Dear Hip Hop,
Over the past few days, I’ve been asked why the theme for this year’s black gay pride in Los Angeles is Hip Hop. Growing up as a young black male in the South was hard, but being from New Orleans, Hip Hop was always the soundtrack to my life. Hip Hop embraced me like a fatherless child from the very beginning. I remember the first time I heard “You Got Me” by the Roots’:
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don’t worry you know that you got me
There was something about that song that I connected with. It was undeniable. Hip Hop was the one consistent thing that. Truth be told it’s not easy to survive the streets of America as a black male, but you taught me how to survive and somehow you always made me feel more powerful. Whether it was stressing when Christmas dissed us or the sound of Timbaland’s legendary drums cradling Aaliyah’s fragile tenor, I felt comfortable expressing myself through you. I related to you. You gave me the okay to do me. And somehow in doing so, you allowed me to find myself.
And I want you to know who I am. I am a strong black man… And I am gay… And I am proud.
It took me forever to build up the courage to tell you that. You haven’t always been accepting of who I was, but we’ve always known there were truths we both had to accept. When we lose our favorite artists to senseless street violence we both are reminded that we are only one degree away from our predestined fate of jail or death. These are unfortunately the similarities of discrimination that have bonded us from the beginning. Whether it be through the eyes of the police or the eyes of our parents, our bond is inextricable.
But, today’s the day! My proudest moment. My chance to honor you with a celebration that speaks to how much I respect you. I honor you, I admire you, I’m thankful for you and I love you. You played a heavy hand in the way that I was raised and I reveal myself to you because I realize how alike we are. I am Hip Hop too.
“Hip Hop at some point makes you wanna move, makes you wanna dance, makes you wanna have a good time. And that is what pride is all about, a good time. Something that makes us proud of who we are. And that is what BLACK PRIDE is about, having the pride of who you are.”- Brandon Anthony
LA’s Black Gay Pride begins today Wednesday July 1st – Sunday July 5th
B.A.S.H. | Brandon Anthony’s Socialite House
Twitter/IG: @brandonanthony_
Wow what a dope article! Interesting but very valid read, proud of you B!
I’m glad this nigga came out. At least I know what not to buy/support.
Haha exactly!
Here’s an interesting read about homophobia in rap..
http://rapalytics.com/articles/rap-and-homophobia-what-do-stats-say
Not to B.A.S.H and I could be wrong but I think being homo is a form of sexual retardation. Hey more women for me and others right. But doesn’t this gay stuff concerning Hip hop remind you of that Boondocks episode with Gangstalious. Much love though peace
Get Educated before it too late.
Ducking queerz. I’m so sick of this being throw in everybody faces.. Ok I get it you’re queer, want your diickk chopped hey Bruce Jenner the transgender ya I’m speaking to all u .. Hey I’m str8 ain’t no body givin me 60 min special … I’m call in out sexual discrimination for us heterosexual
Kill yourself
Stop trying to throw this gay shit in our face.
Interesting choice of words… Lol
Theres really a lot of hate and immaturity on here ..damn. We have a long way to go and we also need to realise… its not up to us how people live. Someone being gay does not infringe on how I live so it isn’t relevant to me. Its not me who will be doing the judging at the end of the day.
Who is judging us at the end of the day? The pagan guy in the sky? Yes immaturity call it what you will, but I’m sick of all the attention this is getting. It’s all you hear on the news anymore… If this offends you it goes to show the pussification of mankind is for real.. With every generation passing we are getting weaker
You’re the weak-minded degenerate. Kill yourself.
@nadya… Point proven
Yes. You repeatedly prove my point. You’re a bigot. You’re a piece of human garbage. Kill yourself. Commit suicide. End your life.
Hip-Hop is crap. It’s only about sex, drugs and money.
@Nadya how’s it in a bigot? Because I said I’m sick of hearing about all this gay right shit everywhere I go? It’s not even the gays fault it’s the medias… And yes I said pussification of mankind.. And this is why you got a moron like yourself that fails to understand where people like myself come from… So yes the pathetic thing to say to somebody on a different level than yourself would be your response .. But killing my self isn’t my generation homie.. I assuming you’re a millennial.. So all your cutters, emos, and people that are gna say this too long to read.. Yes your pussy ass generation.. Fux timeout I play knockout
Oh, boo boo, did the bad girl make you upset? You having a little cry? Are you a wounded little piss baby? Yeah? Yeah you are. There there.
@ Nadya..What u like 12? With your horrible stewie from family guy impression having ass.. Outclassed ya azz again Nadya.. I’m out here .. U ain’t on my level intellectually
Yeah, this is definitely a clear victory for you.