(AllHipHop News) Aesop Rock is making it clear what side he stands on when it comes to LGBT rights.
The rapper, who just released his album The Impossible Kid, is currently on a nationwide tour to support his first album in four years.
On the outing, he has two dates in North Carolina, which is at the center of a battle with the Department of Justice over gender equality.
The Rhymesayers Entertainment emcee will donate the proceeds of his show at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro on June 29 and another at in Charlotte.
“All proceeds from the Carrboro and Charlotte, North Carolina stops of the Impossible Kid tour will be donated to Equality NC – a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for LGBT North Carolinians. The discriminatory HB2 law is shameful,” Aesop Rock told AllHipHop.com in a statement.
The news comes as the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against North Carolina over House Bill 2, aka HB2, which was passed in the state in March.
It’s also known as “the bathroom bill” because it bans people from using restrooms that do not match with their biological sex as opposed to the gender they identify with.
Dozens of performers have scrapped their shows in North Carolina, while numerous businesses have left or canceled plans for expansion in the state.
“We felt that cancelling the show outright would not represent our fanbase who also stand against such injustices, and hope that by contributing to the fight locally we can do our small part in a much larger mission,” Aesop Rock said of his reasoning for the performance.
Yesterday (May 9), Loretta Lynch and the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the state of North Carolina, claiming HP to violates the Civil Rights Act.
To support Aesop Rock’s cause and donate visit http://equalitync.org. The Impossible Kid is in stores now.
Check Aesop Rock’s full tour schedule below:
5/10 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
5/12 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo
5/13 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
5/15 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
5/16 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
5/18 – Las Vegas, NV – Fremont Country Club
5/20 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
5/21 – Durango, CO – Animas City Theatre
5/23 – Denver, CO – Cervantes
5/24 – Ft Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
6/2- Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
6/3 – Chicago, IL – Metro
6/4 – Grand Rapids, MI – Pyramid Scheme
6/6 – Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot
6/7 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
6/8 – Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
6/10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater
6/11 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
6/13 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
6/15 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
6/16 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
6/17 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
6/27 – Richmond, VA – The National
6/28 – Washington, DC – 930 Club
6/29 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
7/2 – Knoxville, TN – The International
7/3 – Atlanta, GA – The Loft
7/5 – Orlando, FL – The Social
7/6 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
7/8 – St Petersburg, FL – State Theatre
7/10 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
7/11 – Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theatre
7/13 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
7/14 – Dallas, TX – Trees
Image: Ben Cohen