coolio and Ben where involved in the conversation, CBB didn't even broadcast the conversation for fear of offending our ever increasing sensibilities. Black people can call themselves whatever they like, however coming from a white person I can't think of any circumstances it would be an approrpriate word to use.
By spacechick09. Posted January 5 2009 at 12:36 PM.
bloody hell why r their actually people waistin their phone bill 4 i bet u none of them were black....well there might of been 1 or 2 but not many.
his a black man ffs he can say what the hell he likes and ur damn right a white person is not allowed 2 say it because then that is racist...all the white people on here complainin sayin 1 rule for 1 and 1 rule 4 another....i wont say who the rule applies 2 but ask urself this...is it the blacks that run and complain when racist abuse is chucked at them???? no i think not!
By L Miller. Posted January 5 2009 at 11:57 AM.
Whenever I start to think people are way too sensitive in the U.S, I come across something from the U.K. that makes me realize we really aren't that bad. Thanks guys. People from both places seem to have a problem with comprehension and critical thinking when it comes to CONTEXT, however. I find that many celebrity stories from the UK tend to have this tone of being very whiny and over the top wussy and offended at the most minor things. If someone eats a steak, he's having a heart attack. If someone says a bad word, he needs his Nannies to punish him. And so on.
By Greg USA. Posted January 5 2009 at 2:40 AM.
I don't c any problem with this. A black man using it against himself (and it started as a way of diluting the derogatory meaning). I guess whites have names which they call urselves which they don't want others to use. I heard they say the British like to complain about their weather but they talk offense if others do. It's like somebody saying I am fat. What's the hack? If I say to some1 u r fat, then that's something.
By the way, I am African and am black.
By Mubrang. Posted January 4 2009 at 6:52 PM.
historical facts forbid caucasians using the N word because it was used in a derogatory manner by whites to describe the black people. Black people use the word to deminimise the previous meaning. It is easy to know when a person uses the word to derogatory way. But to avoid your ass being kicked just don't use the word if you are white, and worse if you are Asians Because blacks sees many Asians as more racists than even white people.
By Josh Githinji. Posted January 4 2009 at 6:24 PM.
All well and good u saying he is a black man and he is aloud to use the n word but if i started saying honkey on tv i belive alot of people may find this offensive. I have alot of black friends and i never hear them using this word and its not like i live in the best estate in the uk. The word came aroud to degrade and alienate black people from the white, if they chose to keep using the word and lowering themself to the level of the people who made the word so be it.To say that its ok for him to use it is a bit far fetched if u don't wont white people to use it then get it out ur own valcabuary.
By white_honkey. Posted January 4 2009 at 6:20 PM.
Come on now its not a case of how can it be right for one and not right for another.
When he used the word its not at all meant in a derogatory way. for what instance would a white person use that word other then reciting some history or somthing of the like apart from that anyone else would be using it in a raciost way.
how he hell could he be using it in a racist way.
you all just want somthing to say.
listen it dont work like that and you know it
By james. Posted January 4 2009 at 5:43 PM.
Come on pple.. he is BLACK and used the N word describing a dream. As a black person i do not find it racist unless it was meant to be racist this goes to show how bad things are now. people need the right to express themselves without fear.
By keney. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:27 PM.
Everyone or no one should use the word. There cannot be one rule for white's and another for blacks.
Kick him out of CBB and maka an example of him, he was warned before going into the CBB house NOT to use the word!!!!!!!!
By Jonny. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:25 PM.
why should white people be allowed to say it whats the big deal . he's black not bein offensive there's no double standards to it white people should be banned from using it.
By myles. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:09 PM.
Goodness me, can anyone tell me what would have happened if a white person had used the word, in any context?
By Stephen. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:08 PM.
Coolio did not directly use the N word on any other black person in the house he was describing a dream. Unlike Emliy who directly used the word on Charlie. As a man of colour i do believe he is allowed to say the word although i do not agree with such language. It also comes down to culture the N word is well know and well used among black Amercians and as far as Coolio being a 'gangster rapper' oh please he is hardly 'The Game' or some hard core gangster from the streets of Amercia, this situation cannot be compared to last year where Jade Goody and co who are white made racist comments against a non white person.
By seven. Posted January 4 2009 at 3:17 PM.
Black people are allowed to use the N word, thats common knowledge.
By Chris J. Posted January 4 2009 at 2:40 PM.
White people should not use the N-word END OF!
By Mew. Posted January 4 2009 at 2:38 PM.
If you are black or any colur that isn't white, you can get away with racism.
What a joke of a country we live in now!!!
By Telford. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:58 AM.
this country is becoming a laughing stock ,you cant say what comes into your mind anymore whithout the fear of the p.c.brigade on your tail .what ever happened to free speech .every person in the world is racist in some way or another .people should be proud of thier race and colour .
By tony lake. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:09 AM.
Reported speech where is the problem, perhaps in the producers leaking to the press for publicity for a dying programme. Or is that too cynical.
By kevin s. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:05 AM.
FFS get a life. all of you.
By roger. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:23 AM.
So bloody what !!!!
Its just a word for gods sake, if you dont like it, you know where the off switch is, stop nit picking.
get a life and watch blue peter!
By terri. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:20 AM.
grow up and get a life there is no double standards he said it get over it.shall we ban all hiphop songs because they have the N word in them or just not allow white people to buy them .How far are you willing to go ,PC gone mad.
By Martin Parkes. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:29 AM.
Stop crawling to the politicly correct muppets who tell people what to say, what they should be thinking and how they should live ... Up yours is what i say to you sort of people. If you don't like it .. Don't Watch It Or Turn It Over .. Simple answers really isn't it ... Sad moaning no life Fools.
By Kev. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:48 PM.
So if any white band does a cover of a rap song, they are then racist. It,s like saying Verne can say Little but no one else can.
By pete. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:37 PM.
This is all a publicity stunt by channel 4 because the viewing figures are very low.
By Thomas. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:46 PM.
Oh people please, yes I agree he probably should have been reminded of the rules, however as a black man myself I can say that if I were to hear a black person use the word I would not be offended however if someone of another race, not only white there are many others, I possibly, depending on the context the word was used would be.
A word on its own has no meaning unless you are answering a closed question. A word comes to life in a sentence and as humans we have the ability to recognise its meaning depending on what words are used surrounding it. I wish people would use their God given abilities before shouting racist as soon as this word is mentioned. Many other factors need to be taken into consideration before that conclusion can be made.
C4 made a judgement call and from what I've read no-one was offended, Coolio saying the word does not make him a racist nor does if suggest it when the only race the word is meant to be offensive to is the race which he himself is.
Of course it would be different if someone of another race said it because, again depending on the context it was used, COULD suggest that he or she was a racist person. To be a racist is not to use certain words but it is to use them in a context which is meant to be racist or offensive. Anyone who feels someone can be racist to his own race, please explain how when in doing so they would indeed be insulting themselves and their own family in the process, why would anyone do that?
By Tony. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:43 PM.
I am black & I don't like the word. Having said that, when Coolio uses it it's just that but, lets not forget when it was used for centuries by white people it gave them carte blanche to: deny, degrade, denegrate, dehumanise, hang, flog, use, rape, destroy, work to death, deny heritage; culture; language; family. Oh the list is endless shall I go on, oh dear I can't I'm running out of space!?"*?!!!??? Get over yourselves because coolio is not about to start doing any of the above & no, white people don't have the right to use it. I don't expect this to be published & I know why but hey 'suprise me'.
By Tessy. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:42 PM.
Ok people lets get this into perspective, words are only offensive depending on the context in which they are used.
Coolio was repeating a dream whereby someone called him the N word, he wasn't directing the word at anyone, however in Steph's case she used the term at Charley - big difference!!!
There really is no double standards here - and yes i think after the all the past history that surrounds that word i think black people have the RIGHT to now own it so if we choose to use it then so be it!!!!
Personally i dont, whereas some do - but remember its all about the CONTEXT of how its used.
By Cass. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:58 AM.
Jee, why would a white person use the word FFS?
Far too many closet racists/xenophobes in here, SEETHING at the fact that it's not socially acceptable for them to use a derogatory word towards black people.
By bill. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:12 PM.
Considering the show is being highly censored it matters little it is now BB nightly soap. Most fans will not bother now as no live feed.Ch 4 wanted to end it and will now succeed with their decision.
Irate 64 year old who loved the show.
By pat kent. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:20 PM.
you do not need harvard education to be a celebrity,using the N word to the black race is an insult because of its meaning and how it was used.It is like calling all white people Nazis or boers
By betty. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:24 AM.
Of course he's not getting done, If he was white he would be dragged over the coals and be a social lepper already. Thats racist but thats the way it is all over, these days you can only be racist if your white.
By Jee. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:38 AM.
OMG when is this rubbish going to end!! All this p.c is ruining our country!
Fear of a word fear of a name...its only offensive if you allow it to be, its a bunch of letters and even if its said in an abusive way people should just remember that! If you take offense to an abuser's taunts then you allow the words to take meaning, if you ignore it and the person saying it then they have no ammunition against you.
We are all human beings, all equal and we only make ourselves different by accepting that certain language can demean us in any way!
By Denise. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:50 AM.
One rule for some and another rule for others.
The word is either banned or it isn't.
Oh yeah - I forgot about positive discrimination...So it is one rule for some and one rule for another.
By Giro. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:47 AM.
OMG...this is the way he speaks....get over it and stop being so bloody sensitive......i hear far worse out in the street
By simone. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:45 AM.
another example of inside racism and discrimination, white people cant say n***** but a black man can, what the **** has britain came to.
By dave. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:37 AM.
It is always the same,when a black person uses this disgusting word and all the others then it is ok,but heavens forbid when a white person happens to say it. Why would anyone want to use this vile word is beyond me
By Ann Chambers. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:36 AM.
There seems to be one rule for one and one for another. They are all Has-beens. Who watches this rubbish?
By David. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:30 AM.
AS THERE IS NO LIVE FEED THEY CAN SAY WHAT THEY LIKE.WATCHED IT AT 12 O CLOCK LAST NIGHT ALL IN BED EXCEPT COOLIO UNPACKING HIS SUIT CASE.HOW CAN C4 EXPECT TO GET VIEWERS BACK WATCHING?
By merryl. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:28 AM.
if this n***** word was said but not aired, who was the person responsible to spill the beans to the papers in the first place, if it was from BB or Endemol themselves then OBVIOUSLY they are only after the bad publicity to get more viewers as i bet the ratings are down after last years CBB. need i say more!!!!!!!
By wendy. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:43 AM.
Same old, 1 rule for 1 Channel 4 get a grip.
By Ally. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:52 AM.
Here we go again, look at the context people, he was repeating a dream, durrr!!!!
By Syl. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:58 AM.
So BB and Endemol have let this incident pass because they claim 'no one has been offended'. If I remember rightly, no on was offended when Emily said it and she was still thrown out of the house!
Emily said the 'N' word as part of conversation, she didn't call Charley it and at the time Charley didn't even bat an eyelid cos that's the language she uses and is used to!
Charley only pretended to be offended once she realised it was becoming an issue and that she was going to be in the middle of something, lets face it after the way Charley behaved in the house and after the way she spoke to others, I think it's fair to say that not an awful lot would upset her!
It will be interesting to see how BB handle any other issues regarding racism and offensive language for the remainder of programme and if double standards will apply to them!
By Janine Chivers. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:51 AM.
why is it racist when a white person say's n****r but whena black person uses the same word its not racist.. bout time everyone is allowed to use the word if its not racist for a black person to use the word
By Rick. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:06 AM.
From the way the story reads, it sounds like Coolio was describing an insult toward him.....thats what the word is...An insulting Profanity!
Its similar to the use of the F word, no one even notices if someone says F*** Me, but the whole context of the word changes if you change it to F""" you!
I think what black people have done with this word is brilliant!! They have turned it on its head and now use it in a general term to dilute its a mening little but havent lost the meaning entirely!
Also, Its a reality show....whats the point in a reality show where people are restricted from showing how they live in real life???? It may as well be scripted!!
By Gareth. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:03 AM.
Oh thats ok, as long as a white person does not say it, then it isnt racist!!!!!!!!!!!
By shani. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:02 AM.
All this PC attitude is making our country the s**t hole it is. People need to grow up.
He was talking about a dream he had about himself.
Me thinks the comments on here are more racist. Just coz he's black, if he was white 99% of you wouldnt care.
By paul. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:11 AM.
Get over it, he didn't offend anyone, I bet the legal action they would face and the backlash for kicking him out over that would be much much worse than telling him off. Some perspective is needed here.
By clueless. Posted January 4 2009 at 6:53 AM.
So what? It was a one off and in
context. grow up the lot of you.
By John Chambers. Posted January 4 2009 at 5:17 AM.
It's only racist if it is intentionally said with malice.... in the course of normal conversation amongst SOME black people it is not offensive.
In addition, Emily should perhaps have been reprimanded but not removed.... at the time she said it, it was totally innocent.
By Jels. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:54 AM.
This word is racist and offensive and he should be disciplined celebrity or not.
You can't have one rule for him and rule for everyone else.
Or are C4 practicing reverse racism?
They kicked out someone before for saying that word they should do it again this year
By hobnob. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:38 AM.
double standards again,,he shouldhave been removed from the house,,they ruined stephs experience in big brother when they overeacted,but at the same time they set the standard...they clearly said that there could never be any acceptable excuse for using this word..
its has offended me very badly.
By jamesd. Posted January 4 2009 at 3:49 AM.
Double standards, So are they saying only black people are 'allowed' to be offended by the term? Are they saying white people would not be offended just because they are white??
Its 'normally' white pc do-gooders that get offended 'for' black people anyway!
Sickening.
By Lee. Posted January 4 2009 at 3:35 AM.
Ben didnt take offense that is a brilliant line a black man using the N word about himself and they were worried a white man would take offense brilliant channel 4 just brilliant
By magic_fingers. Posted January 4 2009 at 2:22 AM.
Plus do not compare the Shilpa Shetty incident to to what Coolio said ..they are two very different scenarios..
By Kimora Lee. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:02 AM.
How can they tell him off for talking about himself? He wasn't saying it at anyone....
By Clint. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:02 AM.
He is not a gangsta rapper but african american both rappers and non rappers in general do use that word very loosely...As a people we use that word to each other and we do not find it offensive. H e's music he's positive go you tube some of his video you will see what i mean...Please dont think that every rapper is a gangsta rapper...i mean Will Smith is a rapper too, so he's he a gangsta as well? come on give me a break!!
By Kimora Lee . Posted January 4 2009 at 1:01 AM.
WHY HAS HE NOT BEEN REPRIMANDED OR THROWN OF THE SHOW, IT AINT FAIR BIG BROTHER.
By weemadnorrie. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:55 AM.
What did they expect. The guy's a gangster rapper and that's the language he uses most of the time. He isn't exactly Harvard educated. It's like having someone with Tourettes in the house and asking them to not swear!!!
By dean. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:21 AM.