LGBTQ+ “Step-Children Of Hip-Hop” Celebrate Genre’s 50th Anniversary In NYC This Saturday
Half a century ago this week, in The Bronx, the hip-hop genre was born, emerging out of the turbulent 1960s civil rights era to set social commentary to music. Over the ensuing five decades, this driving, youth-empowering style of rhyming pentameter has grown and evolved into a definitive voice of people of color everywhere. Once dismissed as an “inner-city” form of expression, today hip-hop has found its way into the mainstream with corporate America and Hollywood alike embracing its themes and artists. Yet, despite its long record of success and transformative power, hip-hop has often rebuffed its LGBTQ performers and composers, leaving these talents in the entertainment underground.
In recent years, however, LGBTQ artists have slowly emerged into the hip-hop nation’s consciousness, beginning with online radio programs like DJ Baker’s pioneering “Da Doo-Dirty Show”, which gave a platform to the “step-children of hip-hop”, by showcasing performers like the Out Mobb, Splash Tee, and Shorty Roc. These personalities, among many others, formed the foundation of LGBTQ+ hip-hop, building fan followers at Black LGBTQ Pride celebrations from coast to coast, and bringing a new dimension to the genre and the music industry in general. Today, young artists like the pop sensation Lil’ Nas X have brought LGBTQ hip-hop full circle, by touring and performing as an out, gay Black rapper from the start of his career.
This weekend, on New York City’s Governor’s Island right smack in the middle of the harbor (Art Crawl Harlem Art House, 4068 Colonel’s Row), comes Banjee Boombox, a 50th Anniversary tribute to queer, femme, and women artists, produced by The Muvaship. Hosted by award-winning singer Marck Angel, Bae Sade, and presented by DJ Likwuid and DJ Mary Mac from 1–8 PM, the program is a delightful roll call of LGBTQ+ talent. “Banjee Boombox is a celebration of QTBIPOC hip hop, art, and joy in our community,” DJ Likwuid elaborates. “I hope that each person that attends this event will feel safe enough to immerse themselves fully in this event. We want to collectively experience the history/herstory/theirstory of the 50th anniversary of hip hop, while creating conversations around the future of the genre.”
The roster of artists scheduled to appear includes Bry’NT, Medino Green, Baron, Taela Naomi, R.R. Chong, and Roc The Mic Student Cypher, alongside many other luminaries, is sure to make the afternoon a memorable one. So, grab a ticket on the Governor’s Island Ferry and set sail for a day of the best LGBTQ+ hip-hop you’ll enjoy all year. It’s a great way to commemorate a historic milestone in music!
