Forget The Grammys, Here’s Seven Queer Musicians You Should Be Listening To
Gay rappers are certainly having their moment, and while it may be too early to throw trophies their way, these pioneering artists definitely deserve recognition for busting through hip hop’s glass closet. Zebra Katz (above) leads the pack—in my book at least—with his simmering, insidiously infectious “Ima Read,” featuring Njena Redd Foxx. The track heralds a new brand of dark, lo-fi hip hop. Meanwhile, you couldn’t read a music blog this year without encountering Le1f or Mykki Blanco (below).
Le1f, “Wut”
Mykki Blanco, “Wavvy”
Second Bloc Party…and Dane Terry is pretty amazing. unsigned neo-vaudevillian, queer cabaret performer with spooky, science fiction waltzes from Columbus, OH. (http://daneterry.bandcamp.com/)
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Wolf just seems to be missing better production quality. Katz seems the most promising of the group, but too vulgar for my taste. Macklemore and Ray Lewis is the best of the bunch here, but they’re a bit more seasoned and another level, so apples and oranges. Always great to hear budding artists. Thanks for the recommendations, Queerty!
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Wolf’s instrumentation is gorgeous, but I do not enjoy the sound of his voice at all. I could barely listen to a minute of his vocals. I can’t imagine how torturous a double album would be.
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my 9 year old niece turned me on to SAME LOVE-the best song & video in a long time. i cried!!
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Macklemore is not queer, he is a straight ally (as you mentioned) so why put him under this category?
I love Thrift Shop
I have never heard of the rest, I have to check them out
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Patrick Wolf would have to go a long way to catch up with another queer UK artist – DAVID SIMNEL (and his Pimpernels). Simnel is a multi-instrumentalist, who plays piano, guitar, mandolin, accordion, vibes, marimbas, dulcimer, bass, drums, cello, trombone and lord knows what else. The difference is he really can sing too, and writes the most brilliant songs. Vocally, he’s like Scott Walker and Billy MacKenzie, with a warmth of Boy George and the power of Shirley Bassey! He releases all his own stuff these days after being, dropped by two labels, due to his openly gay stance and support of gay rights, they just didn’t see it as a commercial prospect!! He covers everything from electro to pop, but his jazz/torch numbers are outstanding. It’s criminal that he is such an overlooked/undiscovered artist. Just see for yourselves.
http://davidsimnelandthepimpernels.bandcamp.com/track/im-losing-you
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Sorry, gonna stick to my Residents/Butthole Surfers for gay musician awesomeness.
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BIG DIPPER. How in the world did you not add Big Dipper to this list?
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Kele Kele Kele Kele
Bloc Party has a new album out this is a criminal omission