A Line: About Phat Family

Phat Family is an international organization of artists, writers and fans interested in exploring issues related to hip-hop music and culture and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identity. We produce music and events featuring independent LGBT hip-hop artists from throughout the U.S. and Europe, and moderate an online mailing list for discussion of hip-hop and alternative sexual identities.

I started Phat Family in 1998 as a loose collective/cipher/crew/content conduit for all of my music, organizing and promotional activities around Homo Hop. Since then, countless artists, fans and friends have contributed their music, thoughts, ideas and efforts to the group, and our future projects will undoubtedly reflect those efforts
^top^

What is Homo Hop?

Homo Hop is one of many terms coined to refer to the growing presence and collective identity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people involved in hip-hop culture. It is not so much a sound or a “scene” as a particular approach to music, business and community. Like any word used to classify art or artists, it is inherently flawed, but remains useful to those of us who see our sexual or gender identities as legitimate sources of artistic inspiration and fellow feeling.

By identifying as Homo Hop artists, we testify that our insights and shared experiences as LGBT people are unique, valuable and relevant to our expression in this highly personal art form. Homo Hop shrugs aside the labels “out,” “closeted,” “queer,” “DL” or “SGL” and validates the experience of those who love hip-hop and are sexually different, regardless of how they might choose to identify in the larger society.

To me, Homo Hop is hip-hop boiled down to its essence: blunt expression, individual and collective identity and sexuality. Homo Hop is just another generation of b-boys and b-girls who Keep It Real and say FUCK YOU to those who would censor or control our expression. Homo Hop is not about infiltrating or integrating hip-hop, but in engaging in hip-hop’s elements with our full selves. Homo Hop is not about tearing down hip-hop but building a home for ourselves within it. Homo Hop is the future even though it has been here all along.
^top^

What is Phat Family Records?

Phat Family Records began as a DIY record label to put out Rainbow Flava records. After the group disbanded in 2001, the focus was shifted to producing compilation CDs featuring top unsigned Homo Hop and homo-friendly artists from around the world, with all proceeds going to LGBT charitable organizations. The compilation series is now in its fourth volume and has helped artists in various U.S. and European cities to connect and collaborate, as well as exposed LGBT music fans and the media to the broadest possible spectrum of Homo Hop music.
^top^

How can I get in touch with gay rappers for the article/show/panel/CD/film/paper I’m working on?

It’s a World Wide Web out there. Almost all the artists on Phat Family have websites and most of them contain an e-mail contact form for you to get in touch with them. Some artists take more time to respond than others so please be patient. Also, no one artist can speak for the entire Homo Hop community so it’s a good idea to contact several artists to get as balanced a perspective as possible.

How can I get in touch with other LGBT hip-hop fans?

The best way to connect with artists and fans around the country is by signing up for the phat-family mailing list, a Yahoo Group with over 250 members. It is a private, moderated, spam-free place to discuss topics related to hip-hop and homosexuality. To subscribe, send e-mail to phat-family-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
^top^

How can I find out about upcoming Phat Family releases and events?

In addition to the phat-family discussion list, we also have an events list which we use for announcements of upcoming shows, CD releases, and other news of interest. To subscribe, send e-mail to phat-family-events-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
^top^

How can I get involved with Phat Family?

We get this question a lot, but the answer isn’t really that simple. Although we do produce music and events, Phat Family isn’t a promoter or record label in the traditional sense. We do not manage or “sign” artists per se, and we lack the financial resources to help new Homo Hop artists get their projects off the ground. Mostly we can help put you in touch with other performers, DJs and studios, and if you have recorded material we may be able to feature you in one of our events or on a compilation.

Having said that, we are always interested in hearing from other LGBT performers and fans, and if you have an idea or project in which you’d like our input feel free to get in touch. Right now we are particularly interested in hearing from LGBT artists with a political focus, transgender artists, and spoken word performers interested in dropping verse over hip-hop beats. Better yet, talk to us about something we haven’t thought of yet.