The LGBTQ+ community has been making its mark on the hip-hop world since the 1980s, defying gender norms and using music to express their sexuality. However, this journey has not been without its struggles. Many LGBTQ+ performers have faced harassment and misconceptions not only from fans but also from within the music industry.
In recent years, the rise of queer artists like Lil Nas X, Cardi B, and Frank Ocean has contributed to greater acceptance by mainstream audiences. The new generation of performers finds more opportunities to embrace their sexuality through their music.
Saucy Santana, also known as Justin Harris, is one such artist who fearlessly embraces his identity. He believes that the LGBTQ+ community holds significant influence, although it is not always given the forefront it deserves. “Gays really just have so much influence and people don’t really want to put that in the forefront, so I feel like that’s my job,” Saucy Santana stated in an interview with ABC News Live.
Saucy Santana’s performances, characterized by explicit sexual lyrics and imagery, have not been met with rejection by the hip-hop community. He proudly affirms, “I came in gay, and I came in swinging.” Drawing from his experiences growing up predominantly surrounded by women, the rapper raps from a female standpoint, connecting with audiences on a deeper level.
Despite progress, challenges persist. When Saucy Santana collaborated with rapper IDK on the single “Pinot Noir,” the latter received backlash on social media from users expressing anti-LGBTQ+ views. However, Saucy Santana stood strong, asserting that their collaboration was not about anyone’s sexuality but about challenging fear and prejudice.
Queer hip-hop artists have been a vital part of the genre since the 80s, and they continue to leave their mark on the music scene. In the 2000s, “bounce” style hip-hop gained popularity in New Orleans, spotlighting LGBTQ++ artists like Big Freedia, who identifies as nonbinary. Their success has paved the way for others in the bounce music culture, inspiring inclusivity and representation.
While the acceptance of LGBTQ+ artists has grown, stereotypes and biases still persist within the industry. Snow Tha Product, a bisexual Mexican-American rapper, has been vocal about encountering negative connotations and comments regarding open queer sexuality, particularly towards women rappers. In response, she actively removed the male gaze from her music video “Piña,” highlighting the importance of queer representation.
Snow Tha Product is proud of the space she has created for her community and aims to inspire other queer artists. Her music and activism are a response to the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces, as she states, “We had a whole president literally sitting there disrespecting our people. So, to me, I’m just like, ‘Well, then I’m gonna be loud about the same way that I’m glad about being gay.'”
As LGBTQ+ hip-hop artists break down barriers and redefine the beat, their impact on the music industry and society at large continues to grow. Their courage, authenticity, and determination inspire change, fostering a more inclusive and accepting space for future generations of queer artists.