Editorials
[Reaction] Black Jewish Rapper Y-Love Comes Out Of The Closet
Yesterday, CNN reported that Yitz “Y-Love” Jordan, a black Jewish rapper from New York, had come out of the closet. Jordan admitted that doing so might very well cost him some fans but, at the same time, he was never one to hide his sexual orientation. Rather, he has “…always known when to be in the closet and when not to.”
“I feel like I have wasted years of my life worrying that my ‘public reputation’ will be negatively impacted by my identity. Now that I’m over 30, I simply can’t care as much about what people think, despite the prospect of alienating the community I dedicated my life to as an artist and a man. My hope is it will open their eyes – and hearts.”
Originally of Puerto Rican and Ethiopian descent, Jordan converted to Hasidic Judaism in 2000 before studying Jewish values and beliefs in Jerusalem.
I’ve already stated my support for the LGBTQ community in my article regarding Against Me!’s Tom Gabel. I’m also cautiously optimistic that Obama’s support for gay marriage will result in something political actually happening. But this tackles some other issues that I feel need a quick mention.
You see, as a Jew, I know that the issue of homosexuality in my religion is somewhat difficult. There is a strong gay community in Tel Aviv but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t met with struggles and issues. Also, keep in mind that according to 2010 numbers there are only 13 million Jews in the world [source]. Like it or not, we’re pretty much an endangered species at this point. Therefore, there is this pressure to marry and have children, particularly Jewish children.
Also, Y-Love is a black hip hop artist and that genre is very well known for gay bashing and lack of support for the LGBTQ community. Need an example? How about this: Tyler, The Creator, who won MTV’s Best New Artist in 2011, used the word “faggot”, or a variance of it” 213 times on his album [source]. 213 times!!! And he didn’t think that there was anything wrong with what he was doing.
Then there is Eminem and his song “Criminal”, which has these lyrics: “Hate fags? The answer’s “yes””
So, Y-Love is taking an incredibly courageous step by facing criticism from Conservative and Orthodox Jews as well as the hip hop community, which is only just beginning to see support for the LGBTQ community. Considering that both of these communities are incredibly important to him not only as an artist but as a way of life, I’d say that this step was one that must’ve given him great fear and pause.
As a straight Jew, I can only say kudos sir and I wish you the best of luck. I hope that your coming out of the closet brings you nothing but inner peace and tranquility.
Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonny B.? Shoot him a message on Twitter!
Editorials
‘The Vampire Lestat’ Concert Event Launches New Season With The Ultimate Expression Of Fandom
There are thousands of passionate fans decked out in gothic chic and champing at the bit like feral creatures. They’re screaming for Lestat, a legendary vampire-turned-rock star, as if the entire crowd has been glamored into submission.
The entire experience is magic, but not because some supernatural thrall has been activated. What’s going on is even more special. It’s the power of the effusive fandom that’s been authentically assembled by AMC’s sublime Immortal Universe, namely Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, now, The Vampire Lestat.
The Vampire Lestat is far from the first Anne Rice adaptation, and it’s not as if there’s been a lack of erotic vampire material for audiences to sink their teeth into. On June 2nd, during a one-night-only spectacle, New York City’s prestigious Beacon Theatre shook from Sam Reid’s bravado performance and an audience full of adoring fans who had already memorized Lestat’s songs.
It’s clear that The Vampire Lestat just hits differently than its predecessors. It’s become more than just a TV series at this point, and this opulent display of ego, swagger, and pure sex is the perfect way to premiere the new season and give back to the fans who helped make Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat such a breakout success. It’s exactly the sort of hyperbolized hedonism that would make Lestat cackle.
For all intents and purposes, AMC has successfully created the illusion that this concert/premiere is just one of the many destinations on Lestat and his band’s 54-stop tour that is simultaneously playing out on this season of television. It’s such a sophisticated and thorough level of interactive fan engagement that the audience doesn’t just understand, but also manages to accentuate through its involvement.
It’s a level of seamless synergy that’s not unlike the give-and-take relationship of vampire and victim.
Before the concert started, “LeStans” were sitting in the Beacon and flipping through a fake Rolling Stone issue with Lestat emblazoned on the cover, complete with interviews with the undead frontman inside. Other fans were admiring the vinyl pressing of Lestat’s EP as they walked past a section of undead band merch. Fandom and fantasy blur together, and it all becomes this elaborate, immersive experience. Fan celebration, erotic gothic fantasy, and a lavish rock concert transform into one beautiful thing.
To this point, AMC Global Media’s Chief Content Officer and President of AMC Studios, Dan McDermott, introduced the event by reiterating to fans, “You are the heartbeat of the series.” That’s abundantly clear on nights like this as that heartbeat collectively pulses to this performance. In terms of how AMC engages with The Vampire Lestat’s fans, it’s as bold a reinvention as the season itself.
This intuitive gamble speaks to AMC’s creativity in this department and a fandom that is eager to seize such opportunities. It’s the same innovation that led to zombie walks for The Walking Dead and real-life Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant pop-ups from Breaking Bad. It’s a great way to pump up the audience for The Vampire Lestat and then maintain that enthusiasm for the whole season.
For most series, a rock ‘n’ roll concert just doesn’t make any sense as a promotional tool. The Vampire Lestat finds itself in a very unique position where it can deliver an excellent concert at an iconic theater, but also use it to showcase The Vampire Lestat’s music by Daniel Hart (who was shredding on stage alongside Reid and the rest of their band) and, more than anything, Sam Reid’s endless charisma.
The way in which Reid feeds off of the crowd’s energy, modulating his performance and giving different sections of the Beacon life, is a perfect distillation of the series’ thoughtful relationship with its audience and how it’s become such a breakout success for AMC. AMC Studios President Dan McDermott emphasized that the fans are the reason that the show is still here and why an event like this is even possible. It’s rare to see a series in which every single cog in the machine is so perfectly attuned to its fans. Reid’s fans already cheer whenever they see him, so why not translate that to a concert setting?
It’s clear in this season of television that Reid was born to be a rock star, but it’s surreal to see him effortlessly command the stage — and the audience — at every step of the concert. He recites Shakespeare monologues and bitches out Armand between songs, all while the audience screams in support. For the duration of this concert, Reid is Lestat, and he’s given thousands of fans a memory that’s as immortal as any vampire.
Now bring on the encore and get this show on the road!
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