Photos: VENFIELD8
Hip-hop hasn't traditionally been very welcoming to queer men. "Faggot" entered rap vernacular around the same time as "Microphone check, 1-2-1-2," but that hasn't deterred a recent wave of queer rappers from throwing their fitteds into the ring.
Related | Eating the Booty Like Groceries: Hip-Hop, Assplay and the Cult of Masculinity
Artists like OUT100 honoree Mykki Blanco, Cakes da Killa, and new Queen of New York Young M.A. are changing the game and among this growing list is Mexican-American rapper, activist, and certified hottie Robby Antonio Zumaya, aka ROB.B.
Already a prodigious producer of mixtapes, ROB.B drops his debut album Eleven Eleven today. We caught up with the 29-year-old California native to talk about the rap game, his hip-hop aspirations, and fears of a Trump presidency.
OUT: What made you want to get into hip-hop? Were you worried about how historically homophobic the genre has been and do you think that's changing?
ROB.B: For me the allure of rap music was in the escape from the real world. Coming from humble beginnings and my father's less-than-conventional career path dealing narcotics, pop music's polish never translated to my realities. I could never relate to the bubble-gum, happy-go-lucky music that often saturated radio, so ironically hip-hop became a safe haven for me, encouraging the notion that I could somehow Cinderella myself and those around me.
Being well-versed in the history of hip-hop, I was well aware of the strong presence of homophobia and hyper-masculinity that had become synonymous with the genre. It was clear from jump, the odds were stacked against my favor, and I could immediately be pegged as an easy target. Naturally, I took this into consideration, however my affinity for the music outweighed any hesitation I had, and I carried through with the decision to follow my heart on what some would consider a suicide mission. After all why would any openly LGBT artists wanting to make it make it any harder for themselves? Especially in an industry that isn't the most embracive of our community. Yet here I am ready to subject myself to a sport of wits where I am automatically considered to be less of a contender solely based on my sexuality, but there lies the beauty of my plight. The roots of hip-hop were founded on creating an outlet for the underdog by allowing the artist to use their voice as a vessel to reach out to the people who share their common adversities. And by those graces I knew I had to sacrifice my pride and any fear of scrutiny, and help pave a lane in an unwelcome territory.
I feel like the immediate reaction to me will be apprehensive and there will be a backlash in an attempt to "Iggy" me out. At that point I will have to prove myself worthy of playing what I believe is a key role in the genre's progression and longevity. I feel as though rap is currently at a crossroads in its identity, and in order for rap to remain a staple in culture it has to evolve or be left behind by the ever-changing climate of society. But in the midst of it all, this has created the perfect storm for an artist such as myself to rise. Right now I see so many promising LGBT acts on the come-up like Young M.A, Siya, and Mykki Blanco, and of course there is Frank Ocean spearheading the movement of making urban LGBT artists more visible. I love the opportunity to contribute my perspective.
Who are some of your rap influences?
ROB.B: The East Coast rap scene of the mid to late '90's helped shape the artist that I’ve grown into. Artists such as Common, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G all had a large impact on the direction of my music. But to be honest I have to credit Lil Kim and Foxy Brown for contributing the most to my fearless pursuit of the rap game. I remember listening to them conquering such gritty beats and holding their own next to their male contemporaries, stealing the show with their undeniable sex appeal, explicit tongue, and zero fucks given attitude.
What causes are you most passionate about in your activism? What do you think is the biggest problem facing the queer community today?
ROB.B: My passions honestly strike across the board, from climate change and the conservation of our planet to the epidemic of police brutality. I believe the largest threat to the queer community today can be seen in the type of hate this election has bred. We are at a pivotal point in American history, and the 2016 election has been a joke to say the least, but it is no laughing matter—real people's lives are in the balance. The gay and transgender rights movements are facing huge set backs [with] Trump [being] elected. I fear under his presidency the all-too-common ignorance-induced violence that has become routine among his supporters will directly effect the safety of LGBT youth.
Related | Gay Man Brutally Attacked By Trump Supporters on Election Night
What was the response to your mixtapes? Does your audience skew to one particular demo—gay, Latinx, etc?
ROB.B: I've been beyond blessed to have received such a positive reaction to my mixtapes. I wanted to showcase my versatility, from topics to beats, all while giving my listeners something they were familiar with. The great thing about my music so far has been the universal appeal it has unexpectedly had. I don't think I've restricted myself in pandering to one demographic, or exploiting a gimmick, and by being unapologetically myself, I inadvertently struck a cord with listeners across a large range of demographics. I’m beyond proud to say that my words have reached people and parts of the world I would have never imagined and the response I’ve received from those who identify with my music fuels my passion to continue doing what I’m doing.
What's your biggest goal with your debut album and what do you hope people will take away from it?
ROB.B: My upfront goal with any project is to pay forward any experience that has inspired my work. Be it the loss of a loved one, a break up that shook me to the core, or the self confidence to take on tomorrow. However with this EP in particular, I do want people to take away the belief that they can do anything with enough diligence. If I was able complete this project juggling two jobs and finishing my degree, while coping with my father's final days battling cancer...I want my listeners to know the only limits are the ones you set yourself.
Why'd you name your album Eleven Eleven? And what's your fave song on it?
ROB.B: The number eleven has always held a significance—my birthday is on the 11th of May and has always been my favorite number. Growing up I was often told that when the number one appears in repetition it was a sign that life is guiding you down the right path. Every track on the EP has an underlying wistfulness to it, which also made the name appropriate; be it wishing to fulfill my dreams ("Who Do You Think You Are"), wishing for the perfect partner ("ROB.B & Clyde"), wishing to have my mother back ("Closer To My Dreams"), or just wishing a motherfucker would doubt me ("701").
Out of all the tracks on this EP, or ever actually, "Closer to My Dreams" will always and forever be my favorite track. The vocals used on that piece are from a mixtape track I recorded after my mom passed, the skeleton of the lyrics are pieces from a poem I wrote for her service. Everything I do is always a reflection of my number one supporter, a nod to the women who saw my capabilities before I could ever begin to imagine them.
Eleven Eleven is available today on iTunes, Tidal, and Spotify.
READER COMMENTS (