| | Associated Press
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| Iverson |
PHILADELPHIA -- Allen Iverson apologized Thursday to gays
and women who might be offended by the lyrics on his new rap album.
The album by the Philadelphia 76ers star, "Non-Fiction," has
been criticized in newspapers, and discussion about it has
dominated sports radio shows. Though fellow hip-hop artists and
rap-music critics say Iverson's lyrics are typical of the music
style, columnists and radio hosts have criticized Iverson's lyrics
for giving the team a bad reputation and presenting a poor image
for fans.
"If individuals of the gay community and women of the world are
offended by any of the material in my upcoming album, let the
record show that I wish to extend a profound apology," Iverson
said in a statement.
"If a kid thinks that I promote violence by the lyrics of my
songs, I beg them not to buy it or listen to it. I want kids to
dream and to develop new dreams."
The album is due out in February; an edited version of one rap,
"40 Bars," will be released to radio stations Oct. 10. The song
is peppered with references to women, blacks and gays and contains
the following lyric: "Man enough to pull a gun, be man enough to
squeeze it." The song ends with the lyrics played over the sounds
of a gun being cocked and fired.
Iverson said the lyrics are drawn from his personal experiences
and "my music is the way I express myself."
"I lived in the projects all of my life before the NBA, and I
witnessed sex, violence and drugs on a daily basis," the statement
said. "It is entertainment, an art form that does not follow the
typical rules of the English language."
Until Thursday, Iverson had declined to comment about the lyrics
with mainstream media and said only that the album was intended for
listeners over age 21.
At training camp in State College on Thursday, 76ers president
Pat Croce said the album had nothing to do with Iverson's play on
the court.
"I've told you I don't condone the lyrics. I'm not qualified to
evaluate the lyrics," Croce said. "I don't know if what John
Rocker did was different but in no way am I going to suspend Allen
Iverson."
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News and ESPN radio's Tony Kornheiser on Allen Iverson's rap record.
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