Screen capture from the latest music video from Todrick Hall “Rainin’ Fellas” Todrick Hall drops the music video for “Rainin’ Fellas” from his new album, Femuline, and it’s about the gayest thing I’ve ever seen. Yay! In the music video, an homage to the 1982 uber-gay “It’s Raining Men” by the Weather Girls, Hall turns the gay way up past 10 as he and his company of dancers turn it out. Richy Jackson’s choreography is tight and clever just like Hall’s rapid-fire lyrics. And yes, that is former N’SYNCer Lance Bass tripping into the taxi in heels at the top of the video.
The new album, Femuline, is bold and unapologetic, like it’s creator. Hall exudes confidence and charisma on every track, not to mention his clever wordplay. The album was entirely written by Hall, with production from Grammy-winning Wiidope (Nicole Scherzinger, Ciara), and Jeeve (Bruno Mars, Britney Spears). The dance floor-ready collection is a defiant statement of self-empowerment and self-described as an “open love letter to the LGBTQ community,” released in tandem and in honor of Pride. Additionally, today Hall announced a global tour in 2022, with dates spanning the U.S., Europe and Australia. The North American leg will kick on March 12, 2022 in Seattle and wind through the U.S. until May 3, 2022, ending in Toronto, ON. https://www.instagram.com/p/CP393x1FSAJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Out country music artist Hayden Joseph Rising country music artist Hayden Joseph releases his uplifting anthem of self-acceptance, “Out,” just in time for Pride month. The new song showcases Hayden’s bright and effortless vocals amid modern country-pop production. The inspiring and forward-looking lyrics are a clarion call to be out and proud of who you are. “Every artist needs an ‘I am’ song, and this is mine,” says Joseph about the new track. “At its core, it’s a track about celebrating who you are. For me, it narrates coming out and fully accepting myself, but the meaning will change depending on the listener.” “I’ve sat on the song for 3 years because I didn’t want to ruffle country music feathers, but I have decided this Pride month is the time.” Hit the play button below and bounce along to “Out.” https://youtu.be/NLzzYaL8xkI Hayden has been making waves as one of the few out-and-proud singers in the country genre for the better part of the last year, following the successful release of his 2021 debut album, Different (which has garnered over 300,000 streams). He knows he faces an uphill battle as an openly gay male pursuing a country music career; it’s no secret that the genre hasn’t always been inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite that, he prides himself in the inclusive nature of his lyrics, and earnestly aspires to “write songs for everyone.” Hayden strives to continue breaking industry barriers, just as he says in his new single: “Times are changing, uncovering new ground. The world is ready for how I’m speaking out.” For more out country music artists, check out my previous posts with Cameron Hawthorn, Ty Herndon, and Patrick Masse & Drake Jensen. You can follow Hayden on Instagram here. “Out” is available now on all digital download/streaming platforms. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPi0alYD3fm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CPwneZrjmaZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
DCappella celebrates Pride Month with the release of the “This Is Me,” from The Greatest Showman. The Oscar® nominated song, an unapologetic declaration of identity and empowerment, subsequently became an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community and Pride celebrations. In addition to showcasing the group’s soaring vocals, the music video follows several LGBTQ people as they celebrate themselves and their lives. “What’s really moving about this project for me personally is that we cast real queer people for every vignette,” says Nina Kramer, the out director of the music video. “There was no world where we were going to cast straight actors to play out faux scenes about queer people’s everyday lives.” DCappella is Disney Music Group’s premier a cappella singing sensation featuring 7 world-class vocalists: Antonio Fernandez/vocal percussion, Joe Santoni/bass, Kalen Kelly/mezzo, Kelly Denice Taylor/alto, Morgan Keene/soprano, Orlando Dixon/baritone and RJ Woessner/tenor. You can follow them on Instagram here.
“Pride,” the new single and music video by Tom Goss, celebrates the rainbow of people who make up the LGBTQ community and their stories of hope, perseverance, triumph, and love. “When we think of Pride, we often think of tens of thousands of people marching in a parade, but it’s much more than that,” says Goss. “It’s the individuals, the love they share, and the moments together that make up the mosaic that is Pride as we know it today. That’s what this song is about.” He adds, “It’s important that we respect and pay homage to those that fought for us and (that we) continue the fight for the generations to follow.” https://youtu.be/weG3cdlnuOk The idea for the song was sparked by a cross-country road trip Tom and his husband took last summer. One stop on the trip was to visit their friend Ben who had recently lost his partner, Rich. The couple had been cornerstones in their local LGBTQ community. Goss attended a memorial service (held in front of City Hall) where friends gathered to laugh, cry and remember their friend. Their story inspired Tom to think about all of the other people who have fought tirelessly to make being gay something to be celebrated. People like Rich and Ben, living and loving quietly but heroically in small cities and towns across the country. The world may never know their names, but that doesn’t make their stories any less important. Tom issued a post on Facebook, asking LGBTQ couples to share their love stories with him. He was inundated by the most beautiful and moving testimonials from all over the world. “I hope ‘Pride’ and it’s music video encourage people in the community to stop and reflect on how we got to where we are today,” Tom says. “We owe so much to our forefathers and mothers. We cannot begin to imagine the hardships they endured, and that’s by design. They wouldn’t allow it. They wanted a better world for us, so they created it for us.” “It’s important that we respect and pay homage to those that fought for us and continue the fight for the generations to follow. That is Pride.” Produced by Austin Danson, Tom Goss’s “Pride” is available now on all major digital platforms. Out singer/songwriter Tom Goss (photo: Dusti Cunningham)
Eli Lieb in his new music video ‘Boys Who Like Boys’ Acclaimed out singer/songwriter Eli Lieb drops his awesome new single and music video, “Boys Who Like Boys,” and it’s totally on point not only for Pride Month, but every day. I’m happy to admit that when a new Eli Lieb song drops, I run to hit play. Eli hits it out of the park every. single. time. Eli finds his way to the center of his songs with uncluttered focus and gives voice to what I think of as the ‘every gay’ (as opposed to the ‘everyman’).
So what’s your problem with boys who like boysMaybe we just want a little loveBoys who like boys Know one holds you like a big man doesGo keep on hating I’ll just keep dancing With boys who like boysYeah I just want a little love
Not only do his lyrics swagger like a boss, but Eli knows his way around a strong hook and when to drop those stadium drums for maximum effect. Some days, I feel like he’s our Bryan Adams of today. Plus, Eli enlisted the help of choreographer Tyler Malone who passed out the steps to friends and fans of Eli. The result is a rainbow of folks contributing their shade of pride for this anthemic track. It just all works – to great effect. Hit play and enjoy. You can find my previous coverage of Eli’s catalogue here. Celebrate him, his music and Pride.
Ricky Martin (screen capture via People)PEOPLE Magazine shares more of their Pride Month cover interview with international pop star Ricky Martin, this time focusing on that ‘other’ part of his career. Some folks forget that after becoming a breakout star of the boy band Menudo, Martin shifted gears with some acting roles. For two years, he was the frequently shirtless bartender Miguel Morez on the iconic soap opera General Hospital in the mid-90s. He also scored on Broadway playing “Marius” in the mega-hit musical Les Miserables and returned to star as “Che” in the 2012 revival of Evita. Martin returned to TV that same year to guest on the then-red-hot GLEE. More from PEOPLE:
His next major acting gig, in 2018, was also a Ryan Murphy production, The Assassination of Gianni Versace. He scored an Emmy nomination for the role — and after the laudation was hoping for more prestige acting offers. He’s still waiting.
“I love acting,” he says. “I’m waiting for those scripts, for those great scripts. I can play gay, I can play straight, I can play a serial killer. I can play Latin, but I can also play European. I am ready. Just give it to me, man. Give it to me.”
A few years ago, Martin was told by a music label executive that he’d be selling more records if he’d never come out.
“That was something that really affected me. And I was like, ‘Am I really dealing with this? They’re not playing my music in this country because I’m gay? Is this really happening?’ We’re talking about four years ago. This executive doesn’t work for the record company anymore. He was fired. But I felt it. It hit me hard.”
“I don’t know if I’m not getting parts because I’m gay,” he admits. “But if that’s the case, it’s really sad. I’m going to keep working until life is different.”
Read more at PEOPLE.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPn_7rmNWYj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
(image via Instagram/Silverjow) Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: From my favorite illustrator on the Gram of Insta, Silverjow (above) offers his ‘hunks of the week’ celebrating Pride Month. Make sure you follow him on Instagram here. • The Hill: Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters today the defense department will continue the existing policy from July of 2020 regarding the display or depiction of unofficial flags. “There won’t be an exception made this month for the Pride flag.” • Kenneth-in-the-212: Click over to Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in local LGBTQ publications like the 14th anniversary issue of Southern California’s RAGE Magazine (below). (image via Rage Magazine) • NY1 News: Forging a vaccination card or providing fraudulent proof of immunity could soon be a felony in New York based on a measure approved Thursday by the Democratic-led Assembly. • Right Wing Watch: Far-right wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos says that as soon as he became “ex-gay,” dogs stopped barking at him, which he believes is a sign from God.
Milo Yiannopoulos says that as soon as he became “ex-gay,” dogs stopped barking at him, which he believes is a sign from God. pic.twitter.com/AgDrmFka2h
• Out Music: Todrick Hall celebrates Pride with the release of his new single – “Boys In The Ocean” – an irresistible funk jam that rides along an infectious bass line and guitar licks, primed for summer escapism. Last year, Billboard wrote of Hall, “He’s part old-school theatre showman, part new-school internet personality, part drag queen… he’s also pushing the boundaries of LGBTQ representation in a business that has historically been unwelcoming to queer people of color.”
Miki Ratsula (photo: Ashley Osborn) Out singer/songwriter Miki Ratsula releases their imminently listenable new single and music video, “second,” which explores their anxiety around getting top surgery, and their fear that their long-time girlfriend would no longer love them. The So-Cal based Finnish American artist, who identifies as non-binary, has built a loyal following by openly and honestly welcoming people into their world, using their platform to candidly document their life, from coming out to getting top surgery just a couple months ago. Miki’s girlfriend, Hope, joins them in the tender and artfully crafted music video for “second.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CPs7uGXhXbX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link “I knew I wanted the video to represent queer bodies and relationships in the most authentic way,” says Ratsula. “Before getting my top surgery, I really wish I had seen more representation of what queer bodies can look like, and that they can be loved.” That lack of representation can lead to all kinds of ruminating for young people trying to figure out who they are, and that’s reflected in the lyrics of “second.”
All I do is question my reflectionI’m obsessed with second guessingBut you don’t for a second
Whatever you see, I’m glad that you doI hope that one day I’ll see it tooYou’ve been so patient, as long as you’re waitingI think we’ll get there togetherI just wanna love myself so I can love you betterI just wanna love myself so I can love you better
The guitar-driven mid-tempo is sonically soothing with an tender undercurrent of brimming emotion as Ratsula’s intimate vocals draw the listener in closer and closer. The video, directed by Evers Pund, plays on an innately human scale capturing moments between Ratsula and Hope touching, laughing, and living in the moment. The interplay between the couple subtly moves from indoors and shadows to eventually coming out of the dark into the light reflecting part of the artist’s journey to here. Oh, and there’s an asteroid heading for Earth, but we’ll have to see how that plays out. Check out my chat with the talented singer/songwriter about the new single, Pride Month and more after you hit play. I really liked “second” the moment I heard it. https://youtu.be/OkYhm7GXMAg The Randy Report: Congratulations on your new song “second.” What was the inspiration for the song, and the meaning behind the title? Miki Ratsula: Thank you so much! I came out as non-binary last year and right after I decided to pursue getting top surgery I wrote down the line “I just wanna love myself so I can love you better.” I had a lot of anxiety revolving around the surgery and worrying about whether it would negatively affect my relationships. I wrote the song later that year expanding on that original line, and exploring those thoughts about losing my partner, but knowing that she’d stay by side through it all. The title comes from the line “I’m obsessed with second guessing but you don’t for a second.” While I’m all in my head thinking the worst, she’s always there reminding me of how loved I am. TRR: Musically, “second” draws us in – it doesn’t hit us over the head. Did you go into the song knowing you wanted a particular sound/feel/texture? MR: As soon as the song was written I hopped straight into working on the production. I knew I wanted it to stay relatively simple so that the lyrics can be the focal point. Lyrically, the song starts in a darker place and as I sing and expand on those darker thoughts, the lyrics start to brighten up a bit. I think it represents exactly what my thought process was like. I wanted the music to also follow the emotions of the lyrics, which is why it’s complemented by relatively darker tones. But at the end of the song when you can sense the breath of fresh air I finally have, my girlfriend is actually singing along with me. We literally come together at the end of the song. https://www.instagram.com/p/COGhH4ABucj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link TRR: Regarding the end of the music video, we now know where you want to be when the world ends I guess…? 🙂 MR: We had a pretty good sense of how we wanted the music video to look, but the director we worked with, Evers Pund, came up with the genius idea to add a parallel “end of the world” storyline with the comet. For me, the end of the world in this video actually represents a new beginning to a life where I love myself and can be better person for the people I love. The comet represents the death of my self hatred. The end of the video also highlights the idea that my girlfriend is there for me for everything, even when the world is ending. TRR: You shared on Instagram last summer that the pronouns thing was still a scary thing for you. I think that’s important for people to understand it’s not as simple as just saying he/him, she/her, they/them… MR: Yeah it was a really scary thing for me because I was so worried to be a burden to other people and to feel like I was adding more stress to people. I realized soon after though that living my truth shouldn’t be a burden to others and they shouldn’t make me feel like I am. I still face adversity with my pronouns, even in the music industry. But it’s just made it more clear on who I really want to be working with. I wish people could take a step back and realize how genuinely easy it is to respect people’s pronouns. It takes more effort to be ignorant and to make a mockery of us than to just use the correct ones. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCT7VL4B9L7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link TRR: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? MR: My therapist told me “someone else’s urgency is not your emergency”. TRR: It’s Pride Month – what does that mean to you? MR: It means representation and resilience. I’ve had too many cis straight people tell me I’m too openly queer. Pride is a time for me to push back even harder on that ideology and unapologetically share my experience and queer body. I truly just want to be the artist I needed growing up. I hope that by me sharing my truth it can help other queer people to feel valid, as younger me would’ve very much needed. You can stream/download “second” here, and you can follow Miki Ratsula on Instagram here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPd7IV1h6pH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
International pop star Ricky Martin (screen capture via People) When the world watches international pop star Ricky Martin onstage singing and shaking his bon-bon, we see a handsome, confident artist at home in his element. But in a new cover interview with PEOPLE for their 2nd annual Pride Issue, he shares that he’s actually “really insecure.” “I’m super socially awkward but today, well the difference is that I know I’m socially awkward,” explains the 49-year-old singer. “So, I don’t go anywhere that causes me anxiety. I’m at peace with performing in front of 30,000 people and feel like the king of the world. But then I walk into a small room at an intimate gathering, and someone will say, ‘Hey Rick, sing a song for us!’ and that creates such anxiety.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CPnqFp0tkci/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Martin also tells PEOPLE that early in his career he felt pressure prove himself as “a sex symbol.” Before coming out, he was dating women (publicly) and men (privately) trying to decode his own confusion wondering “Am I gay? Am I bisexual? Am I confused?”
One thing he is not confused about is that he was not ‘misleading’ anyone.’
“Sexuality is one complicated thing,” Martin shares with the celebrity magazine. “It’s not black and white. It’s filled with colors. When I was dating women, I was in love with women. It felt right, it felt beautiful.”
At the time, though, the question of his sexuality seemed to hang in the air. Still, Martin intrinsically knew he would come to terms with those questions in his own time.
But there are still moments, before coming out, that haunt him.
Martin recalls a national TV interview with Barbara Walters in 2000 when she asked the question point-blank. “You could stop these rumors,” Walters prodded. “You could say, ‘Yes I am gay or no I’m not.'”
With an almost imperceptible touch of fear in his eyes, Martin found his center and replied, “Barbara, for some reason, I just don’t feel like it.”
Martin says the moment he heard the question, “I felt violated because I was just not ready to come out. I was very afraid.” He adds, “There’s a little PTSD with that.”
Martin eventually came out ten years later in 2010. Looking back now in 2021, with four kids and a husband, Martin says he has considered the question “what would you do differently?”
“Well, maybe I would have come out in that interview,” says the “Livin’ La Vida Loca” singer. “It would’ve been great because when I came out, it just felt amazing. When it comes to my sexuality, when it comes to who I am, I want to talk about what I’m made of, about everything that I am. Because if you hide it, it’s a life-or-death situation.”
“There are many, many kids out there that don’t have someone to look up to,” Martin says. “All they have around them is people telling them, ‘What you’re feeling is evil.’ But, you can’t force someone to come out. But if you have an egg and you open it from the outside, only death comes out. But if the egg opens up from the inside, life comes out.”
For her part, Walters would later admit regret for urging Martin to come out and how the moment was perceived by the public.
“I pushed Ricky Martin very hard to admit if he was gay or not, and the way he refused to do it made everyone decide that he was,” Walters told the Toronto Star in 2010. “A lot of people say that destroyed his career, and when I think back on it now, I feel it was an inappropriate question.”
Read more of Jason Sheeler’s interview over at PEOPLE. Make sure to pick up this year’s Pride Issue on newsstands Friday.
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