West Coast rapper Kreayshawn recently discussed the hot topic of gay musicians in the entertainment business and why Frank Ocean has led the way for more artists to come out.
Kreay predicted a closeted rap artist could potentially come out as early as 2013.
“I could see it definitely within the next year. It could either be someone who’s already big coming out or somebody who was already out and just climbs to the top. Honestly, I don’t know if I could see the industry signing somebody who’s already openly gay because they’d be like, “I don’t know how to market that.” I have friends who are gay and trying to get into the industry and feel like [they can’t]. … I think there’s just gotta be more people in the industry who want to say what Frank Ocean said. He can’t be the only one. Hopefully just more people come out and it becomes more obvious that, look, this is just how it is.” (Salon)
Odd Future’s Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt spoke on Ocean’s announcement last week.
You didn’t really expect Odd Future to address Ocean’s revelation that he once carried on a love affair with a man with any seriousness did you? “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” bellowed Tyler. “I think it’s crazy that that n—a likes bagels like that; for the longest he was frontin’,” said Earl, who had just finished twirling around in the swivel chair he was seated in. “We’d go to the store like, ‘N—a do you want some bagels?’ and He’ll be like, ‘I don’t f— with bagels.’ ” In part, bagels is a euphemism for boys, even if the gag got twisted at times during the conversation. (MTV)
R&B singer Omarion has also stood up for the Odd Future crooner.
“It feels good when you can be honest, you can walk around with things that you don’t have to carry around anymore,” said Omarion. “And I feel like it might have been a burden for him. I feel like he can walk around and feel happy about who he is now. Anyone that has something they need to get off their chest, I respect.” (Rap-Up)
Recently, Ocean revealed the truth behind releasing his open letter on Independence Day.
He said that his open letter was written in December 2011 with a view to include it in the album sleeve notes in order to pre-empt speculation that might arise from some of its songs addressing men. “I knew that I was writing in a way that people would ask questions,” he said. “I knew that my star was rising, and I knew that if I waited I would always have somebody that I respected be able to encourage me to wait longer, to not say it till who knows when.” The Odd Future member also downplayed the risk in his coming out. “People are just afraid of things too much … Sure, evil exists, extremism exists. Somebody could commit a hate crime and hurt me. But they could do the same just because I’m black. They could do the same just because I’m American.” (Guardian)