Chance The Rapper’s younger brother, Taylor Bennett, made headlines last year when he came out as bisexual. Now, in a new interview with Highsnobiety, he’s opening up about that experience.
The 22-year-old first came out on Twitter back in January 2017.
“Growing up I’ve always felt indifferent about my sexuality & being attracted 2 one sex & today I would like to openly come out to my fans,” he wrote. “I do recognize myself as a bisexual male & do & have always openly supported the gay community & will keep doing so in 2017. #ThankYou”
I do recognize myself as a bisexual male & do & have always openly supported the gay community & will keep doing so in 2017. #ThankYou ??
— Taylor Bennett (@_TaylorBennett) January 18, 2017
Reflecting on that experience, Bennett says, “I always say that [coming out] was easier for me, because I’m a rapper and I have fans.”
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He continues, “I’m doing it for that kid that sits in the classroom, the one that has nobody to talk to and has no friends–that’s who it’s hard for. That’s why I did it, so all those kids can have someone to look into.”
Related: Taylor Bennett, hip-hop artist and Chance the Rapper’s brother, comes out as bi
“When I was a teenager, I felt like there was no place for me, and that’s how a lot of people just feel, period,” Bennett says. “So I just wanted to create a place people could feel comfortable.”
Bennett is currently finishing up work on his new album Be Yourself, which he says it about just that: being oneself.
“I’m writing honestly about my sexuality for the first time,” he says. “Sure, this music is about me as a person. But it’s also so, so much bigger than just me.”
Bennett says he hopes by sharing his story through music he can help others both in the LGBTQ community and the African-American community.
“We’re just now addressing these problems,” he says of society’s growing willingness to engage in dialogue. “It’s not just in the hip-hop community, it’s in the African-American community, and it’s worldwide.”
“I do think a lot of it is coming from the little fires that I’m starting to burn, and from artists like Migos and how they dress, and what they do. That is what’s inspiring the world to be themselves, because that’s what I’m going to do: I’m just going to be myself.”
Related: Another major “star” just came out as bisexual and a total size queen
Kangol
Good for him! His brother, Chance the Rapper, has also publicly affirmed and supported him. Now let’s see how the wider hiphop and pop music worlds respond to him. What he’s representing as an out bi black hip hop artist is so important.
jasentylar
Great story, but the impact will be minimal unless the art is good. Good for him tho.