Rapper Asher Roth to Come Out of the Closet?

Possibly the first popular rap artist to admit he's gay.

It may only be a rumor, but Rapper Asher Roth, who has shot to fame recently with his signature brand of humorous, slightly political hip hop, is reportedly ready to admit he is gay. Roth will reportedly appear on E! News during its Christmas Holiday celebration to talk about his coming out.

In former MTV executive Terrence Dean's book, "Hiding in Hip-Hop: Confesion of a Down Low Brother in the Entertainment Industry," an unnamed gay rapper was hinted at, and now it has been revealed to be Asher Roth.

Roth's first studio album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle, was released in April of this year, with his hit single "I Love College" already a staple at parties nationwide. His style has garnered him praise, and even gained comparisons to rapper Eminem.

More recently, Roth made an appearance at a Gay Rights Parade alongside Lady Gaga, Clay Aiken, Blink 182 and REM singer Michael Stipe.

If the rumors are true, Roth will be the first major rapper to come out of the closet. And considering the genre's penchant for parading heterosexuality and homophobia, Roth won't have it easy from here on out.

Still, his experience in the rap game so far has given him a positive outlook.

"I was always from the outside looking in," Roth said in a past interview. "Hip-hop has always been very influential in the 'burbs, [but] it’s just a matter of where we could relate to it. You find a lot of kids that are really confused. You look at them and they’re dressed out of character. They don’t look right. I figured out, I don’t have to dress this way, but I can still love hip-hop."