Fly Young Red’s Throw That Boy Pussy managed to be both controversial and unusual. Why? He’s an openly gay rapper playing off the conventional misogyny of hip-hop and objectifying men. The video turned the standard visual tropes of the straight-male dominated industry on its head, with hot pant clad twinks twerking in the background whilst Fly Young Red raps.
Thanks to social media and his contentious, artful lyricism, Fly Young Red has shot to fame in homophobia-dominated industry. His quick progression is a testament to the power of social media and modern-day, digital entrepreneurship. It’s also an example of society’s musical desire for change and to see a once impenetrable, glass ceiling being craked – it’s only a matter of time before it’s broken.
We caught up with the 23-year-old rapper to debunk rumors, talk about sexuality and muse on the future of hip hop.
How and why did you start rapping?
I’ve always been a poet; songs are just poetry put to music so it was bound to happen. I have also been a fan of music and always been a performer, so that helped too.
Has your sexuality hindered your progression in the music business?
I feel like if I was straight and I made such a splash with a hit song that talked about women I would have been signed to a major record label by now. But I am who I am, and my path is a lil’ different. It is what it is. Besides the fact I can’t really work with a lot of artists because they want to protect their brand, and a lot of people don’t want to be considered as gay through association. I haven’t really given them the lyrical Mona Lisa either – it’s coming this summer on my album, then things will be a little different, I’m sure.
What makes you focus on such contentious topics in your lyrics? Why do you think no one has rapped about it before?
If you want to make a difference, you gotta touch on issues that people are scared of. You can’t make change by tipping around important topics. You gotta challenge it. A lot of artists don’t want to be out as openly gay anyway, so why would they talk about gay issues if they don’t want to be associated with it? Now, things are changing. People shouldn’t be afraid of stepping outside boundaries and talking about issues that affect others.
Several rumors claim that you’re signed to Cash Money, is that true? Have you been approached by any other record labels? If not, what do you think the reason is?
I am not signed to Cash Money Records. At this moment, some labels have reached out, but everybody wants to see certain things. Like if I can make another song with as big of an impact as Throw That Boy Pussy. I made all of this commotion and I don’t even have an album out. But I gotta show them that I can make them some money. Gay or straight, it’s always about the dollar.
Why do you think it’s taken so long for people to embrace hip hop artists like yourself?
I’m not really sure why it’s taken so long for them to embrace an artist like myself. But, I think it’s about time.
How has social media helped you raise your profile?
Social media has taken my career to where it is today. It propelled me to overnight celebrity. It catapulted me past and above a lot of bullshit. I don’t have to call a club and ask if can I perform for free and hope they’ll like me; they’re calling me asking how much it is for me to show up – all because of the hype generated from social media. So, thank you, social media.
Have you had support from any prolific rappers?
A lot of people have reached out with support, Azealia Banks and Trina most of all. I always expected a female rapper to reach out with support first but the guys will come around eventually. I just have to give them some lyrics. Something that they can relate to and just go hard to and I’m sure they will come around.
Hip hop in general can be very misogynistic, do you think that will ever go away?
Misogyny is very prevalent in hip-hop. So when it comes to a gay rapper, it’s only fair that they should be allowed to do the opposite! That’s what was so shocking about Throw That Boy Pussy. But we’re here, right? Where do I see hip hop going with in the next 5-10 years? I believe it will be more accepting of the LGBT community and there is going to be a major, openly gay, celebrated hip-hop artist for sure…
Credits
Text Lewis Firth