Khalil Amani in DJ Kayslay’s “Straight Stuntin Magazine!”

Okay folks! So as I’ve mentioned earlier, DJ Kayslay and I had a righteous debate about gays and lesbians doing hip-hop, which landed me an article in his magazine.. Well, the magazine’s out and I’m on the cover! I’m effin’ stoked—off the meter with excitement and anticipation about receiving my copy! Never in my wildest dreams did I think my blogging and advocacy for gays would get this kind of attention, so I’m honored and humbled for the chance to speak my truth to mainstream hip-hop heads.

Being in the LA Times was cool. Being in Spin Magazine was great! But this right hurrrr? This is some black-on-black validation! There is nothing greater than being recognized by your peers. Thank you Kayslay!

DJ Kayslay has to have a set of balls on him for putting me in his magazine! I just hope that he doesn’t encounter the hate that I deal with—Internet speaking. (In the streets, I’m good!) And shout-out to Hoodgrownonline.com and its visionary leader, Cartel, for having me write for his site—an honor beyond measure!

And don’t get it twisted—it’s not so much that Cartel and DJ Kayslay are “homo-friendly.” It’s more that they have an understanding of where hip-hop’s true spirit rests—with the voiceless, the disenfranchised, the marginalized, those who can “keep it real” at all cost! They are allowing the people to decide what hip-hop voices should be heard, while putting their own personal biases to the side. It’s all about public discourse and the sharing of ideas!
No censorship!

Like I’ve said before, even I have homophobic issues! Even I wrestle with calling a mofo a faggot! This is the culture we’ve been raised in—to be homophobic!

Hip-hop has so many voices and gay hip-hop is one of them. Hopefully, a day will come when there will be no need for labels such as “gay hip-hop.” That is my utopian hope.

To my haters, my fellow bloggers (*Byron Crawford, I’m waiting for your fifth blog about me. Lol! Shelby Powell, keep taking me to task. You’re so insightful! Glock DeNiro, thanks for being the mouthpiece of hip-hop homophobia. It is because of you that I started blogging in the first place! Real talk, respect nigga! , the “out/gay” hip-hop community—thank you for accepting my voice [even though I got some haters among you too! WTF? & SMH!]) and my readers—I value your support, comments, and criticisms. I am humbled. Peace & blessings.