The LGBT community and hip hop are not often considered to be synonymous with each other. For years, hip hop music has largely been degrading to women and people whom identify as gay or lesbian. This was attributed to being “just a part of the genre.” While this is obviously not the way it should be, it was, and is simply looked past by fans of rap. However, as the world advances and becomes more accepting of all peoples, so should hip hop.
In recent years there have been a few members of the hip hop community who have come out as being gay or bisexual. Many of these artists have not been critically or commercially successful, though this certainly does not give us as fans reason to not applaud them for their strength and bravery. That being said, their impact has not been felt as much as some other hip hop artists who are more popular using their platform to come out.
A few years ago, after the release of his award-winning album Channel Orange, Frank Ocean revealed through his tumblr that he was once in love with a man. Now, Frank himself has not really ever come out and said “I am gay” or “I am bisexual.” He has been extremely supportive of LGBT rights and campaigns and it is often assumed that Frank is bisexual.
While Frank’s tumblr post was a big moment for hip hop/R&B, it was not quite the moment that I as a fan of rap music and a supporter of gay rights was looking for. Frank is a great artist and helped to spur this movement in the rap world, he is not an MC. Frank’s music pushes much farther towards the realm of R&B rather than hip hop.
But, just a few days ago we finally had a popular, a well known MC come out as bisexual. Taylor Bennett, whose first mixtape Broad Shoulders has been performing very well online and via streaming services, came out to the world in a series of tweets. Taylor may be better known for being the brother of the VERY famous Chance The Rapper, but now he may be known as the leader of the LGBT movement for the rap community. Chance also tweeted in support of Taylor.
It has yet to be seen how the hip-hop community at large, and fellow rappers, will also support Taylor. I can only hope that they will. This is a very big moment for hip hop because it is a moment in which the hip hop community can reveal itself and how it truly feels about LGBT rappers and community members.
