The intersection of queer and Caribbean is an interesting place to live. Despite facing its own set of unique, layered challenges, it’s a thriving community full of vibrant expression. Toronto-based dancehall artist Lexxicon knows this all too well.
Born in Jamaica, before moving to the United States and eventually finding his way to Toronto, the singer recently released “Batty Man Party,” a dancehall anthem that, like any other song in the genre, is reminiscent of house parties and cookouts. Despite its fun beat and catchy tempo, the Toronto artist explained that real struggles inspire his latest track.
“The inspiration is a celebration for all the queer Caribbean people that have been excluded by current Caribbean music,” the singer told Queer & Now.
In a press release for the song, Lexxicon explained that the term “batty man” has historically been used in Caribbean circles as a derogatory, homophobic term to describe queer people. However, he says the term is being reclaimed by queer Caribbean people as “a way to define the internal turmoil we have experienced over the years of not being able to fully be ourselves.”
While It’s been over 30 years since the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from the international classification of diseases, there are countries around the world that criminalize homosexuality. That includes Lexxicon’s mother country, Jamaica.
In addition to state persecution, homophobic and transphobic violence is widely reported in many Caribbean countries. Rainbow Railroad is an organization that helps 2SLGBTQ+ people fearing for their safety due to their gender or sexual identity find somewhere safe to settle. Last year, the organization reported having received over 2,000 requests for help from people living in Jamaica since 2006.
With this lack of acceptance, it’s rare to find media that reflects the experiences of queer people living in the Caribbean. Something Lexxicon hopes to change.
“Reggae and dancehall music have not been the most inclusive, and [this song] is basically just taking a stance and claiming space that is for us because we are Caribbean too so we deserve to be part of it.”
“Batty Man Party,” has garnered success online, with fans urging the Toronto artist to produce more dancehall anthems that speak to queer experiences. But it has also seen some backlash.
“If you see the video, there’s all the typical ‘You’re not Jamaican,’ and ‘This is not Jamaican culture, you should burn up and die,’ or ‘Come down here and I’ll kill you’ kind of comments,” he shared.
“It’s still sad that like, you know, you can’t be a part of your community just because you’re queer,” he shared. “And like, they’re just like, ‘No, you don’t belong with us. We don’t accept you. We don’t want you here. We actually don’t want you to live really.’”
GROWING UP CARIBBEAN AND QUEER
Lexxicon explained that despite these negative attitudes being devastating, self-love and caring for his mental health have allowed him to persevere. However, he shared that maintaining good mental health has been a struggle at times in his life. With factors like being closeted in a Carribean family and being religious at play, he has overcome many challenges to find self-love.
“Hearing those comments [about queer people] and knowing what their thoughts or feelings were, especially being like, from a religious Caribbean family as well, there’s all those other layers on top of it. You basically have to be somebody else, because they don’t want you to be who you are. Because it’s not accepted and not allowed.”
He shared that developing his own relationship with God was an important part of healing from the trauma of growing up in this environment.
“I believe that God will love me and I don’t believe that rhetoric that [queer people are] not loved by him. After I got to that place… I can move forward with loving myself and being OK with other people’s differences in opinion.”
He shared that his own family’s reaction to him coming out was “as expected, but not as bad as it could have been.”
“It was like, ‘We’re not going to talk about this, but we’re not going to disown you.’”
“I just need [them] to know, acknowledge it, and then just continue to treat me as you know, as family. I’m good,” the singer explained.
FILMING ‘BATTY MAN PARTY’ IN TORONTO
Released four weeks ago, the visuals for “Batty Man Party” were shot in Toronto. Despite being known as a city filled with queer communities and creativity, Lexxicon explained that he did face some unique challenges as a Jamaican artist working on a queer-centric project.
“There were other people that are part of the [2SLGBTQ+] community but weren’t OK with being in the video because they weren’t fully out. Or other people that do represent Caribbean culture, and have worked with queer people, but didn’t want to work on this because it was so like, super queer,” the singer explained.
“So, that surprised me. Even in, you know, Toronto, where we’re all like, you know, more accepting than other countries, still some people had that [hesitation] because of their Caribbean roots.”
Lexxicon said this served as a wake-up call that the work he is doing as an out-and-proud queer artist is crucial as queer Caribbean communities deserve representation.
“Because like, clearly, if I don’t make [music] like this we’re just gonna continue all having this level of like, fear of like doing anything and being ourselves,” he continued.
“I’m hoping there’s gonna be more dancehall artists that are going to either come out or start creating music too so that it can be not necessarily as much of a taboo thing,” he explained, adding that he is taking the heat in hopes that future queer Caribbean artists don’t have to.
ADVICE FOR QUEER CARIBBEAN YOUTH
Lexxicon shared advice for young Caribbean people who are scared to share their queer identity with their families.
“There are people out there that will love you and support you the way you may have wanted your family to, and they can still be your family.”
“It’s going to suck. But you are going to find your people. And you are going to have fun, and you are going to be able to enjoy a full, exciting life,” the Toronto artist shared with a smile.
Dubbed a queer dancehall project, Lexxicon’s album, Pink Fraternity, is slated for release on August 16.
