Historically, hip-hop and the culture as a whole is very homophobic. Even artists who are now out as being LGBTQ+ have made homophobic remarks in the past, utilizing slurs in a harmful way. It’s important to recognize the courage it takes to go against the norm, especially in a genre that values machismo above all else.
But speaking your truth is never easy. As a result, controversy and judgement often follows those who come out as queer. Big names, such as DaBaby and Boosie Badazz, still feel comfortable making homophobic remarks, because even in 2021, being a LGBTQ+ rapper is still not widely accepted.
That’s why it’s so important to look at the rappers who are paving the way forward. These five rappers are doing their best to make history, and by doing so, they are changing the future.
There’s no better time to recognize these icons than during LGBT History Month, though you can be sure that their songs will be blaring on our speakers year round.
5 LGBTQ+ Rappers Making History in the Music Industry
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X may be one of the most prolific rappers to ever come out. He reached international fame with his country-inspired rap song, “Old Town Road,” and used his platform to come out publicly as gay. Since then, he has released a series of increasingly more controversial songs, and his debut chart-topping album, MONTERO.
Coming out isn’t always easy, because not everyone will support you. It’s a hard truth, but it’s one that Lil Nas X has approached head-on. He dazzles the haters with humor and increasingly more taboo videos, the point of which go over the heads of many people who miss the message.
Ultimately, if you need some inspiration to be bold, to be brave, and say “#@!$ the haters,” Lil Nas X is the rapper for you.
Young M.A.
After the success of her quadruple-platinum hit single, “Ooouuu,” Young M.A. was nominated for BET “Artist of the Year” and MTV “Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year” awards. This powerhouse came out to her family at the age of 18. Young M.A. defined this moment as a huge turning point in her rap career. She said, “I held in being sexually attracted to women for so long that once I got that out of me, the music became easy.”
Young M.A. raps about money, women, sex, and violence.
“This industry is male-dominated, we can’t pretend that it’s not. So when you do make it as a female, you feel more honored, because the guys take over so much.”
Her music has brought her to the heights of success. In 2018, she was featured on Forbes 30 Under 30. She’s graced several magazine covers, appeared in multiple global ad campaigns, and starred on a variety of television shows.
Young M.A. credits New York City for making it easier to be publicly out. “In New York City, it’s popular. I used to think to myself, man, there’s a lot of gay people out there. And it makes me comfortable, it was like, I can be myself! I used to still try to hide it until it was overwhelming — there were just too [many] girls attracted to me!”
We’re a product of our environment, and if Young M.A. is any indication, NYC remains the place to be. If not for the welcoming culture, then for its ability to produce some of the biggest stars in the world.
Photo via Young M.A. on IG
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator is another popular LGBTQ+ rapper who started his career tossing homophobic slurs into his lyrics carelessly. In 2011, he was called “violently anti-gay” and was criticized for his use of these words. He replied, “I’m not homophobic. I just say faggot and use gay as an adjective to describe stupid shit,” and, “I’m not homophobic. I just think faggot hits and hurts people.”
However, he reached a turning point in his music, lyrics, and way of speaking. Even though he had been “kissing white boys since 2004,” Tyler, The Creator didn’t come out publicly until a 2015 Rolling Stone interview where he said he was “gay as fuck.”
He recently won “Album of the Year” at the BET Awards. It just goes to show, it’s never too late to say you’re sorry, you were wrong, and go out and be your authentic self successfully.
Image via @feliciathegoat on IG
Doja Cat
Controversy seems to follow many rappers who began closeted and exited openly gay. In a twist of irony, Doja Cat leveled a homophobic slur at Tyler, The Creator in 2015 when she was in high school. Currently, her music details girl-on-girl action and she’s out as pansexual.
“I like dicks and I also like, um, I like people that I can have sex with. You can kind of have sex with anybody, right?” While this isn’t an “official” declaration, it’s important to note that every identity is valid, even without a huge press conference.
Currently, she’s out and about with her rumored girlfriend, Bree Runway. While many speculate whether it’s an attention grab, we don’t care. At the end of the day, it’s nobody’s business who you are dating, but the photos do look cute.
In one of her songs, she says, “Yeah, I like bananas and peaches and some might say it’s indecent. That’s just crazy.”
It seems that Doja Cat is facing a similar issue as Billie Eilish; both are rumored to like girls while having dated men in the past. Neither artist has made a huge official and public statement, but both post and talk freely about liking women. It might just be the bi/pan girl conundrum; nobody believes you. If you’re in the same boat, it’s okay. Buy this couch and play your bi-girl music in peace.
Ashnikko
However, if you want an example of what it means to be officially out and bi/pansexual, then look no further than Ashnikko. She grew up in a small southern town with conservative parents and spent much of her youth hating herself.
“I spent my childhood in southern small-town USA surrounded by a lot of close-minded people, hating myself and struggling to understand why I wanted to kiss my best girlfriends.”
She didn’t have the opportunity to live in a more accepting city, so the internet ended up being her saving grace. Tumblr opened her up to a new world and gave her the courage to be herself.
Ashnikko came out in 2019 as bisexual, and as a result, her family said they were disgraced by her. Then, in May 2021, she came out as pansexual.
Her music explores her sexuality in a way that many other artists aren’t doing right now. “Slumber Party,” featuring Princess Nokia, discusses what it means to hook up with someone else’s girlfriend. It became widely popularized on TikTok and reached more than half a million views in the first 10 hours of its release.
Although she grew up believing something was wrong with her, she uses her experiences as an opportunity to create music that might just inspire others to follow in her footsteps and do what they want. Don’t let the haters get you down (even when the haters are family).
Be Gay, Be You
These controversies just go to show, being out is brave, even in 2021. To declare yourself as gay is to open yourself up to haters. Even LGBTQ+ rappers had to gather the strength to be themselves.
If you used this year’s “National Coming Out Day” as an opportunity to declare your truth, congratulations. And if you don’t have the option to do so yet, just know that you are valid. In the meantime, feel free to blast the words of those who have come before you and take comfort in the knowledge that for many, time fixes most everything.
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