Several social commentators have criticized the use of both "no homo" and "pause" in hip hop and in the mainstream. It has been said that the phrases "uphold an unhealthy relationship with homosexuality, a relationship based in fear." Fox News commentator Marc Lamont Hill encouraged the hip-hop community to stop using "no homo" in their music. At the same time, Slate columnist Jonah Weiner suggested the use of the phrase is somewhat more complex. Weiner notes several hip hop artists — such as Cam'ron and Lil Wayne — cultivate an extravagant and camp public persona while embracing homophobia thus saying "no homo" can help expand established concepts of masculinity, and challenge the status quo. Nick Catucci, writing for New York magazine, disagrees with this assessment. In his view, "no homo" is merely another form of gay bashing, and to a large extent is used simply because it "just sounds good", and is easily applicable in rhymes. A rapper like Cam'ron, Catucci argues, will use the phrase, and dress in pink, simply to show that he is man enough to get away with it, without being suspected of being gay.
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