MIC CHECK 1,2

5 Gay Rappers Who Are “Better Than Everybody”

gay-rappers

Rapper Talib Kweli — perhaps best known for his work with fellow Brooklynite Mos Def as part of the duo Black Star — was asked by Mother Jones about his opinions on homosexuality in the hip hop community. While his answer was thoughtful, the most striking line in the response was this: “There just needs to be a gay rapper who’s better than everybody. That’s when that question will no longer be able to be asked.”

What Kweli might not know is that there already are gay rappers that are better than all the other rappers out there, and maybe they should be getting more attention. To prove the point, we came up with our own (very) short list of gay rappers who are “better than everybody.”

Check out Queerty’s list of gay rappers that need a jock strap because they’re ballin’ out of control.

1. Le1f

le1f

Who He Is: This New York-born voguer — who is a trained dancer known for his distinctly wacky, glitchy seapunk aesthetic — has already dropped two addictive mixtapes: the experimental Dark York and the incessantly danceable Fly Zone. While we all wait with bated breath for his next release, Tree House on September 10, we’ll keep watching his hyper-surrel music video and praying for “Wut” to come on at the gay bar.

What He’s Up to Now: Just yesterday, Le1f (probably justifiably) read white rapper/outspoken LGBT ally Macklemore for filth, claiming that he’s unfairly profiting from his advocacy, while accusing Macklemore of ripping off a horn sample from “Wut” for “Thrift Shop.”

Choice Lyric: “Fuck these white dudes / You know I love to fuck these white dudes / I put the fever in the jungle but that don’t mean I like you / I’m not a gold digger but if he wants to pay for brunch, cool / Money money money is the bodyguard I run to.”

2. Mykki Blanco

mykki-blanco

Who She Is: Mykki Blanco was described by the Village Voice as a “gender ninja.” This drag queen rapper is not pumping out songs about heels and wigs (although she does look great in them) and is instead pushing buttons with deeply dark and menacing lyrics. Perhaps closer to performance artist than rapper (seriously, her shows are spookily intense) Mykki might be the most avant-garde of the gay-rap bunch (although, as she often explains, she has mixed feelings about being grouped in with other gay rappers).

What She’s Up to Now: Mykki was, just this weekend, the surprise hit of the Afropunk festival in Brooklyn after releasing her near-perfect mixtape Betty Rubble: The Initiation EP.

Choice Lyric: “What the fuck I go to prove to a room full of dudes / who ain’t listening to my words cause they staring at my shoes?”

3. Cakes Da Killa

cakes-da-killa-fu

Who He Is: Cakes Da Killa may not be quite as famous Mykki or Le1f but his rapping skills are on par (and perhaps surpass) the other two. A pretty-faced guy whose songs deftly mix trap, bounce, and EDM with aggressive lyrics to match, this is not one dude you want to fuck with. Always styled impeccably and with a hilarious Facebook page permanently in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, you probably should download The Eulogy before you finish this paragraph.

Where He Is Now: Newly arrived in NYC after a European tour, he’ll be playing at The Flat in Brooklyn this Saturday.

Choice Lyric: “Hit me on grindr so I know where to find ya / Pull up to my crib in your new pathfinder / Smelling like sex with a twist of the ganga / That thing in your lap looking like it’s a problem.”

4. Zebra Katz

zebra-katz

Who He Is: After finding breakout success with the Mad Decent released track “Ima Read” (which was later featured in a hallucinatory Rick Owens fashion show) Zebra Katz has been an unstoppable force. Paired with his diminutive (but equally talented) partner Njena Reddd Foxxx, Katz’s earwormy minimalist track can be heard pretty much globally, but only queers will understand that the song isn’t actually about going to the library.

What He’s Up to Now: Zebra Katz recently released his moody mixtape DRKLNG featuring a verse from Busta Rhymes and vocal samples from god-knows-where (there is a bit about reaching into a Zebra’s vagina), we are eagerly awaiting tour dates for his next round of shows.

Choice Lyric: “Ima pull a stunt / Ima fuck the cunt / Ima upend a motherfucker running amok / Two shots in the breeze when the bang get the buck / That’s honey to the badger I don’t give no fucks”

5. JBDubs

jbdubs

Who He Is: A classically trained ballet dancer (with the insane body to prove it), JBDubs is the only white boy on this list, but he can hold his own. His video “I Hate My Job,” (which featured the artist in a white button down, tie, red high heels, and little else) went viral a little bit ago, but his newer jam “Pantywaister” is sure to please.

What He’s Up to Now: Lately, JBDubs can be caught dancing and rapping at Williamburg’s Trash Bar and at Webster Hall’s weekend parties. He usually comes with a few muscular back-up dancers and some tightly choreographed routines.

Choice Lyric: “Bitch, you Meowth and I’m Pikachu / Open up your mouth and I’ll shit into it / Yes, I swear I’ll do it / Call me a fag and I’ll get to poo-ing”

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