The gay rapper takes on antigay Republicans and so much more in his politically charged lyrics
February 11 2014 10:55 AM EST
February 05 2015 9:27 PM EST
MikelleStreet
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Photography by Therese + Joel
LastO is a perfectionist, and it's that perfectionism that kept the St. Louis-born, New York-based gay rapper working on his latest album, Where's Vivian, for four years -- that and his uncompromising spirit. "I do not conform to the industry standards," he says, "the usual rhetoric of guns, drug selling, and thug shit." The result of his meticulous efforts and hard-nosed vision is a set of tracks that sound more confident than his previous work as Last Offence, but still retain his playful, hedonistic streak. See, for example, "Pour a 40," with its dark, serial killer-inspired video, or "Travel Planz," an infectious, spring break-ready party jam that features the line "Miami in May / Labor Day in Atlanta." Other cuts dive into deeper, more political territory, with "Barcelon" taking on antigay Republicans and the spin on FOX News. "I had a lot of things to express," he says. And now that he's gotten all that off his chest, he's ready to forge ahead full-throttle. Says the MC, "You'll never get another four-year hiatus out of me."
LISTEN TO: Where's Vivian (out now)
FOR FANS OF: A$AP Rocky, Eminem, Le1f
Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.