Fat Joe On The 'Gay Mafia' Of Hip-Hop And Rap Music (VIDEO)

Hip-hop isn't generally known for being the genre of preference for most LGBT performers or audiences, but now, one star is speaking up on behalf of the "gay mafia" that he's certain exists within that world.

In an interview with VladTV, rapper Fat Joe -- who is gearing up for the release of his yet-to-be-named eleventh album, said he's certain he's performed alongside gay rappers. "There's millions of gay people in the world," he said. "In 2011, you've got to hide that you're gay? Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, be real. Like, I'm gay. What the f*ck? If you gay, you gay...that's your preference."

After praising Lady Gaga's relationship with her LGBT audience, Fat Joe went on to comment on what he describes as hip-hop's "gay mafia," referring to music executives and award show participants, and how he feels that gays "own" hip-hop. "I happen to think there's a gay mafia in hip-hop," he quipped.

Watch Fat Joe's full interview below (NOTE: contains explicit language):