As another day goes by, seemingly there goes another completely absurd public gaffe in the burgeoning hip hop career of Wale Folarin. This time, it’s not proclaiming that Pharrell was “crying over the phone” trying to submit last second beats for debut Attention: Deficit. It wasn’t the incessant public redressing of his haters on Twitter. Nor was it being cold, standoffish, or otherwise odd. It’s something far far far worse, and the final straw between me as a supporter of Washington, DC, and as well, of hip hop.

After being scheduled to play at a Black Pride event as part of DC’s African-American lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered celebration weekend, the artist backed out, citing concerns over playing at an all gay event. For better or worse, Wale is DC’s international hip hop representative. Not the ultra-talented Tabi Bonney, nor the backpacker superheroes the Diamond District. Instead it’s Wale, the world’s most hypersensitive emcee. Clearly concerned after less than spectacular sales for his debut album, the artist is clearly over thinking each and every move he makes, and when you assume you are doing things correctly, you do what everyone that assumes does, as the old saying goes, “making an ass out of u and me.” Now, outside of being hated as an emcee in his hometown for “leaving the city behind,” he’s now an emo homophobe. All that being said, it might be time for Wale to leave DC behind.

In being DC’s hip hop representative, he’s opened doors and people extending from Diamond District to Don Juan have benefited tremendously. However, in doing so, he’s now clearly developed into a moron, capable of making the most pedantic of moves into a debacle of epic proportions. DC doesn’t need Wale, but Wale needs hip hop. Therefore, it’s time for Wale to turn in his Gilbert Arenas jersey, hand over his Redskins cap, disavow ever referring to himself as “Wale Ovechkin,” and turn in his Barra Brava membership card. DC is united now, and all divisive forces are an unnecessary blemish. Wale is a good rapper with great adlibs. Maybe it’s time for him to relocate. New York. LA. Miami. Atlanta. But this one is a NIMBY case now. Not In My Back Yard. Like I said when I read of his homophobia allegations, “aw hell no, Wale’s gotta go!”

In the 1960s, 70s and 80s, this would’ve never happened. Wale is a special artist. He’s highly entertaining and is an exemplary wordsmith. If he were signed to say, Motown, he would’ve been schooled in all aspects of artist development and would know how to comport himself like a gentleman of grace and honor. The death of artist development on record labels is another column for another day. But for a guy who runs around and throws his diamond in the sky more than Kanye West did almost a decade ago, maybe Wale should take a cue from the general of the Roc Nation team and shut up and embrace any fans he can find in his hometown. Yes, I know. It’s hip hop. The very nature of the genre is couched entirely in homophobia. Wale’s struggling. Identifying with the gay community certainly won’t help him appeal to the hip hop masses. But hell. It’s also 2010, AND, the hip hop masses didn’t exactly shut iTunes down for the day buying his debut. Wale himself often mentions how hard of a sell he is because he appeals to such a wide spectrum of fans. Maybe it’s time for Wale to realize he’s not going to be Rakim. He’s not going to be Will Smith, either, but maybe a happy medium. Playing a gay pride event? Not the worst idea ever. Even if not the case, it shows him to be forward thinking individual, and possibly someone worthy of mainstream acceptance.

DC’s on fire. Say what you will, but Barack Obama’s election made the Capital City extremely sexy. The New York Times can’t stop ranting and raving about us, the Real World was just here, and people worldwide are starting to take note of DC for more than being the city where the guy smoked crack and got his job back. The U Street Music Hall though smaller provides comparable entertainment options to Pacha, Fabric, Body English or any other top international club spot in the universe. Restaurants and commercial development are on the rise as spots like Nando’s Peri Peri and Ping Pong Dim Sum, which would have NEVER considered DC real estate, are now entrenching themselves in the “capital of the free world.” The Washington Wizards won the NBA Draft Lottery, and the already filled to the brim Verizon Center for the wildly successful Washington Capitals hockey franchise looks to be full for 40 more nights in the winter as well. On a governmental note, though somewhat controversial, mayor Adrian Fenty has spearheaded the passing of gay marriage legislation as well as attempting to make medicinal marijuana a possibility. A rapper with mainstream potential who won’t rap in front of gay people because he doesn’t want NahRight.com or The Smoking Section blog commenters to make jokes? That just doesn’t fit here anymore. We’re off that. On to the next one, and it damned sure isn’t Wale.

In final, I wish he would’ve said this and immediately been punched in the face by a gay male, akin to Charles Hamilton’s career getting floored after he insinuated he impregnated his ex-girlfriend. At least that would’ve had an element of humor and would’ve eased the sting of this revelation. When blatant ignorance goes without comeuppance, it’s truly a sad day. However, I can’t front. I love me some Wale tracks. “Sweatin’ Out Weaves” with UCB, “Pretty Girls,” “Chillin’ (namely Skratch Bastid’s edit) and “My Sweetie” will always get spins. But this guy just can’t share my air anymore. I apologize if he listens to my advice and fills yours, but hopefully by then he’d have learned a lesson and shuts up and tries to gain a fanbase. I don’t care if you spit rhymes like Papoose and have the mainstream appeal of Drake. If you’re signed to a major label and don’t exercise a modicum of self control and media savvy, you’re kinda worthless to me. Tabi, Diamond District, the spotlight’s on you. No fumbles. All touchdowns. The city needs you now more than ever. Shameful.