eminem-hiphop.html

Alternatunes: Queer-friendly hip-hop
by Jim Provenzano

Not all rap or hip-hop groups base
their bass on bigotry. As with the
activist-oriented Rage Against the
Machine in the rock world, a
politically focused, leftist, pro-feminist,
and even pro-gay aesthetic has
proven to enrich the power of
hip-hop music.

Rainbow Flava is one of a few
fiercely out rap groups, empowering
the term "fag" by using it themselves. Others, like Me'shell Ndegeocello,
use provocative lyrics to make people rethink their own bigotry rather
than providing a soundtrack for it.

From San Francisco to New York to Milan, openly gay and politically
active groups, performing in a variety of languages, have found support
and a fan base. Here are a few gay or gay-friendly hip-hop artists worth
your attention:

Michael Franti
Although no longer in the duo Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, San
Francisco?based Michael Franti -- known for his progressive lyrics and for
producing similar groups -- now fronts the group Spearhead. D.H.H.'s
notable "The Language of Violence" chillingly recounts a gay basher's fate
in jail.

Giovanni Jovanotti
Jovanotti (a.k.a. "Lorenzo"), an Italian rapper who's worked with Michael
Franti, is not gay, but his songs can be heard in the gay Italian film
L'uomini, L'uomini, L'uomini (Men, Men, Men).

Rainbow Flava
Openly gay, cogender rap group

Queen Pen
A songstress who's outspoken about human rights
Listen to Queen Pen

Morplay
Low-key duo with a cool site

Juba Kalamka
With-it vocalist

Double Dong
Gay comedy rap!

Mistermaker
Hiphop alternative site

Italian Rap Site
Bills itself as the only English-language Web site devoted to Italian
hip-hop

Radiocatch
Alternative Sexuality Broadcasting

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Articles

<LI><A HREF="http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0005/trebay.shtml" TARGET="_blank">"Homo Thugz," in the Village Voice</A>
<LI><A HREF="http://www.motherjones.com/news_wire/homiesexualz.html" TARGET="_blank">"Homie-sexuals": Mother Jones on gay rap</A>

Alternatunes: Queer-friendly hip-hop
by Jim Provenzano 
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Articles

Word Up: James Earl Hardy's homo hiphop novels

<LI><A HREF="http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=3688&ISBN=1555832687" TARGET="_blank">B-Boy Blues: A Seriously Sexy, Fiercely Funny, Black-on-Black Love
Story</A>
<LI><A HREF="http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=3688&ISBN=1555833721" TARGET="_blank">Second Time Around</A>

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Not all rap or hip-hop groups base their bass on bigotry. As with the
activist-oriented Rage Against the Machine in the rock world, a
politically focused, leftist, pro-feminist, and even pro-gay aesthetic
has proven to enrich the power of hip-hop music.
 
Rainbow Flava is one of a few fiercely out rap groups, empowering the term
"fag" by using it themselves. Others, like Me'shell Ndegeocello, use provocative lyrics to make people rethink
their own bigotry rather than providing a soundtrack for it.
 
From San Francisco to New York to Milan, openly gay and politically
active groups, performing in a variety of languages, have
found support and a fan base. Here are a few gay or gay-friendly hip-hop
artists worth your attention:

<LI><A HREF="http://www.spearheadvibrations.com/" TARGET="_blank">Michael Franti</A> 
Although no longer in the duo Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, San
Franciscobased Michael Franti -- known for his progressive lyrics
and for producing similar groups -- now fronts the group Spearhead. D.H.H.'s notable "The Language of Violence" chillingly recounts a gay basher's fate in jail.
 
<LI><A HREF="http://www.soleluna.interbusiness.it/" TARGET="_blank">Giovanni Jovanotti</A> 
Jovanotti (a.k.a. "Lorenzo"), an Italian rapper who's worked with Michael Franti, is not gay, but his
songs can be heard in the gay Italian film L'uomini, L'uomini,
L'uomini (Men, Men, Men).

<LI><A HREF="http://www.rainbowflava.com/" TARGET="_blank">Rainbow Flava</A> 
Openly gay, cogender rap group

<LI><A HREF="http://www.io.com/~larrybob/queenpen.html" TARGET="_blank">Queen Pen</A> 
A songstress who's outspoken about human rights 
<A HREF="http://www.addict.com/html/lofi/Reviews/44.1kHz/Queen_Pen/My_Melody.html" TARGET="_blank">Listen to Queen Pen</A>

<LI><A HREF="http://www.morplay.com/" TARGET="_blank">Morplay</A> 
Low-key duo with a cool site

<LI><A HREF="http://www.contentconduit.com/cd_pages/pretensions.htm" TARGET="_blank">Juba Kalamka</A> 
With-it vocalist

<LI><A HREF="http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archive/music/98/04/23/CELLARS_BY_STARLIGHT.html"
TARGET="_blank">Double Dong</A> 
Gay comedy rap!

<LI><A HREF="http://www.mistermaker.com/" TARGET="_blank">Mistermaker</A> 
Hiphop alternative site

<LI><A HREF="http://www.italianrap.com" TARGET="_blank">Italian Rap Site</A> 
Bills itself as the only English-language Web site devoted to Italian hip-hop

<LI><A HREF="http://www.radiocatch.com/" TARGET="_blank">Radiocatch</A> 
Alternative Sexuality Broadcasting