In a quick search for new LGBTQA related music videos I stumbled upon Kevin Abstract and his 'Empty' over at Gay Music Chart. On my first viewing of his new video, I was turned on. No, not because of the imagery, but okay maybe, but I was turned onto the artist as well.
Knowing nothing about Kevin Abstract, my fingers started to do the walking. Finding a USA Today interview from February of this year, we learn a little about his drive.
He’s unsure about a lot of things, but his craft is something in which Kevin is resolute and unyielding. He takes everything – all of his doubts, his fears – and lays it out stark naked for anyone who might need it. It takes staunch commitment and no small amount of courage. “I want kids to live through this character I’ve created,” he says proudly. “I want them to say that they are Kevin Abstract because they relate to it that much.”
There’s a code, and he lives by it: “Pure honesty and creativity. 110%.” – ftw.usatoday.com
Billboard.com has also taken a notice to Abstract in mentioning the release of 'Empty,' his second single from his sophomore record American Boyfriend.
The video marked Abstract's directorial debut and nerves were high — evident through his Twitter page, when he live-tweeted the video's release minute-by-minute.
When compared to the more mellow slow-burner that is "Echo," "Empty" comes across as a more bright, uptempo track. While there are few sonic similarities between the two, one uniting thread is the helmet-wearing Abstract, who graces the cover art for "Echo" and is seen throughout both videos.
As for, "Empty," the semi-NSFW video tells "A Suburban Love Story" of a girl surprising her boyfriend only to find him engaged in a sexual act with another man. – billboard.com
Yep, the NSFW video is why you probably clicked on this entry so here it is.
Well, I guess I can see now why this was listed on the LGBTQ related music videos. Do we dare say that Abstract is LGBTQ himself? Labels. Labels are not a good thing, especially in business. Kevin touches a little bit on all of the types of labels in these excerpts from a recent dazzeddigital.com interview.
Meet The Texan Teenage Rapper Taking Over The World. Kevin Abstract has all the makings of a superstar – we spoke to him about suburbia, adolescence, and falling in love.
How did you get into making music? Did you have a creative upbringing?
Kevin Abstract: I want a Grammy. But that’s just like when I really wanted a girlfriend in high school. So when I get that Grammy, I’ll probably learn a lot about myself, and throw up all over it. No one in my family was creative. One of my sisters went to a university and pretty much most of my siblings live a basic and dull lifestyle. I don’t know why I had to be the one who chose to run away from home and figure shit out on my own. I’m building my world and universe everyday. I pick the characters, I write the script, I control the narrative. This was all meant to happen.
You started out in BROCKHAMPTON, right? Tell me a bit about that.
Kevin Abstract: I created BROCKHAMPTON in January (last year) because there are no good current boy bands. Everyone sucks. No one tries hard enough. We’ve got the tools to make art fast and cheap. Some people have made fucking incredible things because of technology and some people have made shit. Tyler Mitchell and Grimes are my favourite examples of people who have made quality because of it.
The biggest pop star in the world shouldn’t be a boring white kid from Canada – the biggest pop star in the world should be a creative black kid from Texas that doesn't know how to come out to his family – that’s a way more interesting story, and it gives a new type of kid some hope.
Your music seems to dip in and out of genres, from rap to R&B to indie. How would you describe your sound?
Kevin Abstract: That’s just a reflection of me – I still don’t know who I am. Most of the time, with artists like me who go on to become superstars, you never see them when they are still lost and trying to figure life out. I’m super transparent, and my fans know what the fuck is happening in my life at all times. Imagine seeing Kurt Cobain’s twitter while he was still in high school.
What themes are you most drawn to rapping/singing about?
Kevin Abstract: Adolescence, heartbreak, suburbia – just for now though, just while I’m doing this Kevin Abstract project.
…
Labels put me through so much bullshit in 2015. It’s the CEOs and the old dudes that have this backward ass mentality. No one ever knows what to do with me, or how to market me. What these old dudes don’t understand is that I'm already marketing the fuck out of myself. All ya’ll have to do is give me a little bit of money so I can make better quality art for these kids and expose me. I’m not going to dress how you want me to dress. My legacy is the most important thing to me.
Have you ever been in love and how has that inspired you creatively?
Kevin Abstract: Yeah. I’m in love right now and it’s helping shape up this album. I was so depressed writing MTV1987. I’m still dealing with demons, but the new stuff feels glorious. I’ve cried listening to some of the demos and rough cuts so I think that’s a good thing. I’m saying a lot of stuff I thought I would never be able to say on record. It’s my most bold writing yet. – dazzeddigital.com
Others have posted out there that they feel that Kevin is bi and not gay, but I haven't seen any recognition from Kevin himself except for some of his wording above. Twitter followers state he's posted many pics of a boyfriend and has used the term boyfriend before, but his recent twitter posts are of him being single.
And other pics on his twitter have had a homoerotic feel to them in the past.
Labels aren't the best but some need them to define themselves. As of right now, let's just label call Kevin Abstract as creative, fresh, and one to watch.
h/t: dazzeddigital.com, billboard.com, ftw.usatoday.com
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