It’s no secret that hip hop and homosexuality don’t mix, but people like Terrance Dean are tired of whispering about the subject. Dean, a MTV executive, is set to release his memoir Hiding in Hip-Hop (Atria/Simon & Schuster), a tell-all about his own experiences living life on the down low and the entertainers who we might never suspect are doing the same.
Though Dean does not name names, he has found the strength to be his true self and reveal his own struggles as a down low man in the entertainment industry, Dean talks to VIBE.com about why he kept key people anonymous, his own struggle with the down low lifestyle, and how far the hip hop community is from acceptance.
There’s a down low community just for entertainers and celebrities. They don’t go to the club. It’s a whole other world.
VIBE.com: Can you describe what your book is about?
Terrance Dean: I felt as though it was time to talk about the
men who are hiding in their sexually in hip hop. We’re just as much a
part of it as so many other people who make up what hip hop is today.
Is everything in your book 100 percent true?
Yea, everything is my book is 100 percent true. Nothing is fictionalized. Nothing is made up. But it’s also my accurate account from what I remember. I think people need to also remember that in memoirs, it’s an accurate account of what that author’s memory of what the situation was at that time.
So, why did you choose not to name names?
Well, that was not ever the intention of writing the book. When I first
started writing the book, I said, “I’m not going to name names!” The book is my story. It’s my journey as a gay man. It’s not about them.
Do you think this book will encourage anyone who is on the down low in the industry to come out?
Yes, I really do. I do feel that the book is going to empower and
inspire so many people who are struggling, who are in the industry, and who
are on the down low - who are thinking about it, who may want to come
out, but are afraid. Hopefully this will open up the door for dialogue,
for conversation, and for other men and women to come out of the closet
and not be afraid to live their life.
Did Karrine Steffan’s or Carmen Bryan’s books give you the courage to tell your story?
No. I actually wrote this book years ago. Even before Karrine wrote a
book, I had already wrote this book. But, I wasn’t ready at that time.
And then I heard Usher’s Confession album, and that’s when I was like,
“You gotta tell truth.”
Over the years, Wendy Williams has discussed a host of people she
considers to be gay. Based on your experiences, do you believe there is
any truth to some of those people she has named?
Yes. There was some truth to a lot of the things that she was saying.
And then there were some things that she was saying that was way off.
There is a rumor that there are down low clubs in the industry that serve as secret societies for the down low community. Can you shed any light on that?
There’s a down low
community just for entertainers and celebrities. They don’t go to the
club. It’s a whole other world. Those people will never be seen at a
place where other down low men go, like a club because they know they
have their own secret society within the secret society. There’s a down
low world. Then there’s another world that’s strictly just for
celebrities.
In your book, you raised the question, how can we support music that
clearly verbally bashes everything gay or down low people about? Why do
you think that is?
Well, it’s a defense mechanism. In order to keep their secret from
getting out, the first thing they do is attack others. They call women
hoes and bitches to show how macho they are and how much manhood they
have.
Do you think there will be a successful gay rapper in hip hop or the entertainment industry that is “out”?
Yes and No. A rapper who is already gay and comes into the industry
trying to sell records will be difficult. He has to build an audience,
a fan base and it will be difficult to do that if people already know
he is gay. If an already established successful rapper is already in
this business and has a fan base and audience, those fans will be more
inclined to continue to support him.
Hiding in Hip-Hop: On the Down Low in The Entertainment Industry - From Music To Hollywood hits stores May 13.
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Comments
1.
Momaborah says:
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you go terrance ! I bloged about this very subject from a fans point of view. White entertainers are not only supported by their fans after coming out, the industry even embraces them. When a black entertainer is found to be gay or bi(cause they never come out on their own) blacks fans turn on them, even worse in hip hop, they are shuned and used as punchlines in stand-up routines. Check out my vibe page, look me up on myspace, I'd like to help in the fight to convince black folks not to hate on their gay brothers and sisters. Holla! Momaborah@yahoo.com
May 14, 2008 at 7:23 pm
2.
Marquaysa says:
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This book will be an interesting read. I'll say that. I'll also have to disagree with him saying that he thinks an already established rap artist will continue to be successful if he comes out about his homosexuality. I'm a little iffy, and maybe my mind will change if it happens. BUT I think that a homosexual's fan base will change. YES times are different and America is a lot more open, but let's be honest.AMERICA IS STILL VERY JUDGEMENTAL. We'll see where this book leads to and if it leads to the 'coming out' of any artist. And THEN we will see what their fan base is like. I'm interested to see what will happen.
~~Quaysa~~
May 12, 2008 at 3:59 pm