Hip hop has always been a genre pioneered by marginalised groups in society. It has its origins in providing a voice for disenfranchised black youth, giving them an outlet to vent about the realities and hardships of their lives.
Hip hop has hardly been known for its intersectionality, though (that is, while it might focus on the struggles of young black men, it often does so to the detriment of other marginalised groups). Tyler, The Creator has almost single-handedly furthered hip hop’s anti-feminist, homophobic cause, but while he might be the loudest (and the most loudly protested), he’s not alone.
In spite of this hostile environment, intersectional hip hop has emerged, proving that the genre can still be for the marginalised and not just Kanye “I Am A God” West (someone hurry up with his damn croissants). Consider this your guide to some of the best queer hip hop out there (and no, I’m definitely not talking about Macklemore – Frank Ocean is closer, but still too obvious).
Le1f
Le1f (pictured above)is developing a pretty huge following as far as niches go. He’s sassy, can vogue like nothing else, and loves Australia, having been here at least three times in the last two years. He’s coming back in January in support of his new album, Riot Boi, out next Friday November 13. Le1f is unashamedly queer – his latest hit, ‘Koi’, (which has over 250,000 hits on YouTube) is about basic boys who are far inferior to his swag approaching him in nightclubs. He also sits on the lap of a greased-up guy wearing a Pikachu mask in the video for his breakout hit, ‘Wut’.
Mykki Blanco
Mykki Blanco also loves Australia, rejects gender norms, and is a proud activist (and writer) as well as a rapper. She performs in boxing shorts and girly wigs, boxer shorts and flower crowns, or whatever she damn well feels like. Proudly and openly HIV positive, Blanco was arrested in Portugal last year, apparently for “being gay”.
Donchristian
DonChristian Jones is a proudly queer member of the hip hop collective Camp and Street, alongside Le1f. His songs are slick and smooth, and all available for free download.
Angel Haze
I stumbled across Angel Haze in 2013, when I went to a festival with Haze on the bill as well as Azealia Banks. Banks cancelled, while Haze’s flight was delayed so late they ended up having to get a plane from the airport direct to the stage, “And I’m still fuckin’ here!” Haze ended up picking a girl out of the crowd, bringing her onstage, and at the end of the show, leading her backstage. Smooth. Haze is openly pansexual and agender, and raps in explicit detail about an abusive past – don’t listen to ‘Cleaning Out My Closet’ if you’re squeamish.
Cakes Da Killa
Cakes Da Killa, like Le1f and Mykki in particular, isn’t afraid to call out homophobia, which seems incredibly brave in an industry that essentially uses ‘faggot’ as a verbal crutch. Cakes has been to Australia a few times, in support of Le1f and on his own. Like others in the genre, he’s questioned the necessity of ‘queer hip hop’ being separated from regular hip hop, saying: “I came out in the third grade. This is just me being me.”
House Of Ladosha
The House Of Ladosha collective came to Sydney in 2013 in support of Le1f with Cakes Da Killa, and headlined the Goodgod Minceteria as part of Vivid earlier this year. Slotting perfectly into the Sydney queer scene (alongside fabulous queens Slé), they helped provide the perfect antidote to the stifling vanilla flavour that Vivid has started to leave in the mouths of Sydneysiders.
Junglepussy
Junglepussy released her first mixtape last year, and her debut album was announced in August this year (a release date hasn’t been announced). The clip from the first single ‘Now Or Later’ features her, only slightly ironically, lovingly stroking some kale.
Bucking (or fucking) the misogynist trend of hip hop, these artists are queering rap, and reigniting interest in it as a result.
This Week…
Speaking of rap, this Thursday November 5 you can get your fill of glitter rap at Brighton Up Bar with Simo Soo, also featuring Zsa Zsa LaFine, Marky Vaw, B00bjob, Flexmami and Moonsign. Don’t know what glitter rap is? Neither do I, but apparently it sounds like if The Powerpuff Girls were into black metal.
Saturday November 7 is when the next big marriage equality rally takes place in Sydney, starting at Sydney Town Hall at 1pm.New PM, new fight; head along and tell Turnbull a plebiscite is bullshit. After that, head to the Chippendale Hotel for a summer psych-out soiree from the House Of Mince, featuring Jake Blood, Hysteric, Annabelle Gaspar and others.
Sunday November 8 is the annual Newtown Festival. Expect lesbians, dogs, and lesbians with dogs.
