Which rapper came out of the closet

Several famous rappers and hip-hop stars are members of the LGBT community. Many of these rappers are gay, but some identify as asexual, pansexual, and bisexual as well. Others are included in this list for their gender identities, such as agender, gender-fluid, and transgender. Several of the gay and lesbian rappers on this list are pioneers in the homo hip-hop music scene.

Who is the most famous gay rapper? Azealia Banks tops our list. Azealia Banks is openly bisexual, but she caught a lot of flak from the LGBT community when she used the f-word to describe Perez Hilton. Deadlee is a key player in the homo hip-hop music scene. He married his partner in 2013. Frank Ocean revealed his same-sex love with the song "Thinkin Bout You." Angel Haze is self-described as pansexual and came out as agender.

Are you surprised that so many rappers are gay? Are any of your favorite 2020 hip hop songs by LGBT artists? Take a look at this list and share your thoughts in the comments section.

• Lil Nas X

  Photo: Columbia

  On World Pride Day 2019, rapper Lil Nas X posted the video for his song "C7osure," writing, "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y'all to listen closely to c7osure," along with a rainbow emoji. 

  The single includes lyrics like, "Ain't no more actin', man that forecast say I should just let me grow/No more red light for me baby, only green, I gotta go/Pack my past up in the back, oh, let my future take ahold/This is what I gotta do, can't be regrettin' when I'm old" and "True say, I want and I need to let go, use my time to be free." 

  Lil Nas X followed up the initial tweet with photos of his album artwork and a closeup of a rainbow building in the background, writing, "Deada** thought I made it obvious."

  • Age: 20
  • Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia

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• ILoveMakonnen

  Photo: user uploaded image

  Rapper iLoveMakonnen told his more than 130,000 Twitter followers he was gay in January 2017. "And since y'all love breakign news, here's some old news to break, I'm gay," he wrote. "And now I've told u about my life, maybe u can go life [sic] yours."

  He said through his account that as a fashion icon, he thought it was time he come out and embrace himself. 

  • Birthplace: Los Angeles, California

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• Azealia Banks

  Photo: Tim Boddy / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

  Azealia Banks is openly bisexual, but she caught a lot of flak from the LGBT community when she used the f-word to describe Perez Hilton.

  • Age: 31

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• Frank Ocean

  Photo: aktivioslo / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0

  In 2012, Frank Ocean opened up about his sexuality in a Tumblr post. At the end of the post, he said he felt like a "free man."

  Today, the International Day against LGBTphobia acts as a reminder of the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA people around the world.

  To mark IDAHOT 2022, Madame Rap would like to remind you that hip hop can also be a beautiful place for LGBTQIA artists to express themselves, create and thrive. Check out our video of 35 male rappers who identify as gay and bisexual!

  https://madamerap.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/35-RAPPEURS-GAYS-V2.mp4

   

  With:

  • Todrick Hall (Texas/Los Angeles, USA)
  • Kevin Abstract (Los Angeles, USA)
  • iLoveMakonnen (Los Angeles, USA)
  • Deadlee (Los Angeles, USA)
  • Jipsta (New York, USA)
  • Le1f (New York, USA)
  • Cakes da Killa (New York, USA)
  • Zebra Katz (New York, USA /Berlin Germany)
  • Big Freedia (New Orleans, USA)
  • Chris Conde (San Antonio, USA)
  • BabiBoi (Austin, USA)
  • Fly Young Red (Houston, USA)
  • Big Dipper (Chicago, USA)
  • Taylor Bennett (Chicago, USA)
  • Lil Nas X (Georgia, USA)
  • Slutashia (Oregon, USA)
  • Y-Love (Baltimore, USA)
  • Big Momma (Florida, USA)
  • Cazwell (Worchester, USA)
  • Mista Strange (London, UK)
  • Qboy (London, UK)
  • Karnage Kills (London, UK)
  • James Indigo (London, UK)
  • Kevin Fret (†) (Puerto Rico)
  • Guigo (Brazil)
  • Murillo Zyess (Brazil)
  • Umlilo (Johannesburg, South Africa)
  • Keabruh&Jay.B (Johannesburg, South Africa)
  • Ariel Kelly (Dominican Republic)
  • SailorFag (Mexico)
  • Damjan Loš (Belgrade, Serbia)
  • G3sha (Singapore)
  • Aquinas (South Korea)
  • Dibby Sounds (Geneva, Switzerland)
  • Lapsuceur (France)

  To date, Madame Rap lists 344 LGBTQIA rappers, including 55 gay and bisexual male rappers.

  Who was the first rapper to come out?

  Coke La Rock is known for being the first rapper to ever spit rhymes after teaming up with DJ Kool Herc in 1973 and both are recognized as the original founding fathers of Hip Hop. Rap music was originally underground.

  Who was the 1st hip hop rapper?

  One of the first rappers at the beginning of the hip hop period, at the end of the 1970s, was also hip hop's first DJ, DJ Kool Herc. Herc, a Jamaican immigrant, started delivering simple raps at his parties, which some claim were inspired by the Jamaican tradition of toasting.

  Who is the king of rapper of all time?

  No other rapper has had the same level of consistency as Jay-Z. Listening to Jay-Z is like listening to a man who has lived his life to the fullest and has a lot of experiences to share. He's the richest American musician. Jay-z has won 22 Grammy awards and is also one of the highest-selling artists.

  Who was the first black rapper?

  Blow's musical legacy is without question. Born Kurtis Walker in 1959, Blow, who turns 60 on Aug. 9, was the first rapper to sign with a major label and the first to become a mainstream star.