LGBT representations in hip hop music explained

LGBT hip hop
Stylistic Origins:West Coast hip hop, queer theory, third wave feminism, pop-rap, bounce music
Cultural Origins:1990s in the United States
Other Topics:Progressive rap

LGBT representations in hip hop music have existed since the birth of the genre even while enduring blatant discrimination. Due to its adjacency to disco, the earliest days of hip hop had a close relation to LGBT subcultures,[1] and multiple LGBT DJs have played a role in popularizing hip hop.[2] Despite this early involvement, hip hop has long been portrayed as one of the least LGBT-friendly genres of music, with a significant body of the genre containing homophobic views and anti-gay lyrics, with mainstream artists such as Eminem and Tyler, the Creator having used casual homophobia in their lyrics, including usages of the word faggot.[3] [4] [5] Attitudes towards homosexuality in hip hop culture have historically been negative, with slang that uses homosexuality as a punchline such as "sus", "no homo", and "pause" being heard in hip hop lyrics from some of the industry's biggest artists. Since the early 2000s there has been a flourishing community of LGBTQ+ hip hop artists, activists, and performers breaking barriers in the mainstream music industry.[6]

Labels such as homo hop or queer hip hop group all artists identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community into a subgenre of hip hop based solely on their sexuality. These subgenre labels are not marked by any specific production style, as artists within it may simultaneously be associated with virtually any other subgenre of hip hop, or may also make music that falls outside the subgenre entirely.[7] Rather, the terms are defined by a direct engagement with LGBT culture in elements such as the lyrical themes or the artist's visual identity and presentation.[8] [9]

Artists who have been labelled as part of the genre have, however, varied in their acceptance of the terminology. Some have supported the identification of a distinct phenomenon of "LGBTQ+ hip hop" as an important tool for promoting LGBTQ+ visibility in popular music, while others have criticized it for trivializing their music as a "niche" interest that circumscribed their appeal to mainstream music fans.

Many artists have contributed to the increased visibility and social acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community's presence in hip hop music, most notably Frank Ocean, who penned an open letter addressing his sexuality in 2012. There has also been an increased presence of LGBTQ+ supporters in the mainstream hip hop community, such as Eminem,[10] [11] [12] Jay-Z,[13] Murs, Kanye West,[14] XXXTentacion,[15] Jack Harlow,[16] Kendrick Lamar,[17] Macklemore, and Ryan Lewis.[18]

History

Origins (1970s)

Hip-hop was developed in the late 1970s following the popularity of disco.[19] Disco music, which contains origins within Black American culture, had an impact on hip-hop from samples to early hip-hop fashion. The disco scene which was derived from disco music was known for its vibrant nightlife that was considered a haven for those in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly LGBTQ+ youth of color.

Despite these origins, early hip-hop artists expressed anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments and epithets common of the time in their music. Sugarhill Gang's 1979 song "Rapper's Delight", the first hip hop record to become a top 40 hit, referred to fictional character Superman as a "fairy" for wearing a skin-tight garment.

Soon after the rise of hip-hop in New York, the LA-based openly gay rap group Age of Consent would perform their song “Fight Back”, an anthem against gay-bashing, at a live rap event in 1981;[20] referring to themselves as “faggot rap” and encouraging other members of the queer community to “fight back” when faced with queer bashing.[21]

1980s–1990s

In 1986, the hip hop trio Beastie Boys originally wanted to name their debut album Don't Be A Faggot, but their record label Columbia Records refused to release it under that title, so it changed the title to Licensed to Ill. Years later, the Beastie Boys formally apologized to the LGBT community for the "shitty and ignorant" things they said on their first record.[22]

During what was considered third-wave feminism, there was an infusion of Black feminist thought into hip-hop by way of Black women in the genre who emphasized issues of race, gender, and sexuality. This included Black LGBTQ+ musicians like Meshell Ndegeocello whose 1993 album Plantation Lullabies is considered an example of the evolving attitudes and politics of the hip hop generation, specifically from younger Black feminists. According to Andreana Clay, "Ndegeocello's lyrics are a product of early Black feminism, radical lesbian feminism, and hip-hop feminism."[23]

In her music, Ndegocello has addressed sexuality and Blackness as a Black bisexual woman, garnering a following from LGBTQ+ feminists of color.[24] Her musical content and appearance also drew criticism from certain listeners and radio stations who refused to play her music. The ideas of Black queer and lesbian feminism influenced hip hop during a moment when politics surrounding sexuality, gender, and race were shifting.[23]

Although more radical queer politics were influencing more mainstream areas of music and society, discrimination remained and LGBTQ+ artists continued to face marginalization and barriers in airtime and commercial success.

2000s–present

Kanye West denounced homophobia in hip hop in an August 2005 interview with Sway Calloway for MTV News. He discussed how his environment led him to be homophobic, and how finding out his cousin was gay changed his perspective. This statement was radical at the time; it was the first major statement against homophobia in hip hop by a popular artist.[25]

Further advancements in acceptance of LGBT in hip hop have begun to take place through the mid-2010s and the 2020s. In 2014, rap duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis joined the United Nations Free & Equal campaign, which aims to advantage equal rights for LGBT people around the world.[18]

In 2017, rapper XXXTentacion spoke out during his concert tour against discrimination towards gay people by hate groups,[15] and was praised as a supporter of transgender rights by multiple transgender artists.[26]

In 2018, rapper Eminem made headlines when he apologized for the first time in his career for previously using homophobic slurs, saying that he now realized "[he] was hurting a lot of other people by saying it." Specifically, Eminem said he regretted calling rapper Tyler, the Creator a "faggot" in his diss track, "Fall".[27] [28] [29] [30]

In 2022, rapper Kendrick Lamar received mixed reactions after he released his song "Auntie Diaries", with some praising the track for being pro-LGBT.[17] [31] However, others criticized Lamar's delivery within the song, as he at some points deadnames his relatives' pronouns and uses the word "faggot". Lamar recalls at the end of the song a previous performance in which he brought out a white female fan to perform his song with him but disapproved of her usage of the word "nigga" because she was not black, to critique himself as a hypocrite for using the word "faggot" when he is not gay. He says, "Faggot, faggot, faggot, we can say it together / But only if you let a white girl say nigga".[32]

Homo hop

The homo hop movement first emerged in the 1990s as an underground movement spearheaded by the hip-hop group Rainbow Flava,[33] [34] particularly in California,[35] in part as a reaction to the widespread acceptance of homophobia in the lyrics of mainstream hip hop performers such as Eminem.[36] Lyrics in songs such as "Criminal" on The Marshall Mathers LP demonstrate this homophobia.[37] [38] Initially coined by Tim'm T. West of Deep Dickollective, the term "homo hop" was not meant to signify a distinct genre of music, but simply to serve as a community building tool and promotional hook for LGBTQ+ artists. According to West:

West's bandmate Juba Kalamka offered a similar assessment:

In a 2001 interview with SFGate.com, West elaborated on the movement's goals:

The genre received a mainstream publicity boost in 2002 and 2003 when Caushun was widely reported as the first openly LGBTQ+ rapper to be signed to a major label,[39] although Caushun was later revealed to have been a publicity stunt engineered by heterosexual musician Ivan Matias.[36]

Notable events in the 2000s included the PeaceOUT World Homo Hop Festival, which was founded in 2001[40] and mounted annually until 2008, and the 2006 documentary film Pick Up the Mic. However, some music critics in this era dismissed the genre as too often sacrificing musical quality in favour of a "didactic" political agenda.[36]

The most commercially successful LGBTQ+ rapper in the 2000s was Cazwell,[9] who emerged as a popular artist in gay dance clubs, and has scored at least six top 40 hits on Billboards Hot Dance Club Songs chart, with a hybrid pop-rap style which he has described as "if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summer for breakfast".[41] Cazwell described his philosophy of music as "create your own space, your own music and have people come to you," and has noted in interviews that he achieved much greater success by "breaking" the rules of the hip hop industry than he ever did in his earlier attempts to pursue mainstream success with the 1990s hip hop duo Morplay.[42]

One of the first mainstream artists to speak out publicly against anti-gay discrimination in hip hop was Kanye West in a 2004 interview with Sway Calloway on MTV News. In the interview Kanye says, "Hip-hop does discriminate against gay people. I want to just come on TV and tell my rappers, my friends, just stop it, fam. Seriously, that's really discrimination". Kanye criticized the hip-hop community, saying, "Hip-hop seemed like it was about fighting for your rights in the beginning, about speaking your mind, and breaking down barriers or whatever, but everybody in hip-hop discriminates against gay people. To me, that's one of the standards in hip-hop is to be like, 'You fag, you gay'".[43]

Criticism

Some artists have criticized the queer hip hop genre as an arbitrary label that can potentially limit an artist's audience and may not actually correspond to their artistic goals or career aspirations. In 2013, Brooke Candy told The Guardian:

One unspecified artist declined to be interviewed for the Guardian feature at all, stating that he preferred to be known as a rapper rather than as a "gay rapper". Eric Shorey, author of "Queer Rap is Not Queer Rap", contests "queer rap" labeling, arguing that "comparisons between gay and straight rap (as if they were two distinct genres) simply doesn't make sense without implied bigotry".[44] Shorey insists that listeners ignore these sexuality-based hip hop classifications and listen more closely to the quality of music being produced. He also suggests that queer artists should be booked alongside straight artists, showing that they are equally talented, and deserve the same amount of recognition. Other artists, on the other hand, don't mind these classifications. British rapper RoxXxan told the Guardian that "I want to be perceived as 'RoxXxan,' but if people label me as 'gay rapper RoxXxan' I'm not offended." Nicky Da B told Austinist that "Basically, I perform for an LGBTQ+ crowd but also for everyone. A lot of the bounce rappers that are rapping and touring at the moment are all gay. The LGBTQ+ community just capitalizes on that I guess, from us being gay, and they support us on it, so that's how it goes I guess."[45]

Commercialization

Another criticism arises from the perceived commercialization of LGBTQ+ representation by hip hop artists. A good example of this is with Nicki Minaj and her approach to presenting sexuality and sexual orientation. She often presents queerness in her music videos and lyrics.[46] This approach has been analyzed by critics of Nicki as "strategic queerness".[47] Fly Young Red went viral on YouTube for his song "Throw That Boy Pussy" in 2014. Other artists, such as Azealia Banks, Angel Haze, and Young M.A. have openly discussed their sexuality in their lyrics and expression of style.

Negative representation of women and homosexuality

Gender and sexual diversity among hip hop artists have existed since the genre's earliest days, yet it has historically and predominantly been perceived as the epitomized expression of Black straight male masculinity and culture, which are usually externalized as the degradation of women and homosexuality within the music and personified as a lifestyle outside the music.[48] In his 2006 documentary , Byron Hurt explores the nuanced relationships between hip-hop, masculinity, misogyny, and homophobia.[49] In the documentary Hurt travels around the country and interviews rap and hip hop artists, academics, and fans about their perceptions on these issues in the culture. After conducting dozens of interviews, Hurt sees a continued pattern of homophobia, the objectification of women, and the domination of other men, all linked as the means through which one asserts their masculinity over another.

Lauron J. Kehrer writes extensively on the prevalence and issues of misogyny/misogynoir and homophobia/lesbophobia faced by queer women hip hop artists in Queer Voices in Hip Hop: Cultures, Communities, and Contemporary Performance. The construction of this specific masculinity in hip-hop has made it difficult for artists who don't fit the stereotypical image of a hyper-masculine straight male to succeed. Some scholars have attempted to categorize different types of female hip-hop artists as a means of increasing their representation within the genre, such as Cheryl L. Keyes' formulation of the "Queen Mother", "Fly Girl", "Sista with Attitude" and "Lesbian" rapper archetypes in Empowering Self, Making Choices, Creating Spaces: Black Female Identity via Rap Music Performance.[50]

Some successful female artists, such as Nicki Minaj, have attempted to make space within the male-dominated genre by aligning themselves with stereotypical Black, hypermasculine hip hop traits in their music and performance. Another female artist, Jean Grae, subverts the Black straight hypermasculine male status quo by utilizing the language and lyrical presentation of male artists in the industry, as Shante Paradigm Smalls discusses in The Rain Comes Down: Jean Grae and Hip Hop Heteronormativity.[51] In Getting Freak with Missy: Missy Elliot, Queer Hip Hop, and the Musical Aesthetics of Impropriety, Elliott H. Powell discusses in detail the approach some female artists, such as Missy Elliott, take in hypersexualizing themselves and engaging in 'impropriety' to make space in the genre by centering herself and her sexuality over that of the male subject.[52]

However, Kehrer points out that all of the above examples "challenge but [do] not necessarily disrupt the status quo" of the Black, hypermasculine straight male within hip hop, unlike Black queer masculine female artists. The specific brand of female masculinity which these female artists embody is neither temporarily clad for performance nor is it undermined by heterosexuality or a traditional femininity. The categorization of female artists along the lines of Keyes' conceptualization, and the fact that Black queer masculine female artists disrupt the status quo in hip hop in the way Kehrer describes, both contribute to the hypervisibility/invisibility paradox that such artists face in the genre.

In his book Female Masculinity, Jack Halberstam writes that "widespread indifference to female masculinity...has clearly ideological motivations and has sustained the complex social structures that wed masculinity to maleness and to power and domination."[53]

Young M.A. is a prominent queer masculine rapper who exemplifies this dichotomy. As someone who embodies a natural female masculinity within the genre, her masculinity fits directly with the style of hip hop such that she doesn't need to fit herself onto it like feminine or heterosexual female artists must. Because this female masculinity threatens the predominant Black straight male hypermasculinity prevalent in hip hop, M.A. is often the target of harassment and abuse by male artists who attempt to undermine her legitimacy as a hip hop artist by sexualizing and objectifying her in the traditional ways feminine and heterosexual women often are.[54]

To combat this dismissal of her sexuality (i.e., an attempt to make her queer identity invisible), as well as the paradoxical but simultaneous hypervisibility she receives as a queer masculine woman rapper that elicits this abuse in the first place, she distances herself from the labels "lesbian rapper" and "woman rapper." She thereby carves out a space within the industry for her to exist and succeed as a queer masculine woman rapper without succumbing to expectations that she performs within the restrictive category of homo hop, nor is she compelled to perform in the same way her feminine and heterosexual counterparts are expected to in order to be taken seriously as authentic hip hop artists. As Kehrer writes: "The very delicate balance she achieves allows her queer identity to be seen while making it difficult for anyone to demand that she performs queerness on anyone else's terms but her own."

Syd, another queer masculine hip hop artist, has received significant backlash from the LGBT community for her refusal to identify with the term "lesbian". In an interview for The Guardian, she explains, "I don't feel like a part of the gay community. Like, I don't consider myself a lesbian."[55] She has also been criticized for her music video, "Cocaine," which is a cautionary commentary on the dangers of drug use, but which has been accused of depicting an abusive same-sex relationship between two women.[56] Some scholars argue that the criticisms Syd has experienced is a result of the unique tension between the cultural significance of the genre in Black culture and the homophobia which pervades the genre. This tension is exemplified by an example in Hurt's documentary, in which rapper Busta Rhymes walks out of his interview when he is asked a question about homophobia in the rap community, saying, "What I represent culturally doesn't condone [homosexuality] whatsoever."

Florida-born rapper Doechii, who identifies as bisexual, has spoken out about the misogyny and homophobia she has faced. In a 2022 interview with GQ Magazine, she stated that "I always knew that I was queer, and I was bisexual. But I didn't really feel comfortable talking about it, because nobody around me was gay." However, she declares that she aims to use her platform to challenge those attitudes. Doechii's music often reflects her queer identity, feminism, and experiences growing up as a Black girl in Tampa.[57]

Controversy over homophobic lyrics

Ice-T stated on his autobiography that record-label executive Seymour Stein took exception to a line in his song "409": "Guys grab a girl, girls grab a guy / If a guy wants a guy, please take it outside".[58] Ice-T later became one of the first rappers to condemn homophobia on raps such as Straight Up Nigga and The Tower in his album O.G. Original Gangster (1991).

Many songs by rapper Eminem have been considered homophobic for his frequent use of anti-gay slurs, especially the song "Criminal" from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), which contains lines like: "My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge, That'll stab you in the head, whether you're a fag or les', Or a homosex, hermaph or a trans-a-vest, Pants or dress, hate fags? The answer's 'yes'". In an interview with Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, Eminem denied being homophobic and explained the frequent use of the term "faggot" in his lyrics, that this word was "thrown around constantly" in battle rap, and that he does not use it to refer to gay people.[59]

The Marshall Mathers LP was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards 2001, which led to protests due to the album's controversial content. At the show, Eminem performed "Stan" with openly gay musician Elton John in response.[60] Eminem experienced more backlash in 2018, after he released his surprise album Kamikaze. On December 11, 2017, rapper Tyler, The Creator tweeted "dear god this song is horrible sheesh how the fuck",[61] which fans quickly realized was directed at Eminem's new single at the time, "Walk On Water". On the track "Fall" from Kamikaze, Eminem responded to Tyler, The Creator's criticisms, where he raps "Tyler create nothin', I see why you call yourself a faggot, bitch / It's not because you lack attention, it's because you worship D12's balls, you're sacreligeous".[62]

This is most likely in relation to Tyler's sexuality being a major spectacle within his fanbase, with a lot of his lyrics hinting at homosexuality.[63] Before the album was released, however, the slur was censored. Eminem joined Sway Calloway in a series of interviews after Kamikazes release, where he explained that he regretted using the slur against Tyler. "In my quest to hurt him, I realized that I was hurting a lot of other people by saying it. At the time, I was so mad, it was just whatever...", "...it was one of the things I kept going back to, going 'I don't feel right with this.'" Justin Vernon, who provided the chorus for "Fall", publicly condemned Eminem's language on the song, tweeting "Was not in the studio for the Eminem track... came from a session with BJ Burton and Mike Will. Not a fan of the message, it's tired. Asked them to change the track, wouldn't do it...".[64]

In 2020, Eminem released his album Music To Be Murdered By, in which he collaborated on a song with openly queer New York rapper Young M.A. In 2010, while being interviewed by Anderson Cooper for 60 Minutes, Eminem was challenged about his homophobic lyrics, to which he said: "The scene that I came up in, that word was thrown around so much. You know? 'Faggot', it was thrown around constantly to each other, like, in battling." When Anderson Cooper asked Eminem if he 'didn't like gay people', Eminem replied: "I don't have any problem with nobody [''sic'']."

The early work of rapper Tyler, The Creator was heavily criticized for homophobic lyrics. Goblin, in particular, was found by publication NME to have used homophobic language a total of 213 times throughout the course of the album.[65] One particular example was in the song "Tron Cat", where Tyler states: "Rashes on my dick from licks of shish-kebab sagets, in some Kanye West glasses screaming out, fuck faggots!" Tyler responded to these pieces in a later NME interview, stating: "I'm not homophobic. I just think 'faggot' hits and hurts people. It hits."[65]

Tegan Rain Quin of Tegan and Sara took particular issue with Tyler's lyrics on Goblin: "If any of the bands whose records are held in similar esteem as Goblin had lyrics littered with rape fantasies and slurs, would they be labeled hate mongers? I realize I could ask that question of DOZENS of other artists, but is Tyler exempt because people are afraid of the backlash? The inevitable claim that detractors are being racist, or the brush-off that not “getting it” would indicate that you’re “old” (or a faggot)?"[66] Tyler responded in a joking matter with the quote, "If Tegan and Sara need some hard dick, hit me up!"

In 2020, rappers Insane Clown Posse denounced past use of homophobic slurs in their lyrics, saying that, "We wanted to be like gangsta rap, and gangsta rap said it all the time," but "There was never a time when we had a problem with gay people."[67]

In the lyrics of one song on rapper Trick Trick's 2008 album The Villain, he refers to Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell as "dyke bitches" and says that he will send a "scud missile right through their fucking cruise ship". Trick-Trick expressed his dislike towards homosexuals in an interview with music site AllHipHop: "Faggots hate me and I don't give a fuck. I don't want your faggot money any goddam way."[68]

The phrase "No homo" is often used in today's hip hop lyrics and Black culture. It means "no gay things" or "nothing gay". One example of the term's usage is in the Jay-Z song, "Run This Town". Kanye West, one of the featured artists on the song, stated, "It's crazy how you can go from being Joe Blow / to everybody on your dick...no homo."[69]

Evolution

By the early 2010s, a new wave of openly LGBTQ+ hip hop musicians began to emerge, spurred in part by the increased visibility and social acceptance of LGBTQ+ people,[70] the coming out of mainstream hip hop stars such as Azealia Banks and Frank Ocean,[71] and the release of LGBT-positive songs by heterosexual artists such as Murs, Macklemore, and Ryan Lewis.

Although inspired and empowered by the homo hop movement, this newer generation of artists garnered more mainstream media coverage and were able to make greater use of social media tools to build their audience, and thus did not need to rely on the old homo hop model of community building. Many of these artists were also strongly influenced by the LGBTQ+ African American ball culture, an influence not widely seen in the first wave of homo hop, and many began as performance art projects and incorporated the use of drag.[72] Accordingly, many of the newer artists were identified in media coverage with the newer "queer hip hop" label instead of "homo hop".

In 2008, Jipsta released the single "Middle of the Dancefloor" which spent a total of 14 weeks (peaking at #6 for two consecutive weeks) on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. This achievement was noteworthy for LGBTQ+ hip-hop as it marked the first time an openly gay White rapper earned a Top 10 single on the Billboard Club Play chart.[73] The following year, Jipsta released a cover of the George Michael song "I Want Your Sex", which rose to the #4 position on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart in only 4 weeks time, resulting in the first Top 5 Billboard charting record by an LGBTQ+ hip-hop artist.[73]

In March 2012, Carrie Battan of Pitchfork profiled Mykki Blanco, Le1f, Zebra Katz and House of Ladosha in an article titled "We Invented Swag: NYC Queer Rap" about "a group of NYC artists [who] are breaking down ideas of hip-hop identity".

In October 2012, Details profiled several LGBTQ+ hip hop artists "indelibly changing the face—and sound—of rap". In the article, it discusses Frank Ocean, then member of the Odd Future collective. The California-born singer-rapper made waves when he came out as bisexual through an offhand missive on his Tumblr in July 2012. His revelation was seen as a significant moment for the LGBT community in hip hop, and it helped pave the way for greater acceptance of queer artists in the industry.[74]

In March 2014, New York rapper Le1f became the first openly-gay rapper to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman.[75] During the performance, Le1f rapped "Wut," a popular track from his EP Hey, while accompanied by a group of backup dancers, producer Moody, and Blood Orange.[76]

In March 2014, the online magazine Norient.com published a first overview of queer hip hop videos worldwide. The article talks about topics, aesthetics and challenges of LGBTQ+ hip hop in Angola, Argentina, Cuba, Germany, Israel, Serbia, South Africa and the USA."[77]

Increasingly, focus on the development of Queer voices in the international hip-hop community has gained more precedent with articles published looking at how Queer rappers use the art-form as a type of therapy. A Winter 2016 article from Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education looked at how utilizing the art-form helped challenge traditional notions of hip hop and sexual identity.[78]

In December 2016, Los Angeles-based rapper Thed Jewel, who raps "My skin is black, sexuality is Fuchsia" said: "There are a lot of rappers that are homosexuals and their day to be open with it will come one way or another".[79]

In August 2018, openly gay member of Brockhampton, Kevin Abstract voiced his efforts to change hip hop's issue with homophobia in an interview with the BBC by stating: "I have to exist in a homophobic space in order to make change and that homophobic space would be the hip hop community. So me just existing and being myself is making change and making things easier for other young queer kids".[80]

In June 2019, Lil Nas X, who performed the hit song "Old Town Road", took the opportunity to publicly come out during Pride Month, making him one of the most visible Black queer male singers to do so,[81] especially in country or hip hop genres, which emphasize machismo and "historically snubbed queer artists". Black queer male artists in hip hop gaining mainstream acceptance are relatively new—preceding Nas X by less than a decade—including Frank Ocean (with his 2012 album Channel Orange), Tyler, the Creator, ILoveMakonnen, Brockhampton frontman Kevin Abstract and Steve Lacy. Black queer female artists have been accepted more readily; while the underground queer hip hop movement goes back to the 1990s.[35]

In 2021, Chicago rapper Kidd Kenn made history as the first openly queer rapper to be broadcast in the BET Hip Hop Awards' yearly cypher. During his performance, his lyrics unapologetically discussed the realities of being a Black queer person within the music industry, rapping: "Kenn going up is the only way, Benjamin is my only bae, eat me up like I be on a plate, they hella mad, I’m hella gay."[82]

In June 2022, Teen Vogue covered American rapper Saucy Santana - who is both openly queer and feminine. In the interview, Santana discusses of his 2019 song "Material Girl", which ended up going viral on TikTok in late 2021. He also talks about his experience as a Black queer rapper, stating: “Before, I didn't want to be labeled a gay rapper," he recalls, "Then, in the middle of my career, I started to embrace it because I just felt like it was helpful to my culture and to my people.”[83]

Notable artists

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kehrer, Lauron J. . Queer Voices in Hip Hop: Cultures, Communities, and Contemporary Performance . 2022 . University of Michigan Press . 978-0-472-90301-6 . 34 . en . 10.3998/mpub.11306619.
  2. Web site: Davey . D. . July 14, 2002 . Gays & Hip Hop Refute the Stereotypes .
  3. News: Is hip-hop homophobia at a tipping point? . Guardian . May 10, 2011. May 10, 2011 . London . Alex . MacPherson.
  4. News: Odd Future Plays Secret L.A. Show . Wall Street Journal . May 13, 2011. May 13, 2011 . Todd . Gilchrist.
  5. Web site: From Eminem to Offset, an analysis of hip-hop's history of homophobia. Garcia. Marcelo. January 28, 2018. Highlander. en-US. May 7, 2019. May 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190507052149/https://www.highlandernews.org/31887/eminem-offset-analysis-hip-hops-history-homophobia/. live.
  6. News: A gay man is making the most anticipated album of the year. Julious. Britt. June 24, 2016. Esquire. March 16, 2017. March 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170311204128/http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a45986/lgbt-gay-rappers-hip-hop/. live.
  7. Web site: Is British Rap Finally Going to Have a Gay Hip Hop Scene? . Jones . Shanna . August 7, 2014 . Noisey . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150225054637/http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/blog/uk-gay-rappers . February 25, 2015.
  8. "Homo Hop". Studio 360, June 26, 2009.
  9. Web site: Underground fruit gangstas: uncovering the hidden subculture of homo-hop music . Ornberg . Emily . September 10, 2012 . The Columbia Chronicle . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611164918/https://columbiachronicle.com/abbc9655-0882-5347-a174-cce31d3cb553 . June 11, 2023.
  10. News: Eminem speaks out in favour of gay marriage . The Guardian . June 18, 2010 . Michaels . Sean .
  11. https://www.today.com/today/amp/wbna37759634
  12. Web site: A History of Rappers Standing up for Gay Rights . .
  13. Web site: Thank You, Frank Ocean. July 4, 2012. Life+Times. en. May 7, 2019. April 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190420221544/http://lifeandtimes.com/thank-you-frank-ocean. live.
  14. Web site: Watch Kanye West Get Upset About Homophobia in Hip-Hop, 10 Years Ago . Alexis . Nadeska . August 20, 2015 . . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160214232938/https://www.mtv.com/news/2247128/kanye-west-mtv-interview-2005-sway-homophobia/ . February 14, 2016.
  15. Web site: XXXTentacion Starts 'F*ck the KKK!' Chant at Revenge Tour Show. Complex Networks.
  16. Web site: Jack Harlow Defends Lil Nas X Against His Haters: 'Fuck's Wrong With You?' . Cummings-CAdy . Mackenzie . April 4, 2022 . HipHop DX . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220404182021/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.69281/title.jack-harlow-defends-lil-nas-x-against-his-haters-fucks-wrong-with-you#signup . April 4, 2022.
  17. Web site: Kendrick Lamar Gets Praise For His Support Of The Trans Community On 'Auntie Diaries'. May 13, 2022 .
  18. UN Names Macklemore "Equality Champion". Grow. Kory. November 26, 2013. Rolling Stone. en-US. February 5, 2019. February 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020223/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/macklemore-and-ryan-lewis-join-united-nations-lgbt-equality-campaign-248570/. live.
  19. Alridge. Derrick P.. Stewart. James B.. 2005. Introduction: Hip Hop in History: Past, Present, and Future. The Journal of African American History. 90. 3. 190–195. 10.1086/JAAHv90n3p190. 20063997. 140377377. 1548-1867.
  20. News: Snowden . Don . Rap Night at the O.N. Klub (Almost) . 20 April 2023 . LA Times.
  21. Web site: Glossary - Fight Back . Age of Consent Rap . 20 April 2023.
  22. Web site: September 18, 2012. Hip-Hop's History Of Homophobia (LIST). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170417071533/https://globalgrind.com/1889805/hip-hops-history-homophobia-list-videos/. April 17, 2017. May 12, 2017. GlobalGrind.com.
  23. Clay. Andreana. 2008. "Like an Old Soul Record": Black Feminism, Queer Sexuality, and the Hip-Hop Generation. Meridians. 8. 1. 53–73. 10.2979/MER.2008.8.1.53. 40338911. 197656722. 1536-6936.
  24. Web site: Stallings . L.H. . October 22, 2023 . Mutha' Is Half A Word .
  25. Web site: Kanye West Addresses Hip-Hop's Homophobia In 2005 Interview MTV News. YouTube. August 20, 2015 . May 7, 2019. April 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190410073944/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp45-dQvqPo. live.
  26. Book: Reiss . Jonathan . Look at Me! . October 9, 2018 . Hachette Books . 978-0-306-84541-3 . 97 . 27 January 2022 . March 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308165658/https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/jonathan-reiss/look-at-me/9780306845413/ . live .
  27. Web site: Eminem admits he went 'too far' with homophobic slur about Tyler, the Creator . Ryder . Taryn . September 14, 2018 . Yahoo . en-US . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829143654/https://www.yahoo.com/news/eminem-admits-went-far-homophobic-slur-tyler-creator-175926711.html . August 29, 2022.
  28. Crowley . Patrick . 2018-09-14 . Eminem Admitted He Went 'Too Far' With Homophobic Slur — Here's What He Should Do Next . 2022-08-29 . Billboard . en-US.
  29. Web site: ago . Music-4 years . 2018-09-14 . Eminem Reveals Tyler, The Creator Diss Was Because Tyler And Earl Sweatshirt Criticized His Music . 2022-08-29 . Okayplayer . en-US.
  30. Web site: Crabtree . Erin . 2018-09-14 . Eminem: I Thought Using a Homophobic Slur 'Might Be Too Far' . 2022-08-29 . Us Weekly . en-US.
  31. Web site: Lewis . Miles Marshall . May 16, 2022 . Kendrick Lamar Wrote a Pro-Trans Song. Here's Why It's Controversial. . May 31, 2022 . Slate Magazine . en.
  32. Web site: Haney . Taylor . May 19, 2022 . Kendrick Lamar's new song 'Auntie Diaries' divides the LGBTQ+ community . April 18, 2023 . NPR.
  33. Wilson. D. Mark. 2007. Post-Pomo Hip-Hop Homos: Hip-Hop Art, Gay Rappers, and Social Change. Social Justice. 34. 1 (107). 117–140. 29768425. 1043-1578.
  34. Smalls. Shanté Paradigm. Queer Hip Hop: A Brief Historiography. The Oxford Handbook of Music and Queerness. January 2018.
  35. Web site: Homo Hop is dead, Queer hip hop is the real deal . Woo . Jen . March 12, 2013 . Gay Lesbian Professional Network . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130317020626/http://dot429.com/articles/1645-homo-hop-is-dead-queer-hip-hop-is-the-real-deal . March 17, 2013.
  36. Web site: Hip-Hop's Great Gay Hope: Rainbow Noise . Soderberg . Brandon . April 1, 2011 . Spin . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170828014915/https://www.spin.com/2011/04/hip-hops-great-gay-hope-rainbow-noise/ . August 28, 2017.
  37. Binder. Kevin. 2013. Homophobic Hip-Hop Music and Its Effect on Attitudes Toward Homosexuality. 82. Google Scholar. May 7, 2019. August 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170818232550/https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/98862/kbinder.pdf?sequence=1. live.
  38. Stephens. Vincent. 2005. Pop Goes the Rapper: A Close Reading of Eminem's Genderphobia. Popular Music. 24. 1. 21–36. 10.1017/S0261143004000261. 3877592. 45080116. 0261-1430.
  39. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/move-over-gangstas-here-comes-homo-hop/article1016639/ "Move over, gangstas: Here comes homo-hop"
  40. News: Thomas . Devon . 'Homo-Hop' Has a Say . Newsweek . PK - 54 . July 12, 2004 . November 19, 2008 . October 6, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081006210807/http://www.newsweek.com/id/54373?tid=relatedcl . live .
  41. Web site: "Makin' Music with Cazwell". Rage Monthly, August 10, 2012. . February 25, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150225061903/http://www.ragemonthly.com/2012/08/10/makin-music-with-cazwell/ . February 25, 2015 . dead .
  42. http://www.nbcmiami.com/blogs/niteside/Rapper-Cazwell-on-Hip-Hop-And-The-Gay-Community-105733728.html "Rapper Cazwell Opens Up About Being Gay in Hip Hop"
  43. Web site: December 7, 2017 . The Acceptance of Women & LGBTQ Artists in Hip-Hop . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190507080958/https://www.ballerstatus.com/2017/12/07/end-mans-game-acceptance-women-lgbtq-artists-hip-hop/ . May 7, 2019 . May 7, 2019 . BallerStatus.com . en-US.
  44. Web site: March 31, 2015 . Queer Rap is Not Queer Rap - Pitchfork . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180913112722/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/712-queer-rap-is-not-queer-rap/ . September 13, 2018 . September 13, 2018 . pitchfork.com.
  45. http://austinist.com/2012/11/01/new_orleans_bounce_is_a.php "Drop It Hot Potato Style: An Interview with Nicky Da B"
  46. Smith . Marquita R. . May 27, 2014 . "Or a Real, Real Bad Lesbian": Nicki Minaj and the Acknowledgement of Queer Desire in Hip-Hop Culture . Popular Music and Society . en . 37 . 3 . 360–370 . 10.1080/03007766.2013.800680 . 0300-7766 . 191477923.
  47. Shange . Savannah . 2014 . A king named Nicki: strategic queerness and the black femmecee . Women & Performance: A Journal of Feminist Theory . 24 . 1 . 29–45 . 10.1080/0740770X.2014.901602 . 191486577.
  48. Book: Kehrer, Lauron J. . Ebook of Queer Voices in Hip Hop: Cultures, Communities, and Contemporary Performance . 2022 . University of Michigan Press . 978-0-472-90301-6 . en.
  49. Web site: A daring look at hip-hop . Zurawik . David . February 20, 2007 . Baltimore Sun . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070222195256/http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bal-to.hiphop20feb20,0,735815.story?coll=bal-features-headlines . February 22, 2007.
  50. Keyes . Cheryl L. . 2000 . Empowering Self, Making Choices, Creating Spaces: Black Female Identity via Rap Music Performance . The Journal of American Folklore . 113 . 449 . 255–269 . 10.2307/542102 . 542102 . 0021-8715.
  51. Paradigm Smalls . Shanté . January 2011 . "The Rain Comes Down": Jean Grae and Hip Hop Heteronormativity . American Behavioral Scientist . en . 55 . 1 . 86–95 . 10.1177/0002764210381730 . 0002-7642.
  52. Getting Freaky with Missy: Missy Elliott, Queer Hip Hop, and the Musical Aesthetics of Impropriety . Powell . Elliott H . 2021 . Journal of Popular Music Studies . 33 . 3 . 145–167 . June 11, 2023 . 10.1525/jpms.2021.33.3.145 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130150057/https://online.ucpress.edu/jpms/article/33/3/145/118557/Getting-Freaky-with-MissyMissy-Elliott-Queer-Hip . November 30, 2022. free .
  53. Book: Halberstam, Jack . Female masculinity . 1998 . Duke University Press . 0-8223-2226-9 . Durham . 39235591.
  54. Web site: Kodak Black's Trolling Forces Young M.A to Respond . 2022-12-01 . Complex . en.
  55. Web site: 2019-04-13 . The Internet's Syd: 'I'm the only person like me that I know' . 2022-12-01 . The Guardian . en.
  56. Web site: 2017-05-30 . Syd: 'The backlash from the gay community hurt my feelings' . 2022-12-01 . The Guardian . en.
  57. Web site: Dolan . Rebecca . 2022-10-03 . Doechii is persuasive . 2023-04-18 . British GQ . en-GB.
  58. Book: Marrow . Tracy . Century . Douglas . Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption—from South Central to Hollywood . 2011 . Random House . 978-0-345-52328-0 . 100–101 .
  59. Web site: Eminem Discusses Homophobic Lyrics With Anderson Cooper- News - Towleroad. https://web.archive.org/web/20121024025240/http://www.towleroad.com/2010/10/eminem-discusses-homophobic-lyrics-with-anderson-cooper.html. dead. October 24, 2012. October 24, 2012. December 24, 2017.
  60. Web site: Elton John Defends Eminem Against Charges Of Homophobia. Cavan. Sieczkowski. March 24, 2017. December 24, 2017. Huff Post. December 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171221205205/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/elton-john-eminem-homophobia_us_58d519ace4b03787d3573e58. live.
  61. Web site: November 14, 2017. Tyler The Creator Disses Eminem Says "Walk On Water" Is Trash. March 27, 2021. Urban Islandz. en-US. January 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117230613/https://urbanislandz.com/2017/11/14/tyler-the-creator-disses-eminem-says-walk-on-water-is-trash/. live.
  62. Web site: September 14, 2018. Eminem Reveals Tyler, The Creator Diss Was Because Tyler And Earl Sweatshirt Criticized His Music. March 27, 2021. Okayplayer. en-US. November 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111211851/https://www.okayplayer.com/music/why-did-eminem-diss-tyler-the-creator-on-fall.html. live.
  63. Web site: November 23, 2018. Tyler the Creator has been 'coming out' as gay or bisexual for years and no-one cared. March 27, 2021. The Independent. en. January 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122144302/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/tyler-creator-gay-bisexual-coming-out-scum-fuck-flower-boy-lyrics-i-ain-t-got-time-twitter-garden-shed-a7834751.html. live.
  64. Bon Iver's Justin Vernon Says 'We Are Gonna Kill' Eminem Track With Homophobic Slur. March 27, 2021. Billboard. August 31, 2018. en. November 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111203220/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8473189/eminem-fall-homophobic-slur-bon-iver-justin-vernon-tweet. live.
  65. Web site: Martin . Daniel . 2011-06-16 . Tyler, The Creator: 'My gay fans don't find my language offensive' . 2023-02-21 . NME . en-GB.
  66. Web site: 2011-05-13 . a call for change . 2023-02-21 . Tegan and Sara . en-US.
  67. Web site: We've Got A File On You: Insane Clown Posse . Breihan . Tom . May 18, 2020 . Stereogum . October 4, 2021.
  68. Web site: U.S. Rapper Trick Trick Tells Gays Not to Buy His Homophobic Album - Towleroad. November 12, 2008. Towleroad.com. May 12, 2017. September 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032623/http://www.towleroad.com/2008/11/us-rapper-trick/. live.
  69. Web site: No Homo? Hip-Hop and Homophobia (Park 1) . November 4, 2009 . May 16, 2021 . August 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200814164521/https://www.glsen.org/blog/no-homo-hip-hop-and-homophobia-part-1 . live .
  70. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/09/zebra-katz-rise-of-gay-rappers "Zebra Katz, Mykki Blanco and the rise of queer rap"
  71. http://davidatlanta.com/2012/08/hip-hops-bustin-closet/ "Hip-Hop's Bustin' out the Closet"
  72. http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/8793-we-invented-swag/ "We Invented Swag: NYC's Queer Rap"
  73. Jipsta - Chart history . Billboard . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613124359/https://www.billboard.com/artist/304736/jipsta/chart . June 13, 2018.
  74. http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/music-and-books/201210/hip-hop-queer-pioneers "Hip Hop's Queer Pioneers"
  75. Web site: Madden . Sidney . October 9, 2022 . Here Are Hip-Hop Artists Who Embrace Being Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual . April 25, 2023 . XXL.
  76. Web site: Hughes . Josiah . March 14, 2014 . Le1f "Wut" (ft. Blood Orange) (live on 'Letterman') . April 25, 2023 . Exclaim.
  77. http://norient.com/video/queer-hip-hop-worldwide/ "Queer Hip Hop Clips From 8 Countries"
  78. Adam J.. Kruse. 2016. "Therapy Was Writing Rhymes": Hip-Hop as Resilient Space for a Queer Rapper of Color. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education. 207–208. 101–122. 10.5406/bulcouresmusedu.207-208.0101. 10.5406/bulcouresmusedu.207-208.0101.
  79. News: Newcomer: Los Angeles-based rapper Thed Jewel shared debut track "Fuchsia". December 21, 2016. HighClouds. en-US. December 21, 2016. December 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161222052521/http://www.highclouds.org/newcomer-los-angeles-based-rapper-thed-jewel-shared-debut-track-fuchsia/. live.
  80. News: Blake. Jimmy. The rapper taking on hip hop's 'homophobic space'. August 31, 2018. BBC News. April 16, 2020. en-GB. February 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217232857/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-45366918. live.
  81. Web site: Kennedy. Gerrick D.. July 31, 2019. Lil Nas X came out, but has hip-hop? A macho culture faces a crossroads. August 1, 2019. Los Angeles Times. en-US. ...d one would be hard pressed to not find a gay slur embedded in the lyrics of any of the genre's most famous architects. In fact, an entire lexicon dedicated to pointing out discomfort with gay men has permeated rap lyrics. Slang such as "sus" and "No homo" and "Pause" that use queerness as a punchline have been thrown around casually for years.. August 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190801002057/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-07-30/lil-nas-x-black-queer-men-hip-hop. live.
  82. Web site: McKenzie . Zachary . 2023-04-04 . The Kidd's Got It . 2023-04-18 . OutSmart Magazine . en-US.
  83. Web site: 2022-06-07 . Saucy Santana Is Ready for His Superstar Era . 2023-03-01 . Teen Vogue . en-US.
  84. Web site: Get to Know 070 Shake, G.O.O.D. Music's Shape-Shifting Secret Weapon. Pitchfork. July 23, 2018 . en. January 30, 2020. July 26, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190726220405/https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/get-to-know-070-shake-good-musics-shape-shifting-secret-weapon/. live.
  85. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-11-05/entertainment/bal-push-and-slay-abdu-ali-finds-his-voice_1_kendrick-lamar-asap-rocky-baltimore-city-college "Push and slay: Abdu Ali finds his voice"
  86. http://www.fuse.tv/2014/05/lgbt-gay-rappers-hip-hop-artists#5 "12 Must-Know LGBTQ Hip Hop Acts"
  87. Web site: Simon. Mashaun D.. Hearts A- Phyre': African-American Organizers Want to Make First Black Gay History Week an Annual Event. Southern Voice. February 16, 2007. July 2, 2008. November 6, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071106122447/http://southernvoice.com/2007/2-16/locallife/feature/6530.cfm. live.
  88. Web site: Ellis. Anye. Gay 101 Honors: In The Margins. Gay 101 Honors. June 24, 2008. July 2, 2008. July 8, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110708040145/http://gay101honors.blogspot.com/. live.
  89. Jesse Locke, "Montreal rapper Backxwash invokes self-altering fury" . Daily Xtra, May 25, 2020.
  90. Nika. Colleen. Q&A: Azealia Banks on Why the C-Word Is 'Feminine'. Rolling Stone. October 12, 2018. September 10, 2012. October 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181027131725/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/qa-azealia-banks-on-why-the-c-word-is-feminine-181176/. live.
  91. Web site: bali baby makes cathartic emo rap about queer heartbreak . Fulton . Nick . May 18, 2018 . I-d . en-us . October 8, 2018 . October 8, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181008175143/https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/xwmdxq/bali-baby-baylor-swift-red-bull-music-festival-interview . live .
  92. News: Life Tips with BbyMutha. February 28, 2018. Office Magazine. November 20, 2018. en. November 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181120135818/http://officemagazine.net/life-tips-bbymutha. live.
  93. http://www.out.com/entertainment/michael-musto/2014/03/10/rapper-big-dipper-wont-sleep-with-fans-bryan-cranston-broadway "Bear Rapper Big Dipper: I Won't Sleep With My Fans"
  94. http://www.afropunk.com/profiles/blogs/free-download-interview-big-momma-goes-hard-on-infectious-lp-the "Free Download + Interview: Big Momma Goes Hard on Infectious LP 'The Plague'"
  95. http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2012/08/brooke_candy_theme_music_freaky_princess.php "Meet Brooke Candy: Rapper, Stripper, Warrior"
  96. Web site: Burke. Minyvonne. D. Smith Explains Why She Wanted To Share Her Story As A Transgender Woman On 'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta'. International Business Times. IBT Media Inc.. May 8, 2016. April 14, 2016. May 19, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160519221906/http://www.ibtimes.com/d-smith-explains-why-she-wanted-share-her-story-transgender-woman-love-hip-hop-2354031. live.
  97. Web site: Ho. Rodney. Talk with D Smith first transgender cast member on 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta'. AJC.com. Cox Media Group. May 4, 2016. May 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160517021033/http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2016/04/11/talk-with-d-smith-first-transgender-cast-on-love-hip-hop-atlanta/. live.
  98. Da Brat Discusses Why She Came Out After More Than 20 Years. . June 3, 2020. November 8, 2023.
  99. News: Chonin. Neva. Hip to homo-hop: Oakland's D/DC fuses gay and black identities with eyebrow-raising rhyme. San Francisco Chronicle. PK - 54. December 16, 2001. November 19, 2008. December 20, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081220050524/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F2001%2F12%2F16%2FPK231895.DTL. live.
  100. News: Callwood. Brett. Kidd Kenn and Delli Boe Are At it Again. June 21, 2022. LA Weekly. April 18, 2023.
  101. Book: Sharma. Nitasha Tamar. Hip Hop Desis: South Asian Americans, Blackness, and a Global Race Consciousness. 2010. Duke University Press. Durham and London. 48, 158. May 9, 2016. 978-0822392897.
  102. News: Dolan. Rebecca. Doechii is persuasive. October 3, 2022. GQ. February 28, 2023.
  103. Web site: Rice . Lilyanne . Doja Cat sexuality explained: She is bisexual . StylesRant . 12 October 2021.
  104. Web site: Pedia . Today News . Is Doja Cat Bi? Unpacking Doja's Evolving Sexual Identity and LGBTQ Community Backlash . Medium . en . 7 September 2023.
  105. July 18, 2018. Drebae Interview: Femme, Queer Rapper Insists 'I Deserve to Exist After Pride Month'. July 5, 2020. Billboard. July 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200705223230/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8466075/drebae-interview-queer-rapper-pride-month. live.
  106. Web site: Gay Rapper Fly Young Red Discusses Career & Girls vs Boys [Video]]. Robert. Longfellow. April 12, 2014. hiphopwired.com. November 25, 2016. November 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161125112439/http://hiphopwired.com/2014/04/12/gay-rapper-fly-young-red-discusses-career-video/. live.
  107. News: Frank Ocean Interview: Happy To Wake Up Without 'This Freakin' Boulder On My Chest'. August 19, 2012. Instinct Magazine. July 21, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120820105640/http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/frank-ocean-interview-happy-to-wake-up-without-this-freakin-boulder-on-my-chest?directory=100011. August 20, 2012.
  108. Web site: Hip Hop Homos : Overview Logo Online . October 24, 2020 . February 19, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100219172716/http://www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/hip_hop_homos/series.jhtml . live .
  109. Web site: Fong . Gigi . Ice Spice Details How Her Music Transcends Gender . Hypebae . June 13, 2023 . 3 December 2023.
  110. Web site: Atlanta rapper iLoveMakonnen comes out as gay on Twitter. Herdandez. Greg. January 20, 2017. Gay Star News. en. January 23, 2017. July 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730154350/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/atlanta-rapper-ilovemakonnen-comes-out-as-gay-on-twitter/. live.
  111. Web site: 2022-04-17 . Isaiah Rashad Acknowledges Apparent Outing for the First Time at Coachella 2022 . 2023-03-03 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  112. "The Dark Knight Rises." The Challenge: Rivals II. MTV. July 24, 2013. Television.
  113. Rapper Jipsta Returns After Surviving Anti-Gay Hate Crime, Talks Support From RuPaul, Willam & Pandora Boxx. Billboard. August 3, 2017. September 13, 2018. September 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913153455/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/7889674/jipsta-rapper-returns-support-rupaul-ban2oozle. live.
  114. Web site: Gross. Dan. January 9, 2008. VIP Party Boys to visit Tyra. October 24, 2020. Philadelphia Inquirer. en-US. October 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201027074031/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/hp/talk/20080109_Dan_Gross___VIP_Party_Boys_to_visit_Tyra.html. live.
  115. Web site: Interview With Jonny McGovern . AfterElton.com . Karman . Kregloe . May 14, 2007 . August 12, 2012 . November 18, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121118104037/http://www.afterelton.com/people/2007/5/jonnymcgovern . live .
  116. Web site: BiNetUSA. 2019. BiNet USA. binetusa.blogspot.com. May 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191230183343/http://binetusa.blogspot.com/2019/09/jubas-binet-vp-and-thefayth-returns.html. dead. December 30, 2019.
  117. Sawyer, Terry, "Queering the Mic", Pop Matters, March 18, 2004, accessed November 7, 2009
  118. News: Beaumont-Thomas. Ben. August 6, 2020. Kate Tempest announces they are non-binary, changes name to Kae. August 7, 2020. The Guardian. en. August 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200807001734/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/aug/06/kate-tempest-announces-they-are-non-binary-changes-name-to-kae. live.
  119. Web site: Kaytranada Is Reaching 100%. . Alex. Frank . April 5, 2016. May 5, 2016 . April 6, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160406064538/http://www.thefader.com/2016/04/05/kaytranada-album-interview-99-percent . live.
  120. News: Kehlani Clarifies Her Sexuality Once and for All: I'm Queer. April 23, 2018. E!. July 15, 2018. July 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123554/https://www.eonline.com/news/929431/kehlani-clarifies-her-sexuality-once-and-for-all-i-m-queer. live.
  121. News: How Many Times Does Kevin Abstract Need to Rap About Being Gay?. DJBooth. April 30, 2018. en. May 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004732/https://djbooth.net/features/2017-08-22-kevin-abstract-rapping-about-being-gay. live.
  122. Web site: ReImagined At Home: Kidd Kenn's "Old Town Road" Cover Tips Its Cowboy Hat To Lil Nas X's Country Trap Classic . . en . August 24, 2022 . April 13, 2023 .
  123. Web site: Introducing rapper and alum K.Flay . December 6, 2010 . December 25, 2019 . December 25, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191225232932/https://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/12/06/introducing-rapper-and-alum-k-flay/ . live .
  124. LGBTQuestionnaire: Get To Know Alt-Pop Rebel K.Flay . Daw . Stephen . April 23, 2021 . Billboard . June 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124200245/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/lgbtquestionnaire-k-flay-interview-9561849/ . January 24, 2022.
  125. Logan Cartier, "Pierre Kwenders et les subtilités de l’amour". Fugues, July 26, 2022.
  126. Web site: Theo . Bark . Lady Sovereign Comes Out in Lesbian Magazine . The Boombox . May 17, 2010 . January 30, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130710082844/http://theboombox.com/lady-sovereign-comes-out-in-lesbian-magazine/ . July 10, 2013 . live .
  127. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/10/too-gay-for-hip-hop-le1f-takes-on-traditionally-homophobic-genre.html "Too Gay for Hip-Hop? Le1f Takes On Traditionally Homophobic Genre"
  128. Web site: Is Lil Darkie gay? A closer look at his sexuality. StylesRant. May 17, 2021 . en-US. May 17, 2021.
  129. News: Lil Nas X Comes Out on Last Day of Pride Month. The New York Times. July 2019. en-US. July 1, 2019. July 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190701161600/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/arts/music/lil-nas-x-c7osure.html. live. Jacobs. Julia.
  130. Web site: Lil Peep Reveals He's Bisexual - XXL. XXL Mag. August 8, 2017 . en-US. August 10, 2017. August 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170809002609/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/08/lil-peep-bisexual/. live.
  131. Web site: Rapper Lil Peep comes out as bi on Twitter. Dan. Tracer. August 9, 2017. September 13, 2018. August 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170810092354/https://www.queerty.com/rapper-lil-peep-comes-bi-twitter-20170809. live.
  132. Web site: Tenbarge. Kat. How an internet comedian pivoted to a career in music with in-your-face gay rap that has teens traveling for hours to see his shows. October 25, 2020. Insider.
  133. Web site: Montreal Musician Lucas Charlie Rose Explains the Politics of Appearing in Trans Photo Series. October 5, 2015. December 5, 2019. February 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170219032331/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/montreal-musician-lucas-charlie-rose-explains-the-politics-of-appearing-in-trans-photo-series. live.
  134. News: Collins. Hattie. Megan Thee Stallion Is Giving Away Money, Going Make-Up Free, & Recording A New Album During Self-Isolation. April 17, 2020. British Vogue. May 20, 2024.
  135. News: Bloodworth. Adam. The Queer British Rappers Rising Above Hip Hop Homophobia. June 9, 2020. Huffington Post UK. April 18, 2023.
  136. Web site: The Multiplicities of Mykki Blanco. April 4, 2012. Interview Magazine. Alex Chapman. April 11, 2016. April 8, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160408085335/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/mykki-blanco#_. live.
  137. Web site: Oliver Twixt is bringing queer Black Boy Joy to hip-hop. October 24, 2020. Music. en-us. October 2, 2017. October 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031010222/https://music.avclub.com/oliver-twixt-is-bringing-queer-black-boy-joy-to-hip-hop-1844059996. live.
  138. News: Caramanica. Jon. August 28, 2020. 'WAP' Is Good, Raunchy Fun. On TikTok, It's at Home.. The New York Times. live. September 2, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901044936/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/arts/music/wap-cardi-b-megan-thee-stallion-ppcocaine.html. September 1, 2020. 0362-4331.
  139. Web site: How Princess Nokia Achieved the 'Gay New York Dream' . . en . October 2, 2017 . October 27, 2020 . November 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111195510/https://www.out.com/music/2017/10/02/how-princess-nokia-achieved-gay-new-york-dream . live .
  140. Web site: Bendix . Trish . Samantha Ronson: "I'm Not Gay. I'm an Equal Opportunity Player." . After Ellen . March 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130315173717/http://www.afterellen.com/blog/trishbendix/samantha-ronson-im-not-gay-im-an-equal-opportunity-player . March 15, 2013 . July 4, 2010.
  141. Web site: Saucy Santana Reveals the Key to Making LGBTQ Artists Go Mainstream: 'Keep Banging Down the Door'. January 22, 2022 . CheatSheet. January 22, 2022.
  142. Web site: Scott . Timberg . How Saul Williams found courage: "Prince and Bowie liberated me as an artist to be queer" . . San Francisco, California . June 2, 2016 . October 15, 2016 . October 14, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161014075944/http://www.salon.com/2016/06/02/how_saul_williams_found_courage_prince_and_bowie_liberated_me_as_an_artist_to_be_queer/ . live .
  143. Web site: The Times-Picayune. Alison. Fensterstock. New Orleans Jazz Fest gets shaking with Big Freedia and Sissy Nobby at Congo Square. October 28, 2020. NOLA.com. May 2011 . en. October 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031025454/https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/festivals/article_63b460cd-ffd5-53b6-803d-0e98b8ec9f0b.html. live.
  144. Web site: Página/12 :: No . December 5, 2019 . December 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205222604/https://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/suplementos/no/12-8445-2016-03-17.html . live .
  145. Web site: Sasha Sathya: Nuestra MIA. March 18, 2018. December 5, 2019. December 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205222600/http://latfem.org/sasha-sathya-nuestra-mia/. live.
  146. Web site: Transtorta: Sasha Sathya en el marco de SATII por primera vez en Uruguay . December 5, 2019 . December 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205222551/http://www.cce.org.uy/musica/transtorta-sasha-sathya-en-el-marco-de-satii-por-primera-vez-en-uruguay . live .
  147. Web site: She Proposed... (Story Time). YouTube. May 4, 2020. April 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200427233336/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p6Z4oBRbPY&gl=US&hl=en. live.
  148. News: Radner . Ronni . Magic Man . Out Magazine . October 2005 . November 15, 2018 . November 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181116000903/http://www.socetew.com/out.htm . live .
  149. News: Solomon to Head to NYC for Shade 45 Show. OutHipHop.com. June 2008. October 27, 2020. July 15, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110715022531/http://www.outhiphop.com/main/2008/6/4/solomon-to-head-to-nyc-for-shade-45-show.html. live.
  150. Web site: Frank . Alex . Men: Steve Lacy — FANTASTIC MAN . Fantastic Man . August 25, 2018 . August 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180827075435/http://www.fantasticman.com/men/steve-lacy . live .
  151. Web site: Odd Future's Syd the Kyd Joins The Internet. Domanick. Andrea. January 12, 2012. L.A. Weekly. May 9, 2019. May 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190509234810/https://www.laweekly.com/music/odd-futures-syd-the-kyd-joins-the-internet-2173623. live.
  152. Chance The Rapper's Brother Taylor Bennett Reveals He's Bisexual. Billboard. January 19, 2017. September 24, 2017. October 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171001224001/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7662331/taylor-bennett-bisexual-chance-the-rapper-brother-twitter. live.
  153. Web site: NewBlackMan (in Exile): DeepDickollective Co-Founder Tim'm West on Frank Ocean . November 7, 2019 . January 5, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140105084315/http://newblackman.blogspot.com/2012/07/deepdickollective-co-founder-timm-west.html . live .
  154. Web site: Titica . Okay Africa . December 14, 2018 . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141239/https://100women.okayafrica.com/articles/2018/2/28/titica . live .
  155. http://www.queermusicheritage.us/apr2007s.html Tori Fixx interview, Queer Music Heritage radio show, April 2007
  156. Web site: Baltimore gay rappers are loud and proud. Brandon. Weigel. The Baltimore Sun. June 13, 2012 . September 13, 2018. August 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180815213655/http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bs-b-gay-hip-hop-20120611-story.html. live.
  157. Web site: July 11, 2017. Tyler the Creator has been 'coming out' as gay or bisexual for years and no-one cared. The Independent. October 2, 2020. June 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200605135638/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/tyler-the-creator-gay-bisexual-coming-out-scum-fuck-flower-boy-lyrics-i-aint-got-time-twitter-garden-a7834751.html. live.
  158. Web site: Murray. Daisy. August 17, 2017. Tyler The Creator Is The Latest Male Celebrity To Reveal He's Bisexual. ELLE. October 2, 2020. February 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180201152529/http://www.elleuk.com/life-and-culture/culture/news/a37860/tyler-the-creator-is-the-latest-male-celebrity-to-reveal-he-is-bisexual/. live.
  159. Web site: Tyler the Creator Likes Girls But 'Ends Up F**king Their Brother' . Rude . Mey . November 20, 2019 . Out . June 11, 2023 . January 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210126034609/https://www.out.com/music/2019/11/20/tyler-creator-likes-girls-ends-fking-their-brother.
  160. News: Willow Smith Comes Out: 'I Love Men and Women Equally'. Henderson. Taylor. June 25, 2019. Pride.com. June 26, 2019. September 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190908190858/https://www.pride.com/comingout/2019/6/25/willow-smith-comes-out-i-love-men-and-women-equally. live.
  161. Web site: Interview by Jim Buzinski in outsports.com interview: Will Sheridan talks about being gay and a basketball player and now a role model . October 27, 2020 . May 22, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110522160051/http://www.outsports.com/os/index.php/component/content/article/54-coming-out-stories-that-have-appeared-on-outsports/377-will-sheridan-talks-about-being-gay-and-a-basketball-player-and-now-a-role-model . live .
  162. News: Young MA: 'Music is where I'm going to speak about my sexuality'. Dionne. Evette. June 15, 2017. The Guardian. April 10, 2019. en-GB. 0261-3077. February 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210215075447/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/15/young-ma-music-is-where-im-going-to-speak-about-my-sexuality. live.
  163. Web site: Young MA rapper comes out as a lesbian: 'I just need to be myself'. PinkNews. February 8, 2017. UK. April 17, 2019.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "LGBT representations in hip hop music".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.