US
2006
94 minutes
Director: Alex Hinton

Queer Hip-Hop or Homohop -- no matter what label is attached to queer rappers, their explosive lyrics, pulsating beats and fervent talent is cementing today’s message of gays and the hip-hop culture.

Tracing back to 1989 and the godfathers of gay rap like Dutchboy and Juba Kalamka of the legendary group Rainbow Flava, to the hottest queer artists of today like Johnny Dangerous and God-Des (who was featured in “The L Word”), this fascinating and electrifying documentary breaks down stereotypes and dissects the subversive ideas and social consciousness of gay artists. Fundamentally, hip-hop is a culture of people saying what’s on their mind, and these bold rappers take back the hate by creating intense, shocking and unbridled lyrics, and throwing it back in the faces of their homophobic perpetrators. All of their empowering stories deftly unfold. Katastrophe is a transman whose exciting, tongue-twisting style and personal journey both empowers and ignites audiences. JenRO rocks the mic with whirlwind, tour-de-force lyrics about life and, of course, her ladies. Self-proclaimed faggot MC Johnny Dangerous is a controversial and outrageous talent, definitely one artist who is rapidly skyrocketing in the hip-hop industry. Director Alex Hinton spins diverse opinions like Deadlee’s fierce opening lyrics to “No Fags Allowed” and Miss Money’s razor sharp comment, “I’m a hip hop artist who’s gay. I don’t do ‘gay’ hip hop,” into a raw, real and electrifying exploration of the diverse world of queer hip-hop. – Kelly Burkhardt