
Check out this second installment from Terrance Dean’s “Hiding in Hip Hop.” This time, Dean describes various brothas on the down low in the music industry. As a bonus feature, Terrance recently sat down with Bossip staff to discuss his new book. He also shares helpful advice for Black women and the hint of a groundbreaking revelation. Click HERE to get the entire scoop.
See if you can guess who’s who:
“Malcolm”
A record mogul who has diversified his success in music, business, clothing, and politics and who always has a stunning woman on his arm, had his boy toy in VIP with him (at an industry party)
“Gus”
An R&B singer/songwriter who had written major hits for artists including En Vogue, SWV and Changing Faces. His clear skin, dark eyes, bushy eyebrows and short wavy hair….he was just too pretty. He eventually became a “gangster styled” artist.
“Craig”
Top rapper who was a part of a successful rap group that changed the dynamics of hip-hop with their philosophical rhymes over hard-core beats. Craig garnered attention because of his rugged good looks that made him a standout in the group.
“Drake”
He was a member of one of the most popular R&B groups. They had several number one Billboard hits, and the young girls loved him because the adorable, sexy front singer, Drake had a flamboyant stage presence. He was very eccentric in his style, defying more conventional looks in his appearance. Drake didn’t hold back when he performed either…showing his muscular frame. [He] branched out on his own as a solo artist and had a huge hit single which led to a few acing roles in major motion pictures.
“Eli”
A popular multiplatinum rapper who started his own label. Eli was a forced to be reckoned with. He flew out the gate with his debut album and would become a mainstay in the ever-changing Hip Hop industry. He has been hailed as one of the greatest rappers to bless the mic.
“Quinn”
He had a velvet melodic voice and broke out with a sensual single in the late 90’s. His self-titled debut album produced two top Billboard hits.
“Galvin”
Once a part of a legendary R&B group who had experienced a brief stint as a successful solo artist, was allegedly linked romantically to an A-list male actor.
The author recently did an interview with Bossip. Check it out:
Author Terrance Dean sat down with Bossip recently to discuss his new book, "Hiding in Hip Hop, On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry - From Music to Hollywood." He shares his insight into the gay sub-culture that permeates the entertainment world. He also gives advice to Black women and prepares us for some potentially groundbreaking news...
Your book just hit the stands recently, how’s that been going?
So far, I have received an overwhelming positive response from everyone. I want to thank Bossip. People have contacted via my myspace page saying they heard about the book through Bossip. The amazing response and support behind it has been truly overwhelming, it’s been surreal. The site has truly helped.
Have you received any threats over the book?
No I haven’t received any threats at all – as a matter of fact I’ve received a lot of support and calls from people from the industry saying how they’re very proud and excited and that they support me. And they also understand that it is my story despite all the salaciousness – people are reading the true story.
What’s the timeline of the story and where does it take place?
It takes place in LA & NY throughout my entire life from childhood until 2007, when I left MTV.
Explain to our readers the nature of the gay subculture in the entertainment industry.
The gay sub-culture does exist. People in this business are very well aware that there are those out there who are gay and lesbian that are leading a double life – and create that illusion (which is what Hollywood is all about). And it’s unfortunate, you know because in the Black and Latino communities we’re not able to be fully self-expressive and authentic and expose ourselves and our sexuality like our white counterparts. Like Ellen, George Michael, Elton John, and they receive huge amounts of support once they do come out. Unfortunately in the Black community it is such a taboo and we don’t talk about sexuality in our community. This could be why there’s such an epidemic of HIV and AIDS for Black women and the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. Because we are so afraid to have that dialogue about sex, we become promiscuous. In this day and age, this leads to more men staying in the closet afraid to come out – and [they] these down-low relationships
Given the secrecy of the down low community, what exactly made you want to write this book?
It was a culmination of things. First, it was my own personal story. [I talk about how] I lost my mother to the AIDS virus, and was sexually assaulted at age 13 by a next-door neighbor and how that incident traumatized me emotionally. I was a kid trying to figure out my role in society. And a friend of mine who happens to be a Grammy award winning songwriter and singer encouraged me to tell my story. This book is also for people in the industry who are struggling with their sexuality – especially when you’re young, coming from the hood – all the sudden you have money thrown at you and an ample amount of access to so many things. Then add the confusion about your sexuality. They really don’t know how to handle all those pressures at once. I wanted to bring to light to the need to have a greater dialogue about sex in the Black and Latino community.
If artists could feel free to come out, do you think they would?
I believe they would. If we were in a much more loving and nurturing environment, it would be no big deal. But really I don’t think it’s a big deal for teenagers and young adults. I think it’s mainly older adults who have internalized homophobia that has been passed on inter-generationally. Young kids have so much more access to technology and information. They’re exposed to so much more than when we were younger. And hip-hop is for a younger crowd so if an artist were to come out, young people would say, “ok – cool big deal I like his/her music.”
Do you think the down-low sub culture is more prevalent in the entertainment field then any other?
Wherever there’s a dominance of males, such as with hip-hop or there is a high population of creative people, it essentially lends itself to people who are gay. I tend to meet a lot of down-low men in male dominant industries where there’s a prevalence of more macho/masculine males and where we don’t see a lot of females.
You mention some characters in your book that sound awfully like Will Smith, Duane Martin, Johnny Gill, Eddie Murphy, and Diddy - guys who have repeatedly denied being gay. As well as a number of anonymous hip-hop stars. What’s the purpose of giving vague hints, rather than just plain outing some of these folks?
This isn’t a tell-all book, this is a story about my life and experiences as a down-low man in the entertainment industry. I didn’t write the book because I wanted to out people. It just so happened that hip-hop was a backdrop to my life. Had I been a police officer or worked in corporate America, I would’ve written the same book – with different characters. Many people feel that it’s impossible to think there is a gay figure in hip-hop. But as I say in the book, we are the writers of the songs, the producers, directors, stylists, publicists, the list goes on an on. We’re so ingrained in the culture, yet victimized in the culture. Just as women have become the target in hip-hop, being called bitches and ho’s but many of them still support hip-hop. So many down-low men say, “I helped to create this, but their calling me faggot.” Many artists are expressing internalized hatred of themselves.
Is the down-low phenomenon a new occurrence or did the sub-culture exist since the early days of hip-hop as well?
Down-low activities were happening then as wel,l but it was just different terminology being used. There are a few old school artists in my book that I talk about that were on the down-low. It’s just that "down-low" is the new catch phrase that we tend to gravitate to.
In your opinion is there a connection between misogyny in hip-hop and down-low activity.
I think it’s a small part of it but I also think that oppressed people oppress people. We [black people] created this phenomenon called hip-hop but yet corporate/white American came in and made it a business. So you have individuals from the Black and Latino communities who are already oppressed and [in turn] oppress women and gays – people who are an easier target, which is why I commend the women of Spelman for speaking out against that kind of treatment. But I fell prey to that too. When I was on the down-low I used to call people gay, thinking if I say this then they won’t think I am. Many down-low men act sexist/homophobic out of frustration and to detract from own repressed sexuality.
How did you transform from being on the down-low to being openly gay?
It was very difficult, and many of my down-low friends were shocked. Many friends told me I shouldn’t come out. But I no longer wanted to play the game of being deceptive, especially with women. I think it’s very deceptive to manipulate a woman into believing something that isn’t real.
As you well know, a book like this can really make a woman paranoid. At times it has seemed like practically all the brothas in Hollywood and the music industry were creeping out with other guys. Having said that, what’s your message to the single black woman on the dating scene?
Ask questions if you suspect that a man you’re dating is involved with other men. I meet a lot of married men, and even men with children who don’t even seem to care that they are cheating on their wives and girlfriends. Many women get comfortable and relaxed in their relationships and stop asking questions. If you feel the need to snoop – do it – it will protect you. If your man has several email accounts, you need to question why he needs so many email accounts?
But Black women are typically not afraid to ask questions, so are there any signs that we should be searching for in particular?
If your man starts to all the sudden introduce you to different men that you have never met before and they seem to come and go. I would question those relationships. When he introduces you to his “my cousin or this is my boy.” I’ve been introduced as guys’ cousins or friends, so you have the right to ask, “where did you guys meet?” If there are certain things that happen sexually that make you question - like if he suddenly asks you to perform in a different way - ask him why he wants to do it that way and where did he get the idea from. If he tends to walk outside the room every time the phone rings or if he let’s the call go to voicemail, ask questions. “Why are you afraid to talk to your boy in front of me?”
Do you think there will be a successful openly gay hip-hop or R&B artist in the near future?
Yes within the year. I have a strong a feeling that it will happen within a year and we’ll be shocked when it happens.
You heard it here first folks – so Terrance, is this a hip-hop or R&B artist?
[laughs] One in the same.
Okay, are we talking male or female here?
It will be a huge star, that’s all I’ll say.
So when this person comes out, do you think it will harm their career?
I think it will propel their career. Look what happened to Ellen & Rosie. Their careers shot through the roof. I think people in the black community will support them and that people will be happy that they were truthful. We will support them because of the courage they display. Look at Magic Johnson when he told the world he had HIV. Now he’s a philanthropist and successful businessman.
What’s is the overall message of Hiding in Hip Hop?
This book has provided me with a voice to be able to find my own self-worth and to know that I am powerful and I can do anything. I didn’t give up, despite the obstacle I faced growing up. I also want people to understand that I didn’t want to name names because I didn’t want to out people. That’s their journey, and I believe many of them will eventually come out, and that the public will support them. I know that upsets a lot of people but I say read the book first, and then have make your own opinion.
Are you planning on writing a sequel?
Yes – we’re working on it now, so I don’t want to give any details about it – but there definitely is one coming
Just out of curiosity, if you had your choice of who to have a threesome with, whom would you choose?
Now you really trying to get me killed – there are rappers that I really do adore and find very attractive. Two are out of Atlanta and one is out of New York.
Any last words you’d like to share with Bossip?
I love Bossip... You guys talk about a lot of things I think are important, I love the way you guys handle [those topics].
Terrance, I’d like to thank you for speaking with us today – and I encourage our readers to pick up 'Hiding in Hip-hop' – it’s a well written, very juicy read. And Terrance, if you do decide to start naming names, you know who to hit up first.