Hip-hop; the epitome of hyper masculinity often characterized by images of violence, degradation of women and hostility toward gays and lesbians. As a rule adopted by the urban youth, hip-hop music has gained a degree of acceptance with mainstream fans covering the demographic tables in all directions.
Now, an offshoot of
calgary hip hop diversity often called "homo hop" or "gay hip hop" is standing at the door of the ordinary acceptance and strong hitting. Openly gay hip hop artists must confront and overcome the homophobia exists within the music industry while running the risk of being characterized only by their sexual orientation from the most important of all, talent.
Who, What, When, Where and How Homo / Gay Hip Hop
"I invented the term" homo hip "as a joke, go out with a little homiesexuals in Oakland in 1999" says the artist Tim'm Western music. In his reflection on the evolution of the term, he added that as more openly LGBT artists have continued to perform, as a "unique identifier to gather and mobilize the community" was used, hence the current daily use of the term "homo hip hop" or just "gay hip-hop."
West adds, "Unfortunately, journalists get a hold of your" joke "and run with it. Suddenly, people are referencing homo hop, like it was a whole new genre of music, whereas if fact, it's like hip-hop other, but just made, product , etc. .. by LGBT / SGL people who are out of the closet as gays, lesbians, bi, queer, trans, SGL. "
According to the family Phat, an international organization of artists, writers and fans who want to explore issues related to hip hop music, culture and LGBT identity, describe it a little differently. "Homo Hop is not a question of infiltration or the integration of hip-hop, but by getting involved in elements of hip-hop with ourselves full.
Homo hop is hip-hop came down to its essence: the brutal expression of the individual and collective identity and sexuality. Hop Homo's just another generation of b-boys and b-girls who keep it real and say fuck you to those who would censor or control the expression of our "states organization.
In fact the mainstream hip-hop artists were known for their inflammatory words which at one time had become the standard expected of artists such as DMX, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg just to name a few.
With such hateful words of violence and denial, it makes you wonder why the LGBT community would embrace the kind of hip-hop music at all? Could it actually be a cry for acceptance ordinary, like how the black community tends to embrace gay gospel artists homophobic and ant-gay religious congregations?
Are LGBT hip hop fans actually attracted to the need for a more general acceptance that the music itself? Well the answer may be made in a 2000 article written by Guy Trebay which was published by the Village Voice entitled "Homo Thuz Blow Up The Spot".
Trebay interviewed Mark Tuggle an outreach coordinator who said "I'm not necessarily pro lyric. Hip-hop overall supersedes the lyrics. You have to remember where people come. How can we expect hip-hop artists to embrace a sexuality they were not taught We have all been miseducated as a society about sex at least hip-hop is based on male-male love -?. the crew, the cast - and that appeals to our sense of art, poetry, and masculinity. "
Thus the appeal of hip-hop tends to be the common point of the community, urban anxiety, shared a degree of masculinity, and an emotional bond of brotherhood that attracts fans both gay and straight. Listeners can relate to this general theme, rhythm, and messaging that speaks to music on their own personal experience or an experience in which they deeply empathize with. And since the imagery and terminology of the word "gay" is often considered weak or effeminate, he is instantly seen as opposed to the masculine image and rugged hip-hop and then immediately rejected.
Therefore, there is a love-hate relationship with hip-hop regarding LGBT fans, and the birth and growth of homo / gay hip-hop. During the decade a few dozen openly gay hip-hop artists have dared to go where others in the music industry have only dreamed up going, out of the closet. Tim'm West Fix Torri, Cashaun, El-Don, Exodus, Miss Silver, Aaron-Carl, Dickollective deep Punk of Da South, and dozens of others, both in America and Europe have intensified to the plate, put their own money down, and self-produced and marketed much of their own works.
Anyway, it seems, LGBT artists and hip-hop kind of gay are standing exactly where ordinary hip-hop artists and genre once resided. Thus, the questions: what is the next step and when is it?
Gay Hip Hop Radio Bring Attention Mainstream
He dishes the truth shamelessly full of filthy words, four letters of reality interspersed with slamming rhythms of hip-hop gravel pushed into your face. He has the spirit of Wendy Williams, the ease of Urban Tom Joyner tinged with the flavor of determining gross oozing through his pores.
His name is DJ Baker, host of the line "Da Doo-Dirty Show" radio program. For two hours, five days a week, we hear the latest news within the LGBT black community. In recent LGBT issues in the black music, fashion and relationships, all can be heard on this revolutionary new show. DJ Baker actually sharing the same intimate details of his life from his addiction rose from his HIV status combined with the ups and downs of his dating life.
"I feel I must share my life with listeners because I want listeners to understand that they are not alone. We all have a similar experience, so us share. I'm always complaining that I have not the confidence to talk to guys, but with this show, I hope to improve my confidence with my listeners. I want a relationship with my listeners. Do not go forward ... will be as honest as possible. You have to be honest for honesty in return, "Baker explains.
Listening to "Da Doo-Dirty Show" for at least two weeks now, it can indeed become very addictive, listening daily in a quasi-real time. You can always get the latest developments of the day dealing with Baker in a blunt, matter of fact detail. The result is a highly polished program that can compete with some of the most successful syndicated radio in urban markets across the country.
The show's music is of course due to both public and LGBT hip hop artists as well. It's fresh, it's his basement, and it is also in general, but more importantly, it reaches listeners in the very heart of who and what they are.
"The goal of the show is to offer a platform and medium for gay artist coming to promote their projects whether art, music, literature, film, or dance. This will not only home to the gay hip hop, but hip-hop in general. The integration of hip-hop at all levels, from the basement, popular, and gay yeah hop hop. The only expectation I might have on this show is for him to succeed in equality through music and talk "Baker says.
You would think he would have a staff fully equipped studio at his disposal, but in reality DJ Baker meticulously assembles each component by the radio itself.
"I save my sight - .. Fri 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This includes all drops edits, and voiceovers The actual time it takes to save the program, then download it, it's 4 am The more I watch it more easy. gets, because I have a method now. "
Baker as radio continues to grow, so will the focus on LGBT hip-hop. These are indeed exciting times and revolutionary for the LGBT community as it is witnessing a transformation of thought, sound and music.
Music festivals and documentary shine the light of awareness
This is a gathering of "family" and those who support the LGBT hip-hop. Oakland, New York, and the United Kingdom each have an annual gathering of lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer hip hop artists, activists and supporters, fans to celebrate their presence in hip-hop. Each event features live music, DJs, spoken word, dance and art.
The original World Homo Hop Festival PeaceOUT held in Oakland, California in August 2001 and became an annual tradition organized by Juba Kalamka Sugartruck recordings. The Middle PeaceOut in New York is organized by Shante Paradigm.
PeaceOUT UK is Europe's first gay hip hop festival. Organized by Pac-Man and gayhiphop.com The event will focus on the provision of live performances by rappers, singers and scratch DJs in the gay hip-hop scene, most include other aspects of hip-hop culture such as beatboxin breakin and graffiti.
In addition to festivals together, now the big screen starting to see fresh new pictures gays hip-hop artists. A daring documentary entitled PICK UP MIC is literally sweeping festivals that tell the story once incalculable homo hip artists.
It was filmed over a period of three years beginning with his crew of big and medium cities from New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, Houston, Minneapolis and Madison, Wisconsin artist captures LGBT issues dealing rehearsals, interpretation, and struggling with the deepest feelings dealing with homophobia, gender identification, and suicide
According to promotional materials, "Pick Up The MIC has over a dozen contemporary hip-hop artists, representing a remarkable range of ethnic and sexual diversity. Shot over three years, the film traces the intertwined relationships the San Francisco underground music scene of the early 90s through performances as recently as 2005. "
Additional information http://www.pickupthemic.com, states that the documentary "reveals the artists and producers who attempt to express their lives through hip-hop - a medium from which they often feel alienated because of its widespread misogyny and anti-gay rhetoric. But their stories resonate far beyond the music industry and queer communities, reminding us all of the surprising resilience of the human spirit. "
So could music festivals and a documentary on hip hop gay really the key to breaking down barriers, stereotypes and providing the path of tolerance and diversity? Well, the simple fact that the history of hip hop is gay documented and recorded and that the movement is celebrated around the world in large rooms and small indicates that there is continued growth ahead. The genre has room to grow and what we could be witnessing the genesis from the apex of hip-homo.
Is A Hip Hop Artist ever LGBT Cross Over?
Everyone watches and waits. Can or will be an openly gay hip hop artist ever managed to cross into the mainstream? And why the public straight kissing a gay artist?
"Finally, someone is going through It's inevitable. Like white, or female leaders entered the game with relative success in a genre dominated by black (perceived) male straight As to why people would be straight listen to hip-hop artist gay.? Because music is good and the artist is gifted lyrically. For example, I no longer straight hip-hop fans as gay, "says Tim'm West.
DJ Baker accepted enthusiastically, "Hell yeah, but I do not know. Have we forgotten in the Boy George and RuPaul on the world. Just a different time and different kind. To me, they would have to be someone who should be able to earn the respect of hip-hop community in general. The largest exhibition of these artists receive more you get into music, and you are not concerned about what he or she sleep with or love.
I can not predict where and who but the formula is the same for Homo Hop Reggeaton as it was for. Can we all remember a time when radio and television have not played a hip-hop? This is a fight and if you asked me to look for artists Punk Of Da South, Tori Fixx, Deadlee and Goddess. We will see, and Da Doo-Dirty Show will be there all the way. "
Only time will tell who, when, where and how a hip-hop artist will compete openly LGBT in crossover into the mainstream. But since history has a way of repeating itself, we can live with the assurance of knowing that the envelope of the company will indeed be pushed further and potentially be ripped to reveal a whole new area of diversity, tolerance and the creative talent to come.
