When Queen Latifah was booked to perform at a Pride festival in Long Beach, California, in May, word spread that the hip-hop legend would finally put the rumours to rest and come out.
“That definitely wasn’t the case,” she said later in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “I’ve never dealt with the question of my personal life in public. It’s just not gonna happen.”
She added that she’s played gay clubs since the beginning of her career, a point that highlights queer audiences’ long-standing love of hip-hop despite the genre’s history of homophobia.
Lately, more straight-identified MCs have acknowledged the existence of closeted MCs and vocalized their support for gay marriage, though it’s the press rather than the music industry that seems most interested in raising those issues.
Meanwhile, earlier this year pop star Adam Lambert became the first out gay artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, a reminder that major labels aren’t investing in out queer talent in any genre, much less rap.
On the flip side, queer partiers haven’t always welcomed urban musicians. During last year’s Pride, hip-hop DJ collective Yes Yes Y’All were heckled during their mainstage set, and the ensuing media coverage exposed a racist undercurrent in Toronto’s gay music scene.
Fortunately, the increased number of hip-hop events taking place during this year’s Pride suggests that queers are getting over their wariness. Last week, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre held its first Work It! party, billed as “Church Street’s first-ever queer hip-hop showcase.”
At least 10 other hip-hop-centric events are scheduled during the fest, some more hip-hop than others. After all, the hip-hop and queer worlds share a remarkable ability to absorb a wide variety of musical influences, styles and voices.
Thursday (June 28)
88 DAYS OF FORTUNE
Seattle-based neo-soul/rap duo THEESatisfaction headline the musical collective’s third anniversary party at CineCycle (129 Spadina). See preview on page 50.
RYE RYE
The Baltimore club MC supports her debut LP, Go! Pop! Bang!, with an opening gig for Scissor Sisters at Sound Academy (11 Polson).
BOUNCE
Queen Diva of New Orleans bounce music Big Freedia returns alongside New York-based DJ Brenmar and local rap duo Roney & Nani at the Drake Underground (1150 Queen West).
Friday (June 29)
LOL BOYS
Montreal’s LOL Boys bring their Dr. Dre-influenced dance beats and R&B re-edits to promoters Mansion’s warehouse party at the Amsterdam Brewery (21 Bathurst). Future bass producer RL Grime will be on the decks.
BIG PRIMPIN
Now in its ninth year, the west end’s original hip-hop monthly for homos keeps the hits coming at Wrongbar (1279 Queen West) with DJs Nino Brown, Phil V, Dionne and yours truly.
Saturday (June 30)
YES YES Y’ALL
Fresh from opening for Yelawolf, Toronto-based identical twins A-Game bring their T-Minus-produced jams to the queer hip-hop monthly’s Pride party at the Annex Wreckroom (794 Bathurst). Producer/MC Tasha the Amazon, YYY Crew and DJ JR Flo share the bill.
HOTNUTS
The Garrison’s (1197 Dundas West) neo-drag party welcomes Christeene, an Austin-based drag queen MC described as “a sexually infused sewer of live rap and vile shamelessness.” If you think Peaches is too politically correct, Christeene is your gal. Lineup also includes DJ JJ Booya, Das Hussy and Produzentin.
CHERRY BOMB
DJs Denise Benson and Cozmic Cat’s annual ladies-centric blowout at Revival (783 College) features a performance by rock-rapper Urvah Khan and rap-, reggae- and R&B-heavy sets courtesy of DJs Leticia Love and Sticky Cuts.
Sunday (July 1)
BLOCKORAMA
R&B star Keshia Chanté headlines the Blackness Yes committee’s all-day event on the TD Wellesley Stage. Voguers House of Monroe, 88 Days of Fortune, MC Jazz and dance troupe Ill Nana also perform.
GO HARD
Ubiquitous gay scene DJ Blackcat caps off a busy weekend with his third annual Go Hard Pride piss-up at Goodhandy’s (120 Church) along with DJs Unruly Twin, JJ Rock and Pleasure.
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