By Paul Hutnick (Photo By Colin Pearce)
Rap music hasn’t always had the most inclusive reputation. In fact, there was a time when artists’
careers were at stake due to suspected homosexuality. However, as new generations of music
creators and consumers emerge, it’s becoming increasingly encouraged to wave whichever flag you carry.
That includes the International Bear Brotherhood Flag. In his songs, Bryce Quartz, a self-identified
lil’ cub hip-hopper, ruminates on the pups, cubs, bears, and daddies that make up his community - and their kinks. “Queer people have had to endure years of listening to the sex lives of hetero rappers. It’s time queer fans feel seen and celebrate their authentic selves,” he says, adding, “As long as consent is given, all should be empowered to explore their wildest fetishes.”
His latest track, “C*m Pirate”, thesecond single from his upcoming
“The Sextape” EP, is out now.
Paul Hutnick:What sparked the idea for your new track?
Bryce Quartz: I wrote the hook during a demo writing session. One
of my friend’s told me it sounded like I was rapping a sea shanty. It made
me laugh because I could totally see it, so I went with it.
PH:Is “C*m Pirate” the “WAP” forgay men?
BQ: I liken it more to Cupcakke’s “Deepthroat”. It’s overtly horny, extremely direct, and made for
underground mass appeal for all gay nymphomaniacs.
PH: Female artists like Azealia Banks and Cardi B have been
open about their sexualities and it hasn’t hurt their careers, but
there’s still seems to be resistance to male rappers coming out.
BQ: There’s definitely a double standard in hip hop, however, over
the past few years, things have changed with a new generation of
listeners and the growingacceptance of LGBTQ+ people.
PH: Is the double standard the reason you are determined to be
bold with your queerness? Is the idea that you can’t bust down
walls with subtlety?
BQ: It’s a form of protest for me. I hope my music makes cishet people
uncomfortable. That said, I think both subtle and bold approaches are
essential to breaking the glass ceiling for queer acceptability in hip
hop. All of us, as queer musicians, are important to the movement
whether we choose to be as direct as my music or as indirect and
subtle as early Frank Ocean songs.
PH: Are you a fan of queer rappers like Lil Nas X and Taylor Bennett?
BQ: Taylor Bennett was actually one of the first artists that inspired me to
be out and proud. I remember jamming to “Nobody Tell a Name” in
my car years ago and it’s still a bop today. His lyrics are insightful, a bit
lighthearted, but still thought provoking. I identify with him, and
Lil Nas X too, because they put the music first before
their sexuality, and although my lyrics are extremely
sexually charged, the bars and technicalities always
come first.
PH: “C*m Pirate” is a well-crafted song and fun to
listen to… but does it have a chance of crossing over
to mainstream?
BQ: To be honest with you, I didn’t make this song for a
crossover into mainstream. The world just isn’t ready for
something like this, however, I’m still gonna deliver it,
and I know my fans will love it along with many new fans
who will also love it.
PH: They’ll love the music video too.
BQ: I filmed two videos. A safe-for-work visual and an explicit version with hardcore porn that matches theenergy of the song.
PH: How graphic does the explicit version get?
BQ: It features porn stars Brooklyn Bear, The Rhino, and
pup Tango Foxtrot and there are scenes with The Rhino
ejaculating on my face and scenes of me in a sling getting slammed senselessly and a scene with Tango
putting a dildo deep in me while I rap to the cameras. I swear Tango was testing me in that scene because damn, bitch! I really took that dildo all the way up my
bum and didn’t miss a line at all!
PH: How will you measure success of “Cum Pirate”?
BQ: By how many new fans find it and love it, and by how many dick and ass pics I receive in my DMs after the video drops.
For More visit BryceQuartz.com Follow Bryce
@RealBryceQuartz