I was honored and blessed last weekend (June 21)! I walked the Red Carpet at the Pick Up The Mic DVD release party in Los Angeles, California. (*There is YouTube video footage of my interview at Outhiphop.com under “Ghettoviews.”)
I didn’t know so many people knew me! I felt like a real star! It was “lights, camera, action,” as I sauntered up to the Red Carpet looking like a ghetto Prince in my poet shirt—inebriated lak-a-mug!
Khalil Amani taking questions on the Red Carpet.
While on the Red Carpet I was interviewed by several people, most notably this big, Amazonian tranny named Alize Jenkins, the host of Ghettoviews, who engaged me in some light-hearted banter about black men and our love of big asses versus tits. That alcohol had me talking crazy!
I had a chance to show off DJ Kayslay’s “Straight Stuntin Magazine” and the article I wrote, “Why Gay Hip-hop?” and let those asking the questions know that I was indeed the straight representative of gay hip-hop and that I’m pushing for the first gay rapper to cross over into the mainstream.
Pick Up The Mic is a movie, which came out in 2006 documenting the “queer,” “out” hip-hop movement, commonly called “homo-hop.” Directed by Alex Hinton, this 95 minute movie exposes the world to gay and lesbian rappers and their quests to be heard.
Clearly talented, many of these gay rappers could lyrically stomp a mud-hole in the average radio-friendly rapper. But because of their sexuality, they have been relegated to second-class hip-hop status—simply because they choose to “keep it real” and not hide their sexual orientation.
(Lt. to rt.) Chicago gay rapper Johnny Dangerous, film director Alex Hinton, Khalil Amani, gay rapper manager Camilo.
Prior to me finding the Gay Hip-hop Movement I hadn’t heard of this movie or many of its major players. I had a chance to watch the movie when I came home and if you’re a real fan of hip-hop, this is a must-see movie! It actually reminds me of the various documentaries I’ve seen on the advent of straight hip-hop/rap—honest, raw, passionate, and truthful—what hip-hop used to be before the commercialization/takeover by corporate America. I suppose that one day when someone realizes that there is a market for gay rap, it too, will be swallowed up by “The Machine.”
If you can get passed the fact that this movie is about gay people who love hip-hop, you might find some commonality in their struggles and the struggles of many of us straight heads who grew up in the ‘hood loving hip-hop and rap music. Pick Up The Mic will go down in the annals of hip-hop history as a groundbreaking treatise on a subgenre of hip-hop.
I finally got a chance to eat at LA’s famed “Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles!” Oh man! I see what all the hype is about—waffles that are nice and hot, served with a big hunk of butter and crispy chicken breastises that are piping hot! Ummm good! My only dilemma was should I drink milk with my waffles or soda with my chicken? I settled for milk and a tall glass of water. I had a beautiful thick-thighed redbone waitress that I could’ve sopped up with a biscuit! Roscoe’s is a haven for black women who wanna get their eat on!
While I was in Los Angeles I took a tour of the stars’ homes and visited Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame” and looked at the stars’ names on the sidewalk. Of all the many famous people on that sidewalk I only snapped two pictures—Queen Latifah’s and Michael Jackson’s star. Wouldn’t you know it that just four days later, Michael passed away! Michael Jackson’s music was incredible and his musical legacy/genius/artistry/stage presence is one that the world may never see in another performer for many years to come! R..I.P. Michael Jackson, the King of Pop.
Well, it’s off to New York in July where I’ll be attending DJ Kayslay’s party and spending some quality time with the wifey sightseeing the Big Apple. One!
I like being me! lol!
I just had an ephipany writing this blog…
I really like who I am and what I’m doing! Despite the two haterz that constantly talk trash to me.
I have an exciting life… a life that a lot of people wished they had… great children, a loving wife, people all around the world that follow what I represent. So why do I feel the need to go back and forth with two losers (Glock & Mpho)? They mean nothing to me and are nobodies in the grand scheme of my life and my message.
I say all this to say that from hence forth, I will endure the hate WITHOUT responding back to the negativity.
True… it’s entertaining and I love to argue, but the reality is that I’m PROACTIVE and they’re REACTIVE! I would hate to live a life (such as their’s) where I am so OUTRAGED at an idea (like gay rights) that I make it my business to diss the person bringing the message of inclusion. This must be how some white folks felt during the 50′s when talk of integration was everywhere. Folks pissed off that their rule over black people was coming to an end.
We can cite the Bible as “proof” that God hates homosexuals, but the reality is that the Bible is an antiquated (old) source, which has been tampered with (ad nauseam) and that much of what is written was for a particular time, place, and people. It would be the same as if we opened up a Chinese sacred text and tried to make it fit into our 21st Century American lifestyle.
The Bible is open to INTERPRETATION and this is the reason we have so many “denomination” and “sects”… because everybody sees something different!
The HISTORICAL reason why homosexuality was condemned in the Old Testament was because sex (in any form) was rooted in religious practice! Sex, in ancient times, was seen as the ultimate show of religious worship! They understood that “sex” produced “life.”
When the ancient Jews wandered around and came into contact with other people, who were far more religiously sophisticated then themselves, they naturally wanted to incorporate the religious practices of these people (who were Goddess worshippers that used sex as religious worship).
The Jewish priests were enraged by the Jews practicing Goddess (sex) worship and got busy with pen and paper and started writing laws stating, “God said man who lies with man shall be put to death!” But it wasn’t God talking! It was the priests… arduously trying to prevent their people from engaging in the worship of foreign religions!
This is the historic truth! Go research it!
Remember hearing that masturbation will cause you to go blind or get hairy palms? These myths are supposed to discourage the youth from premartial sex and having sex before they are ready. We all know masturbation doesn’t cause blindness, else every nigga in prison would be running into walls and cell bars!
Our parents wanted us to NOT engaged in sex until we were old enough. And so it was with the writings of the ancient Levitical priests… they wrote these laws against homosexuality to PREVENT the WORSHIP OF THE GODDESS! Not because sex between two men was wrong! And because they forged God’s signature, we, today, believe that God condemned gays when the historical reality is that MEN wrote those things and lied on God!
You don’t hear me though! I dare you to research this shit!
This is why/how I became and advocate for gays. Not because I’m “downlow”, “gay” or a “faggot lover!” I’m taking a stand because I realize I’ve been religiously lied to! I understand what is “man’s interpolating/interpretation” and what’s truly from God when I study/read the Bible! Unlike the religiously ignorant, who are herded together through organized religion, I am a free-thinker! God IS NOT a Christian, Muslim or Jew! God is greater/bigger than all of our petty religions and shits on the idea that HE/SHE can be understood in the context of a “religion!”
So… there is a method to my madness! Haters, do what you were born to do… hate! But I dare you to pick up a book and this stuff! You might become one of my disciples!
Your first comment on ur own blog was to yourself! lol. Nigga You Gay!!
thanks for checkin’ on me! much love!