JAY-Z's mother, Gloria Carter came out as a lesbian on "Smile," a track off of J's new album 4:44.
JAY- Z raps, "Mama had four kids, but she's a lesbian/ Had to pretend so long that she's a thespian/ Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate/ Society shame and the pain was too much to take/ Cried tears of joy when you fell in love/ Don't matter to me if it's a him or her".
The poetic outro of the track is a recording of Gloria talking about her struggle and decision to "be free." "Love who you love" she says, "because life isn't guaranteed. Smile."