“The umbrella term of 'queer' isn't really a part of my vocabulary. But, you know, if that's how people want to label it, that's fine — as long as they're listening.”
Source: vimeo.com
Don't be fooled by the flowers and sweet face. "I spit that shit that make a homophobe a hypocrite," raps Cakes Da Killa on a track from his second EP The Eulogy, a follow-up to his 2011 debut, Easy Bake Oven. The 22 year-old rapper spoke with BuzzFeed about his approach to making art and why he's not looking to be the next "queer rap icon."
What is it about rap, in particular, that allows you to open up onstage?
I think it's the competitiveness of rap that allows me to open up because I do want to be respected as a lyricist foremost. It's also that people were looking at me as an underdog. And not just because I'm a gay rapper. I was getting that from other gay rappers too. I like being the odd man out so I can meet the odds and then go above and beyond them.
This is a really interesting moment for hip-hop and LGBT rappers. From Azealia Banks to Zebra Katz to Big Freedia to Myyka Blanco and of course your music. Where do you see yourself in the midst of this moment?
To finally get to a point where hetereosexual rappers aren't the only ones getting press is amazing. But as far as queerness — personally, I don't consider myself to be queer or a queer artist. The umbrella term of "queer" isn't really a part of my vocabulary. But, you know, if that's how people want to label it, that's fine — as long as they're listening, I guess, I shouldn't complain.
Did you always want to be a rapper?
Rap was never a place I wanted to be. Even today, I don't really consider myself a rapper. I used to write poetry, act a lot, read a lot. I like to entertain people and I like to be a bitch so if you add all that up, you get a rapper. I don't know. So, it's not me being a rapper; it's more so just me being onstage and being myself to a beat.
Do you view Cakes Da Killa as a persona or a character?
I don't like to say "persona" because that makes it seem like I'm putting on a mask. But, I guess, it did start as a persona. When I was younger, a lot of people would look at me like I was a victim. From then on, I equipped myself with different things, you know. Being a bitch, being witty, being funny. That all became my armor. So, it's not a persona so much as me knowing how to work a room and what I have to do to get want I want.
Who do you consider your rap influences?
If I had to have rap parents, Remy Martin would be my mother and Cam'ron would be my father. That's the equation. Remy Martin gives me that whole "I don't give a fuck, but I really don't give a fuck" kind of stance on life. And it's very much the aggressive of, you know, I don't care if you've been in the game longer than me, I don't care if you have better clothes than me... I'm going to be the baddest bitch I can be. I get all of that from Remy. And Cam'ron is about the same thing, especially about the industry.
Have you gotten to interact with a lot of other rappers personally as you've been coming up?
I don't really mingle. I'm very introverted actually. I come across a lot of other performers when I'm doing shows at venues and through collaborations, but I'm not trying to get invited into the sorority. It's not about that for me, per se.
