Random Question: Will A Black Gay Male Superstar Ever Break Through?



Note: this pic is not intended to throw tea or shade about MJ's orientation. Just an example of the level of success I'm talking about! Plus it's a cool pic lol!


This question came to me after reading Rolling Stone's top 10 Queen of Pop list (a list where Madonna sat at number one, where she rightly belongs. But I digress). One of the 'queens' on the list was none other than Ms. Elton John herself. Now while we can debate whether or not Sir Elton belongs on this list (after I think the editors meant queen as in woman, but, hey the fans voted!), it got me to thinking: Will there ever be a time when an openly gay, black male artist will infiltrate the mainstream to the point where he could be considered a contender for such a list? Do you feel that American pop culture is ready for a black gay male superstar in the vein of Elton, George Michael or Adam Lambert? Do you think the mainstream pop audience, the larger black community, and we as a black LGBT community are at the point where we would embrace such an artist? Yes I know we have the legendary and fabulous Sylvester, but I'm talking Prince/Michael Jackson-level, pop culture icon status.

After all, it's easy to pop and snap along with Beyonce, Ri Ri, Janet and the rest of the diva brigade: they're glamorous, flamboyant and larger-than-life, and they fit into preconceived notions of what a female artist should be. But would we be as quick to support a male artist singing songs about loving and sexing another man? Showing affection in videos and bumping and grinding with other guys onstage? Walking the red carpet with their lover and talking about their relationships in interviews? Or would that be "too gay" for some of us?  Lastly, out of all the LGBT artists bubbling underground at the moment (B. Slade, Kaoz, etc.) which do you believe have a realistic chance of blowing up?

Discuss.

Kurt Weston's "Blind Vision"

With tomorrow marking the 30 anniversary of the AIDS epidemic, CNN posted an interesting article about artist and photographer Kurt Weston's "Blind Vision" a series of stark self-potraits created with tinsel and foam meant to illustrate his feelings about losing his sight due to retinitis. Living with HIV since the early 80's, Weston was diagnosed with full-blown AIDS in 1991 after a bout of pneumocystis pneumonia, a common infection in AIDS patients. Cytomegalovirus retinitis, another known complication, took away his sight in 1993.

The former commerical fashion photographer decided to funnel his frustration into art. "You can see my hand gesturing as if I kind of want to wipe away the obstruction in front of my vision," he told CNN. "That was my way of wanting to illustrate the desire to get rid of that obstruction in my vision."

You kind of have to take a warrior mentality," he says of living with AIDS. "I'm not going to let these things beat me. I'm not going to let these things cheat me out of the life I want to have."

Read the full CNN article HERE, and view more of Weston's work below and at his official site.

Imma Homo

But enough about me....I'm talking about the track "Imma Homo," the ultra-gay posse cut by Rainbow Noise, a record label that specializes in "GLBTQ music artists with mainstream appeal." The video has become quite the viral hit around hip hop and black gossip websites, with posts on Bossip and World Star Hip Hop (along with the requisite blasts of homophobic comments). Spin did an interesting article on the song and gay hip hop and general, so I thought I'd give my two cents.

My thoughts: musically the track is nothing special. It features the same production used in most club/party rap right now: a repetitve, distorted voice for the hook and skittering 808 drums n' bass. Meanwhile the flows are entertaining, from the mid-90's sped-up rapping style that seems to have been spontaneously resurrected to the currently ubiquitous punchline flow (Pull the pink 22/ Joker face). Other standout lines include "I beat the pussy up, call me Dyke Turner," "Feet kicked up with a blunt/Watchin' Logo" and "Next time you see in me in the club/Don't forget the butt plug." But ultimately there's no classic verse or line I could see being listed in a top ten list.

But even with all that said, I can't to stop replaying it. Even though it comes off as kind of a generic rap song, save for the fact that all the MCs are gay, it's...actually..kinda...hot. Honestly, it's been hard trying to get behind most of the pro-gay hip hop, more commonly known as "homo hop," over the years, simply because the music wasn't very good, from a lyrical or production stand point. It's great that people are willing to come out and be themselves, but compared to "straight" hip hop (and let's just assume for the sake of this post that all these rap gurls are straight:), it often came off as corny and stagnant. Out of all the LGBT artists I heard of any genre, the only names I can think of that could be genuine, mainstream pop stars are Ari Gold, Kaoz and B.Slade.

Maybe the reason why "Imma Homo" works is because it's getting out the message (being gay is ok) without coming across as excruiatingly boring. Or perhaps it's in the attitude. Rainbow Noise don't go out of their way to be politically correct, with either the language (plenty four letter words and N-bombs are dropped) or the subject matter (the track is an homage to that time honored hip hop tradition---macking hoes).

Part of what makes hip hop great is its rebellious, "fuck you, I'm doin' me" attitude," and "Imma Homo" taps into that spirit perfectly. But that poses another dilemma: should we as LGBT folks nod our heads to lines like "How many niggas do you know that gotta tell them hoes to stop" and "I don't own her/ I encourage all my niggas to get on her," just because they're coming out of a lesbian's mouth? We cry misogyny whenever Lil Wayne, Wacka Flocka, Rick Ross or any other male rapper spits such lines. Should we hold Rainbow Noise to the same standards, even if they are helping to increase the openly gay and lesbian presence in rap music? Are LGBT artists truly progressing and finding a voice in hip hop (or mainstream pop music in general, which is what most rap is these days) by imitating their straight counterparts in attitude and lyrical content, albeit with a gay undercurrent?
Watch the video below and discuss.

B. Slade: The Interview

Yes fellow space cadets, I'm a man of my word. After a month or two of playing e-mail tag I finally managed to snag an interview with B. Slade. It's pretty lengthy so I had to break it up into three parts, but it's a very good Q&A if I do say so myself:).

B. Slade talks about everything--from  preparing to play late disco icon Sylvester and the enduring magic of the Jacksons to the slightly scary influence of David Bowie's Labyrinth  and Grace Jones. The singer also sounds off organized religion, closeted gospel artists, suicide among gay teens, being a role model and why Patti Labelle is "beyond beast." Here are few quotes from the interview:

On the Seventies-inspired sound of Stereotype:

"The Seventies to me was quite frankly the best music...there was something that was little bit more intrinsic about the Seventies. The chord structure, the changes, the heart, the lyrical content. You really had to have raw talent. You really had to have a perspective."

On Sylvester:

"He was a nonconformist. And he was fabulous in everything he did."

On the Jac5son Magic Mixtape and Janet & Michael:

"Michael of course was the epicenter of that whole family earthquake, but the aftershock, literally was Janet. They've had a major influence. Certain songs were more for Mike. But my allegiance and my biggest artistic influence as an artist has been Janet Jackson. Hands down."

On whether other gospel artists will come out:

"There are not many cut out to do what I did. A lot of people's complete career is built off of a perception, or an illusion...it's not for everyone."

On the current state of the black church:

"People are starting to see that the leaders of these religions are just as fallible, if not more, than its subjects. Now because of current events, things keep popping up that are forcing the black church to deal with issues that have been very prominent all along. I'm really interested to see how this is all going to play out."

On being an openly gay artist in the music industry:

"I think the majority of the people in the industry respect truth. As maniacal as the music industry can be, they can't fuck with the truth."

Update: All of B. Slade's commercial releases--The Jack5on Magic Mixtape, Gospop and Stereotype--have been removed from the singer's bandcamp page. According to an official website statement:

"To welcome in 2011, B.Slade is currently in a MAJOR career transition and wishes to thank everyone for their support and interest. Summer of 2011 will reveal exciting news & informtation. As of now B.Slade is focusing on his acting career & international securities. STAY TUNED."

For those who need a hit of B. Slade before then, the singer has released a new single called "Kaleidoscope," which is available on his bandcamp page. Listen to all three parts of the interview below:

New B Slade Bitches!

B Slade continues his prolific output of music with the one-two punch of Gospop, released on Christmas, and Stereotype:Collector's Edition, which was released today. I don't know how he does it. I mean when does he sleep lol? However, unlike his previous Jackson Magic and A Brilliant Catastrophe series, these albums do cost coins to download. You can still listen to the full albums over at B Slade's bandcamp page however. I swear I'll interview him sometime in 2011 lol!

New Music: B Slade Sings The Jacksons!

I know what you're thinking. Damn that was fast! After releasing A Brilliant Catastrophe's Beta version less than a month a go, B Slade is coming out with another mixtape, this time in tribute to the Jacksons, specifically Michael and Janet. Dance Floor Arsonist: The Jack5on Magic Mixtape contains vocal homages to MJ that are almost scary in their similarity to the late King Of Pop, as well as covers of Janet classics like "Got Til It's Gone" and "Rhythm Nation." Listen to a few tracks below:

New Music: B Slade "Kick" Ft. Ohene

B Slade throws another musical curveball on this track, trading in the ferocious rock and rage of "BSSF(Rated R)" for smooth jazz stylings and 40's harmonies, mixing them with his trademark bold, uninhibited lyrics. And as usually the result is sublime. Listen to the track below and download it here:

Review: B Slade: A Brilliant Catastrophe

It's certainly been an interesting journey for B Slade, the artist formerly known as Tonex. Last year he became the first gospel singer to come out of the closet, a decision that effectively ended his working relationship with the mainstream gospel music industry. However, with wardrobes consisting of multi-colored mohawks, furs, scarfs and platform boots, and music that varied from R&B jams to electronica-inspired pop, B Slade never fit the mold of a traditional gospel star. Even Kirk Franklin never strayed that far from the format.


A Brillant Catastrophe is anything but a subdued affair, containing splashes of funk, R&B, pop, house, soul and gospel, and hip hop. The album's opener and title track finds the singer in an experimental mood, with the music gliding easily between smooth soul and tribal beats, while B Slade sings a few lines from Soul II Soul's classic "Back To Life." The ecstatic "FREEDOM," full of triumphant, choir-powered background vocals, and rolling bass, simultaneously channel gospel and  funk.

On the too short "One Love" the singer gives an idea of the constraints of growing up a preacher's kid. "Never had the chance to live or breath/Never had the chance to be free/ The microscope/Almost made my family lose hope."

"Going Away,"  with its bright chord progressions, also recall the singer's church roots. Meanwhile guest rapper Mom criticizes the current church establishment, a place with the "Same sermons/Same altar to prayer line/Same sick folks actin' like they feel fine." "I told the truth and look at where it got me/ Excommunicated, labeled with hypostacy," he raps. The traditional church is portrayed as a place where duplicity and betrayal have replaced compassion.

On we go/To a place where there's still nonbelievers" B Slade wails on "On We Go," backed by old-school harmonies that morph into hard knock hip hop. On this track as well as several others, the lyrics suggest a call to spiritual revolution, be it on an individual or mass level, breaking down archaic traditions and journeying into unknown territory.

A trio of ballads bring the focus to matters of the flesh.  The other-worldly "Back," full of loopy samples, synthesizers, sparse drums and eerie minor keys, sets the perfect atmosphere for B Slade to a spin tale of love drama, crafting lyrics that are brutally honest and comically sharp. "You had the best of me/My secret recipes/I gave them all to you and you used them on him/You bastard." In case the ex-lover doesn't get the picture, B Slade makes it crystal clear: "The thought of you makes me limp." On the flip side, the robotic "Tempo" gets its heat from the singer's trademark falsetto, heavy breathing and spoken word, with lyrics full of sexy double entendres.

B Slade ends the album on an upbeat note, ripping through a fantastic nine-minute cover of Sylvester's disco classic  "Mighty Real" and the frenetic house track "Get Over You,"which references the best of late 70's/early 80s dance music. With A Brilliant Catastrophe, B Slade crafts an album that liberates both the mind and the body.

4.5/5

LGBT Artist Spotlight: B Slade

B Slade, the gospel artist formerly known as Tonex, has new alter ego and a brand new swag, epitomized in his clip for "Get Over You," from his A Brilliant Catastrophe mixtape. All I can say is that I'm in looooove with this track. It's like the spirit of Sylvester, the grand diva herself, invaded B Slade's body and has taken over! Rocking a straight long perm and serving much attitude, the video incorporates clips from the classic 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning. B Slade will definitely be an artist to watch. Expect a full review of A Brilliant Catastrophe soon. Watch the video below:

Darryl Stevens: "Envious Moon"

Darryl Stevens, a.k.a Noah from Noah's Arc (damn I miss that show), is now venturing into music with his first song "Envious Moon," which he wrote and composed the music for, according to Rod 2.0. The song has cool, laid back vibe to it, the kind of stuff tailor made for late night listening. Take a listen below:

LGBT Artist Spotlight: Kele

Since Bloc Party declared itself on hiatus last year, member Kele has stepped out onto the solo platform with his debut The Boxer, released in June. Kele's solo material has taken a decidely more synthesized, dancier direction than his work in Bloc Party's. Which is all good for me. The dancier the better I say. Kele, who came out in a magazine interview with Butt Magazine a few years back, is also one of the few openly gay black male (emphasis on male:) artists of any genre, a fact he sees as important in showing the diversity of the gay community. "If I’d have had someone saying it’s okay to be you when I was a teenager, I’d probably be a very different person. That is why I’m doing this now, after years of not doing it. It’s good to show that gays come in all shapes and sizes.” Anywho, take a listen to a few tracks and watch the "Tenderoni" video below:

Tenderoni by KELE

Everything You Wanted by KELE

The New Rules by Kele



*This is crossposted from my blog Indies And The Underground (Shameless self-promotion is the name of the game lol:)

LGBT Artist Spotlight: Kaoz

Many an editorial has been written about whether an openly gay rapper could ever reach mainstream success. Rapper and spoken word artist Kaoz could be the one who breaks through. Kaoz pulls no punches in his music, tackling addiction ("White Girl") homophobia ("Boy Next Door 2010") and relationships with powerful poetry and nimble rhyme play. Kaoz is probably the first gay emcee that I feel like I want listen to into instead of someone I should listen to (i.e. I support him because he's an out artist even though I'm really not feeling the music) Kaoz has a couple of free downloads at his official website and you can stream the entire EP here. Listen to a few tracks off his Tyler Durden EP below: