Miley Cyrus clarifies hip-hop remarks

LOS ANGELES: Miley Cyrus said she respects and appreciates all genres of music, but is gravitating now to “more uplifting, conscious rap,” with an eye to giving the younger generation a more positive message with her own music.

The pop star took to Instagram over the weekend to clarify remarks in a recent interview that some have seen as denigrating hip-hop music and rap lyrics.

“So, to be clear I respect ALL artists who speak their truth and appreciate ALL genres of music,” Cyrus wrote Friday. “I have always and will continue to love and celebrate hip hop as I’ve collaborated with some of the very best!“

But, she added, “At this point in my life I am expanding personally/musically and gravitating more toward uplifting, conscious rap!“

In a Billboard magazine interview published online Wednesday, Cyrus gave a generic example of sexually explicit lyrics about women, and said that such lyrics “pushed me out of the hip-hop scene a little.”

On Instagram, Cyrus added that as she gets older, she understands the effect music has on the world.

“I feel the younger generation needs to hear positive powerful lyrics!” she wrote.

Cyrus also told Billboard that she had not smoked marijuana in three weeks — the longest she has ever gone without it.

Cyrus is promoting an upcoming album. Its lead single, “Malibu,” is set to be released Thursday. She said her new music is unlike anything she has recorded before.