Rap star A$AP Rocky has commented on gay men coming out, saying that he has “more respect” for artists such as Frank Ocean, and sportsmen like Jason Collins, who come out as gay.

The rap artist, recently spoke out, citing Kanye West and Jay Z as artists who don’t discriminate against gay people, to say that it is “crazy” that it is still an issue.

When asked during the interview, his opinion on the recent announcement by NBA star Jason Collins that he is gay, the rap star said he had no problem with gay men, and that he respected anyone who comes out.

Jason Collins on Monday spoke about his sexuality, confirming he is gay in an article in Sports Illustrated magazine. He said: “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.

“That’s his business,” said A$AP Rocky in an interview with 93.9 WKYS. “I respect men more for coming out. They joke on Frank Ocean a lot, but at least he ain’t out here frontin’. It’s a lot of mothafucka’s they be out here they be in the closet mothafucka’s. I don’t respect them. I respect gay men who identify it and they out with it. I don’t have a problem with gay people at all.”

Recently, rapper Azealia Banks, who has been involved in controversy in the past for using homophobic slurs, took to Twitter during a feud with A$AP Rocky, and said the straight artist should “come out of the closet” because he insulted her lipstick.

In this most recent interview, he referred to the controversy caused by the lipstick comments, to say that the reaction was “petty”.

The Harlem rapper in March spoke out about homosexuality in the music industry, and said that “it’s crazy” that it is still an issue.

Speaking to Rap-Up, the Harlem rapper, who is set to tour with Rihanna, said that he was annoyed that the public had the perception that people in the hip-hop industry were “small-minded or stupid”.

Snoop Lion, rap-turned-reggae artist, who has been vocal in supporting gay rights, but who has in the past noted the difficulty faced by a gay rap artist wanting to come out, this week said that he thinks “in the near future” it will be much easier.

The 41-year-old star who recently asserted that in the rap music industry, being gay may never be “acceptable” in the way it is for singers, has now changed his tune, saying that people are much more accepting