LGBTQ+ MUSICIANS ON THE RISE

The LGBTQ+ community is home to some of the most creative artists that are constantly revolutionizing their space. Music has always been a way for people to connect with each other, which is why this article is a perfect fit for the CTXYZ Community page.
I interviewed 5 artists from across the U.S. that are creating some amazing and unique music!

READ MORE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL ARTICLE FT. KNOX, ZAUL, MIKEY COOK, + MORE!

KNOX

Who / what inspired you to start making music?
the idea of being able to influence a mood or set a personal soundtrack to a feeling, a memory, a moment in time – i think the overall power that music has over us as human beings is what truly inspired and continues to inspire me as an artist.
 
music is love, it is pain, it is curiosity and happiness – i feel like it's incredible influence is sometimes overlooked because of how conditioned we are to have it just exist and be what it is since it’s always been, but it means that and so much more to me personally.
 
my parents have always been influenced by music for as long as i could remember – i grew up listening to Radiohead, Coldplay, Gorillaz, Seal, Mana, Aventura, Bob Marley – Alicia Keys was my very first concert as a kid at the Radio City Music Hall. i’ve had an inkling for the art of sound since forever, and i’m thankful that i’ve channeled my love for it to become what a passion it is today.
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Besides music, how else do you like to express yourself creatively?

creatively, i love to write. whether it be poetry or random thoughts i have that i write out in a performative or generally specific way. i’m very passionate about photography, i love to paint (even though i’m not very good at it) and to sketch. i guess all of the arts that aren’t instrumental, because i’d just never learned to play anything! Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga do inspire me to want to learn to play the piano though.

Is your sexuality something that’s important to you as an artist?

my sexuality is very important to me as an individual, therefore i also do believe it holds significant weight in my work and as an artist as well. having come out about two years ago with my first boyfriend, i still am finding my own comfortability and place in the world and in this industry of predominately heterosexual, mainstream male artists as a queer man – although i have been queer my entire life. living your truth unapologetically is a very different experience and quality of life than living within yourself and from a place of insecurity and sometimes denial or shame. i continue to every day own who i am and express myself through my works in ways that i feel are truly genuine, effortless, and most importantly, true to who i am as an artist, as well as a queer person.
 
What motivates you to keep making music?

having been lost in the world for so long, not really feeling like i belonged anywhere, writing, recording, and singing my songs is what brings me more happiness than i had ever found in anything else i've aimlessly chased after in the pursuit of fulfillment. i don't want to sound like i've been alive long, i'm only 25, but oh man, i know what it feels like to feel empty, unfulfilled – not to have a reason to get out of bed or to feel as though you're living for others, rather than for yourself. i have dreams that are so big, that they scare me sometimes – i often feel so small, insignificant, un-talented.. i'm in this constant battle with my own negative thoughts and inner-saboteur literally every single day, and defeating those ideas of doubt and self-consciousness is the core reason for why i strive to water myself, my happiness, and the dreams of this big-headed little Dominican boy from Washington Heights.

With so many LGBTQ+  voices in the media, how do you plan on using your platform to advocate for the community?
 
i feel like in this climate of insensitivity and an uninformed public, with so many new concepts, ideas and ways to identify yourself becoming more and more relatable within the LGBTQ+, we are subject to ignorance, which sprouts from misinformation as well as overall misrepresentation. aside from just wanting to candidly speak on these issues of how we choose to be identified or referred to, i also look forward to being a Latino / Dominican / Cuban artist and advocate for such a distinguished and proud group of individuals who live unapologetically and genuinely.

FOLLOW KNOX ON INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH HIS MUSIC JOURNEY!
@KNOXMURDOCK

ZAUL

ZAUL -- SHOT BY: @jamesantphotos

Who/what inspired you to start making music?

A big thing that inspired me to start making music was the artistic freedom of being able to express my emotions in a way where i could connect to others without the fear of having anyone to judge me.

What are some personal experiences that have influenced your musicality?

My life to say the least, along with love and how much I’ve grown from bad experiences that shaped me into the person and artist I am today.

Has being queer affected your journey as an artist? How?

Yes, definitely along with my creative ideas and plans. Certain things are still not accepted  or viewed as taboo amongst close minded individuals, which kind of puts a queer artist in an unbalanced type pedestal. It’s more of a, you can hit or miss.

FOLLOW ZAUL ON INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH HIS MUSIC JOURNEY!
@ZAULMK

MIKEY COOK

As a queer artists, do you have the LGBTQ+ audiences in mind when writing?

I actually do, I usually sing about girls, but since I am bisexual I try to keep it gender neutral so people can sing along about anyone that might like, boy or girl. I also write mostly about my life and the things that I go through.

What motivates you to keep making music?

Honestly my friends, they hype me up so much, they are my biggest critiques and they are real with me which helps me continue to make real music.

With so many LGBTQ+  voices in the media, how do you plan on using your platform to advocate for the community?

At some point in the near future I will be making a song about my sexuality, and hopefully it will connect to those who are just like me, and let them know they aren't the only ones out there.

FOLLOW MIKEY COOK ON INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH HIS MUSIC JOURNEY!
@MIKEY.COOK

SEV7EN TAYLOR

Who/what inspired you to start making music?

I always knew I had a place in music; I started writing music between 8-9 years old. I always loved the ability to tell stories through music. As the later years came I was star-struck hard by the likes of Nicki Minaj, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim , Biggie , Jay-z and Missy. I loved everything about what they did and it inspired me to put my fears aside and put out my first song  " Chi- Haven" in 2015 ( which went lowkey viral and sadly I removed it from the internet.) From there I continued to grow, switched my flow and released various bodies of work.

Has being queer affected your journey as an artist? How?

I think it has in some ways; not all being negative narratives. But I just have to prove myself 10x harder than someone that has "cis gender privileges". They know the kid can spit and I get busy with the pen. It's just some people are closed minded and there's some that openly give me my credit as a MC. Positive is giving younger artists that space to find identification and opening doors for them.

What are some personal experiences that have influenced your musicality?

Just seeing people being doubtful and then I proved them wrong. I remember coming into the rap game and having so many people coming at me; because I had talent and it took me time to learn that. I always showed love and supported others. Because I have what it takes to be the next superstar; everyone isn't going to like or root for you. Still continue to be the BEST YOU. I think longevity with everything I do and I know I will go down in history as one of the greats. Meetings/ deals  will happen because of me. We are very marketable individuals and we can't keep faking our authentic truths when it comes to the industry.
I'm just getting started and there's so much work to do.
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Thank you so much for the interview. Readers can find my new single here: https://soundcloud.com/tre-vaughn-taylor/spaceships 

Also my debut album "Boys Just Wanna Have Fun." on all major platforms!

FOLLOW SEV7EN TAYLOR ON INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH HIS MUSIC JOURNEY!
@SEV7ENTAYLOR

ROMARIUS

Who/what inspired you to start making music?

Omg, I remember the day I knew I wanted to be an entertainer! My dad was a rapper in Chicago and my older cousins were also rappers so Ii was always around the studio and music but the moment I knew I wanted to sing was watching purple rain at like 4 years old ...the music and arrangements were so amazing..magical

Besides music, how else do you like to express yourself creatively?

Maaaan I do so much!! I'm a true artist...I'm a dancer trained in modern, jazz, hip hop, and a bit of tap. I do photography, videography, I can whip up an outfit with a sewing machine ... I consider myself a modern-day renaissance man because of the skills and training I have acquired...hit me up im the plug for creatives lol

Is your sexuality something that’s important to you as an artist?

I feel like my sexuality isn't as important as people make it out to be..don't get me wrong I love who I am fully and wholeheartedly but I want the world to feel me ...when im writing i'll specifically make a song for straight men , then ill make a song that clearly is coming from a gay mans perspective, and also a woman's i think that's the beauty of us queer artists we have both masculine and feminine traits so we see the world through the scope of everyone gay straight and bi etc..we genuinely identify with everyone one way or another.

FOLLOW ROMARIUS ON INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH HIS MUSIC JOURNEY!
@IAMROMARIUS