Recent remarks by That Mexican OT regarding his use of the N-word have sparked renewed debate about whether Latinos should be allowed to use the term. The conversation has drawn responses from fellow rappers such as Cleotrapa, Anycia, Monaleo and Sauce Walka, who are all weighing in on the issue of racial boundaries in rap.
During an appearance on Angela Yee’s Lip Service podcast on June 18, That Mexican OT addressed questions about cancel culture. When asked by Cleotrapa about his stance on using the N-word, he defended his position.
He argued that his upbringing in a predominantly Black community shaped his perspective, stating, “I feel like I can say it… What the f### are you going to do about it? And second of all, I grew up loving these muthafas. I grew up fighting with them. I grew up eating with them. I grew up doing bad s### with them. I grew up loving them.”
He further explained that it wasn’t just about having Black relatives but about being surrounded by Black culture and people throughout his life. Despite acknowledging that some people might be offended, he maintained his stance, saying, “If you are from where I’m from, what the f* are you gonna do about it?”.
Cleo responded by pointing out that, regardless of personal background, some individuals will always find the word disrespectful, emphasizing that the issue is not just about personal experience but also about broader perceptions of respect.
Meanwhile, Anycia reacted to OT’s comments on social media, expressing a clear stance: “If u not black. stop saying n####. period. Idk why that’s so hard??? idc who u grew up with. if u NOT black expand ur vocabulary.”
Monaleo added a tweet of her own, which Anycia promptly shared.
“all this talk about who can/can’t say n*gga a day after juneteenth is egregious,” she wrote. “If not u not black don’t say ngga! the fck be wrong with yall? shame on anybody condoning the use of a slur towards a marginalized community that isn’t even your own. in 2025 at that. the audacity!”
if u not black. stop saying n####. period. idk why that’s so hard??? idc who u grew up with. if u NOT black expand ur vocabulary.
— ANYCIA (@princesspopthat) June 20, 2025
all this talk about who can/can’t say n*gga a day after juneteenth is egregious
if not u not black don’t say ngga! the fck be wrong with yall?
shame on anybody condoning the use of a slur towards a marginalized community that isn’t even your own. in 2025 at that. the audacity !
— MONALEO 🎀 (@themonaleo) June 20, 2025
Sauce Walka, who frequently collaborates with That Mexican OT, responded to Anycia’s criticism by questioning who has the authority to decide who can use the word. He compared it to saying Black people can’t eat tacos and called the backlash “ignorance at its finest.”
He also argued that the word has evolved in meaning within certain communities, saying it now represents love, companionship, and brotherhood, and that it’s no longer a derogatory term in those contexts.
The n-word debate isn’t new to rap. Artists like Fat Joe have also faced criticism for their use of the N-word. Fat Joe has repeatedly explained that his use of the word stems from growing up in a predominantly Black environment, and he views it as part of his cultural upbringing.
The Terror Squad vet has acknowledged the word’s negative history but said it’s become ingrained in his vocabulary from an early age and that he tries to be mindful of offending others, though he maintains that no one can dictate how he expresses himself.