Yes — Dame Dash’s use of the word “gay” on The Breakfast Club (2015 interview) was seen by many as offensive because of the context and tone.
He used the word as an insult, more as a synonym for “weak” or “soft,” rather than in reference to someone’s sexuality. That kind of usage is considered derogatory and homophobic, because it reinforces the stereotype that being gay is something negative or lesser.
At the time, it caused some backlash online. Many listeners pointed out that while Dame Dash was making larger points about independence, business, and respect, dropping the word “gay” in that dismissive way undercut his message and alienated people.
👉 So while he likely didn’t mean it as a literal attack on LGBTQ+ people, the way he used it was offensive by today’s standards (and even back then to many).
Do you want me to pull up the exact clip and context so we can break down what he said word-for-word?
I couldn’t find a full, reliable transcript of the exchange, but I located several clips and news summaries that give enough detail to outline what was said and why it was controversial. Here’s what I found, plus some analysis.
What was said (from available sources)
Dame Dash repeatedly called Charlamagne “gay” during their interview on The Breakfast Club.
He also said things like “you act a little gay,” questioned his masculinity, and compared his behavior to stereotypes (“moves like an old auntie,” etc.).
He paired the “gay” comments with insults like “broke.”
When challenged, Dash framed his remarks as critiques of how Charlamagne presents himself rather than as a direct claim about his sexual orientation; but the tone and framing made the comments feel like attacks.
Context & Why It Was Seen as Problematic
Insult usage: He used “gay” as part of denigrating or criticizing Charlamagne’s masculinity (“you act a little gay”, etc.). That’s a common way that such terms can be offensive: using them not to describe someone, but to demean them.
Reinforcing stereotypes: The stereotypes (“moves like an old auntie”, etc.) bring in gendered expectations that equate certain kinds of behavior with being “less masculine” or with being gay in a derogatory way. That contributes to harmful perceptions about what is or isn’t acceptable behavior for men, particularly in Black communities.
Public platform: Because it was on The Breakfast Club, a high-profile show in hip-hop culture, the remarks had wide visibility and got shared, criticized, and discussed widely. The impact is bigger when such speech happens in prominent public forums.