Black gay rappers

Syd

Syd, also known as Syd Tha Kyd, made her mark in the music scene as a member of the hip-hop group Odd Future, featuring Frank Ocean.

She went on to achieve greater success through her involvement with The Internet and her solo work.

Apart from her rap skills, Syd is a proficient singer and producer who dabbles in a range of genres such as neo-soul, R&B, and hip-hop.

19.

And since I came out, maybe you can live your life.”

This tweet, which was both candid and witty, required a lot of courage to deliver, particularly in 2017 when being a gay rapper was still a controversial topic in the music industry.

6. Kaytranada

Grammy-winning producer and DJ Kaytranada publicly came out as gay in 2016 after releasing his highly acclaimed debut album 99.9%.

During an interview with Fader, he talked about the moment he opened up to his family.

At first, he told his mother and brother that he was bisexual, but later on, he admitted that he was gay.

He doesn’t label himself as straight or gay, stating that “it’s just me,” but acknowledges that he is gay.

28.

Mista Strange

Mista Strange, a drill rapper from Britain, has shared his experience of being a publicly gay rapper and how it often leads to underestimation.

In one of his tracks, he touches upon this subject with the lyrics, “Won’t let me through ‘cause I’m back like Santan, Won’t let me through ‘cause I’m gay like Schofield.”

Despite facing such negative feedback, he draws inspiration from it for his lyrics and has no plans of giving up.

He even revealed that he had received messages from people who came out after watching his music video.

See also:Best British Rappers

3.

The following are some members of the community who have made significant contributions to the visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in hip-hop, using their platforms to challenge norms and promote inclusivity.

1. He views his music and visibility as a means to inspire others to embrace their true selves.

2.

10.

Big Freedia

Big Freedia, a New Orleans bounce music superstar, has always been open and proud about their gender and sexuality.

In an interview with Huffington Post, when asked whether they were concerned about how their gender and sexuality might affect their career, Big Freedia responded, “I don’t really worry about that.”

12.

Songs like "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" directly confront prejudice with powerful, sometimes provocative music videos. The controversy it sparked mirrored so many societal tensions around genre, race, and identity, yet Lil Nas X refused to shrink from attention.

Instead, he used his platform to become a beacon of open and fierce authenticity.

His 1988 death from AIDS tragically cut short a career of unyielding authenticity and brilliance.

Though often overlooked, Sylvester was a crucial figure in paving the way for queer artists like Prince, George Michael, and many more who took risks to forge their own unique paths. Young M.A

Emerging in the mid-2010s, Young M.A has established herself as a prominent figure in the rap industry.

Her hit single “Ooouuu” and its accompanying music video, which has amassed over 350 million views on YouTube, catapulted her into the spotlight.

Young M.A.’s promising career trajectory was acknowledged when she was named in Forbes’ 30 under 30 list in 2018.

20.

Da Brat

Da Brat is widely recognized as one of the most influential female rappers.

Her first album, Funkdafied, featured the titular hit single, which became platinum, making her the first solo female rapper to achieve such a feat, according to XXL.

As a woman in hip-hop, Da Brat faced sexism throughout her life, but she decided to speak out and tell her truth after 25 years.

In 2020, the rap icon opened up about coming out in an interview with Variety.

Da Brat cited the pervasive homophobia of the ’90s for her decision not to come out earlier and said that people like Ellen faced significant backlash for being openly gay.

However, after falling in love with entrepreneur and haircare mogul Jesseca Dupart, Da Brat decided to come out and embrace her truth. 

23.

That means listening to their music, understanding their messages, and seeking out new, diverse gay black singers to elevate. 

Because in a world where music is all around us, shouldn't it sound as diverse and beautiful as the world itself?

Sylvester: The Disco Trailblazer Embracing His True Voice

Sylvester, known as the "Queen of Disco," was a force of nature whose flamboyant stage presence and powerful falsetto vocals helped define the dance music era of the 1970s.

Cakes Da Killa
Identifying as a queer Black man, Cakes Da Killa has used his music to challenge stereotypes and promote LGBTQ+ representation within hip-hop.

12. Saucy Santana
An openly gay rapper, Saucy Santana has been vocal about his identity, stating, “I came in gay and I came in swinging,” emphasizing the importance of visibility and representation in hip-hop.

3.

Lil Nas X
One of the most high-profile members of both the hip-hop and the LGBTQ community, Lil Nas X came out as gay in 2019, using his platform to challenge homophobia in hip-hop and promote self-expression. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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