"Too queer for the straight world; too straight for the queer one," spits New York-based rapper F. Virtue on his 2016 single, "License and Registration." The underground artist--real name Will Kowall--wrestles openly with identity on his Factor Chandelier-produced track, unraveling diary-like rhymes above a nostalgic, low-key instrumental. "There's no definition; call it what you want, but we'll prove time and time again the names you give are wrong," he says, knocking holes in social categorizations.
In the Ross Louis Klein-directed video, an undercover police officer, played by Johnny Sagan, pulls over a group of individuals in a car, as they step out one-by-one in opposition of his authority. Embodying a diverse spread of race, sexuality and gender identity, the five confident characters flaunt incredible ambiguity, highlighting the power of nuance in personal presentation and a complete disregard for labels. The wide-eyed, newly woke officer flees the scene, returning to his car to put on some red lipstick of his own--a statement about expression and the power of visibilty to help foster self-acceptance.
Watch F. Virtue's "License and Registration," and learn more about the artist's new release, below.
