Q&A With QBoy

My post last week on a segment on Logo's "The Advocate Newsmagazine" on hip-hop and homophobia generated some strong reactions.  Aside from facile charges of racism (defined by some as "disagreeing with someone whose skin coincidentally happens to be a different shade from your own"), some of the feedback was actually quite thoughtful.

None was more striking than an email I received from a British rapper named QBoy.  He copied me on an email he sent The Advocate taking exception with what he felt was its imbalanced portrayal of the issue.  QBoy, who is gay and white, was kind enough to sit down and talk with me about his very personal perspective on the issue.  (You can find his website at www.qboy.co.uk and his blog at www.myspace.com/supaboyq.)

Malcontent: Thanks for taking time to chat with me, QBoy.  You have said that “the idea that hip-hop equates to homophobia ... is false.”  Why do you think that?

QBoy: Because hip-hop is such a huge and broad culture.  It includes so many lovers, listeners, dancers, graf artists, producers, musicians, singers, rappers – millions of people.  They cannot all share the same viewpoint.  It is not possible.  And it is carried by the media that when they talk about hip-hop being homophobic, they are really talking about certain individuals and not the whole culture.  This to me is causing a further problem and not helping the matter.

Malcontent: But isn’t hip hop built on a super-masculinized ideal that some feel goes against homosexuality?

QBoy: No. One, your question supposes that being super-masculine is the opposite of being homosexual, which I think is incorrect.  Masculinity is about being a man, not a straight man.

Two, hip-hop is built on street culture and club culture, art, expression – it's only of recent that the super-masculine, “thug-gangsta rapper” has become prevalent in hip-hop.  But gangsta rap is not all that hip-hop is about; it is simply the most commercial and popular.

QBoy talks about some of the gay and pro-gay hip-hop artists, and more, after the jump.  (Oh, yeah.  And some of the pics are less safe for work than the one above, i.e., a butt shot!) ...

Malcontent: Are pro-gay rappers a great “silent majority”?  How large of a group are they?

QBoy: Well, I use “pro-gay rapper” in a bit of a loose way.  For example, one of the biggest rap groups ever, Salt-N-Pepa, have always demonstrated a very strong support for the gay community – in their lyrics, in the places and events they perform at, the charities they supported, many related to gay men living with HIV, for example.

Obviously, all the “out” rappers from the homo-hop scene could be considered pro-gay.  Or “pro-acceptance” is a better term, as obviously if they are gay, generally they are proud about it and using hip-hop to speak their piece.

However, it is true they are a minority – not because all the others are homophobic, but because most of the artists have no reason, maybe in their eyes, to stick up for a community they are not connected with, or feel like it’s not their place to say it – probably for fear of the stick they might get from those individuals who are homophobic.

Malcontent: So how big is the homo-hop community, then?  You’re one of the first that I have become aware of.

QBoy: The homo-hop scene is a good size and growing all the time.  There are lots of rappers, producers, poets, singers, and the like working on their own individual projects.  But the great thing is everyone is so supportive and loving.  It is, like, not as competitive as mainstream music and everyone helps out, and features on each others’ tracks.  (Ed. note: QBoy provided links to examples here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.)

Malcontent: How have you been received within the hip hop industry as a whole as an out gay, white man?

QBoy: Since I released my first CD, “Even the Women Like Him,” in early 2004 – and I’ve been featured, luckily, in a lot of media and press – whenever I have met people within the black music industry here in the UK, they automatically give me respect for what I am doing, as I'm doing it all on my own.  I am my manager, agent, label, DJ – you name it, I do it.  And these industry people know that the average signed rapper in the UK hasn’t got press like I have, and those (other) artists have a whole team and money behind them.

The real problem has been with the gay community.  They have been so set in their ways for so long: house and pop music, clubs fueled by drugs, big DJs, no need for live acts, and definitely not a rapper.  “Oh, my heavens, no, dear!”  (Laughs)  But fortunately, with hip-hop being so big over here in the UK now, that has been changing.

Malcontent: So you’re not a fan of the more stereotypically “gay” music like Madonna, Cher and Kylie?

QBoy: I’m not a huge fan. But I don’t dislike pop music.  I appreciate Madonna as much as the next fag, but it ain’t all I like, and I’m not gonna limit my music choices because I fancy men.  It’s ludicrous to say because you are gay, then this is the music you must listen to.  No individuality and no room to breathe.

Malcontent: What, if anything, do you think needs to be done to address the homophobia that does exist in rap?  Do consumers need to hold the industry’s feet to the fire?

QBoy: I think it’s not as small as just the world of hip-hop. It all relates to bigger problems.  The whole world keeps buying into and feeding into fear and negativity.  There are so many great intellectual, positive, conscious artists out there, so many great rappers with something to say that is beneficial and not negative, and it is such a shame consumers would rather buy into the negative commercial rubbish being pumped out.

But the media help to sell this rubbish too, and keep it negative.  At the end of the day, if we keep calling hip-hop homophobic, casting a blanket over everyone involved in hip-hop, it will lead to problems with those very people who are in hip-hop and are presently open-minded about homosexuality. We should be making allies with them, getting them on our side, not tarring them with same brush.

Collectively, we can conquer the homophobic artists.  If we “media” and we “consumers” put the spotlight on the positive rappers instead of the negative ones, we all win.  We as consumers get better quality hip-hop with positive and beneficial messages, the artists get the dues they deserve, and the homophobes would be ignored and diminish.  Then rappers will see the best person to be, and the best chance of success would be to be positive, realizing there is no money to be made in being negative, and it will fashionable to be positive, and so “last season” to be negative.  (Laughs)

Malcontent: You’re a relentless optimist.  I like that!

QBoy: You have to have high goals, otherwise you get nada.  Change will come.  I don’t know if it will be while I am alive, but love will be all that’s left, just as it was when we started.

Malcontent: How are you addressing issues like tolerance and homophobia through your own work?  How are you adding to that “love”?

QBoy: I have a few ways I address them.  One, for example is to write from personal experience.  My lead single from my new album is an anti-bullying campaign track called “A Deal With God,” using a Kate Bush sample, “Running Up That Hill.”  It is about my experience of being bullied when I was at school.  This has led to me working with a charity here in the UK called “Schools Out,” and they are fighting for more equality and provision of gay kids at school, support and, obviously, helping reduce bullying.

Another way is what I try to do often, is to get a great beat, perfect for club play, that the kids are gonna love, because it’s their minds we have to work on to break the cycle of homophobia.  If I can get a kid to buy my record because he thinks it’s a great tune and forgo his typical reaction of saying, “Ah, that guy’s a faggot, I ain’t buying his record,” then I am getting that kid to not only buy my record, but buy a piece of acceptance.  That is a much more precious thing that the unit sale.

MalcontentNY: Is rap getting better, or worse, in its portrayal of groups like gays and women?

QBoy: Well, look at how successful female rappers are these days: Salt-N-Pepa, as I mentioned, Queen Latifah, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown.  There was once a time when people were saying female rappers are a fad and never gonna happen or last, just as there was once a time when there were not any openly gay rappers, and now look at the scene.  Therefore, it must be getting better.  The stronger the resistance, the better we must be doing, I believe.

Malcontent: That’s an optimistic note to end on, QBoy, but my co-blogger, Robbie, had one more question for you: Who is your favorite Thundercat?

QBoy: Umm … when I was younger, playing with my mates in the street and parks, I always used to be Cheetara, which I guess is quite gay!  (Laughs)  Lion-O was too annoying.  He always was running out of breath after being trapped by Mumm-Ra and wasting his last gulps of air talking to himself, going, “Can’t … quite … reach … my … sword!”  (Laughs)

Malcontent: Too funny!  Were they “good ones” or villains?

QBoy: Lion-O and Cheetara were both goodies.  Can’t you tell I’m a goodie?

Malcontent: But of course!  Thanks for your time, QBoy.

QBoy: Thank you for your time too.  Ciao!

Comments

[Jack Malebranche]

QBoy: No. One, your question supposes that being super-masculine is the opposite of being homosexual, which I think is incorrect. Masculinity is about being a man, not a straight man.

While I despise hip-hop (for aesthetic reasons alone), he has a nice ass.

And the quote above is music to my ears, even if his music probably isn't.

Well said, QBoy.

[North Dallas Thirty]

QBoy and Mal, thank you. That interview and what you both had to say really, really made my day. It's great to see that kind of positive attitude and someone who is willing to stand up and say, yes, there IS a better way.

And, of course, the butt shot.....;)

[James]

Yeah I have to say that the whole hip-hop homophobia thing is a bit tired and it was good to see someone talk about it in a incisive way. Of course it would be nice to see the Advocate do a part 2 with gay hip-hop performers, but I'm not holding my breath.

peace

[Malcontent]

NDT, that was all for you! ;-)

I didn't get a chance yet to explore all the links QBoy provided, but I sincerely hope to see a growth of gay African-Americans within hip-hop. It's not a secert that the black community has some issues with gays that are somewhat unique to it, which can compound the problem. It is kind of where I was going with the "super-masculine" question, the culture of "bitches and hos," etc.

[James]

Mal,

Not to be too picky or funky, but there has been lots of growth in hip-hop artists who happen to be black (it might nice to get their take). As for the black community and gays well I think that is a bit more complicated than you make it. The Pew Research did a study a few years back and found these two thngs out: 1)black folk were more likely to want to outlaw gay sex than whites, AND 2) blacks were more likely to want to include sexual orientation in anti-discrimantion law than whites. Look at the rhetoric of groups like the NAACP. Heck sometimes they sound like GLADD (grin). I would say the best way to describe blacks and gays is the black community is just like the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And anyone who is honest will admit this: without black gays there is no gay black church. Here is some shameless promtion:

http://www.nyblade.com/2005/10-14/news/national/crisis.cfm

peace

[North Dallas Thirty]

LOL....OK, I made approximately three references to needing more butt-shots, and finally I get one.

In that case.....hairy and beefy, hairy and beefy, hairy and beefy! :)

[Malcontent]

Jamse, I will certainly accede to your knowledge -- if there is more black homo-hop, all the better. To be right honest, I am not much of a fan of most hip-hop. I'm the kind of guy who sort of prefers, well, a melody. Call me old-fashioned. And I didn't tell QBoy this, but I was about to have a throw-down over his cmoments about pop music. Y'all know what?! I love Kelly Clarkson!!!

There, I said it. :-)

Anyway, I would gladly do another interview with any black homo-hop artists who had something interesting to say about it. QBoy just happened to email me.

[James]

Mal,

Kelly Clarkson?!?!?!?!?!? Well I got cursed out last time I dogged her out, so I'll be kind....For now.....smile. As for my musical taste, I'm a jazz fan from L. Armstrong to C. Wilson. Now that's music! Too bad Miss Clarkson can't sing like Miss Wilson...I'm sorry. That was wrong of me :-)

peace

[Robbie]

I'm sorry.

I love Since U Been Gone.

Don't worry. I hate myself for this =(

[Malcontent]

I didn't say I didn't like that other stuff too, dear. I grew up singing some of the most challenging chorale music and playing some of the most challenging orchestral music around.

But I also don't make apologies for all of my low-brow loves. I mean, hey, there's my blog! :-)

[North Dallas Thirty]

LOL....I have liked Kelly Clarkson since she sang one of my all-time favorites, "Bless the Broken Road". If that song doesn't make you want to hug, kiss, and cuddle with your husbear, you are one cold individual.

[James]

North Dallas,

My heart is cold as ice. She could sing Amazing Grace and I would want to spend my after-life in hell. :-)

peace

ps: And for the record: I despsie Madonna :-)

[Robbie]

Now Madonna hate is something I can support *thumbs up*

[MT]

The idea that hyper masculinity and homosexuality are incompatible is totally false. Homosexuals were the first to adopt hypermasculine ideals in the 1970's. I've read several compelling arguments about how this has lead to such phenomena as the 70's gay porn star with his muscular physique and hairy body as well as the modern Chelsea Boy. It's been a reaction to the idea that we are fem from the beginning.

[Jack Malebranche]

Homosexuals were the first to adopt hypermasculine ideals in the 1970's.

Yup. The homosexual underground and he bodybuilding subculture were probably huge influences on the 'macho man' 70s culture. Straights copying homos copying straights. For the general public, it's also known as homomasculinity, a term coined, I think, by writer Jack Fritscher, one of the founding editors of Drummer magazine.

Gay activists have actually done a great deal more to reinforce the idea that homosexuality and masculinity are mutually exclusive than they have to dispel it, and that's sad.

I know where Malcontent was going with the question--it's something that would come from the gay feminist establishment--but I thought that QBoy's answer was perfect.