Gayle Wald speaks to the “un-forgetting” of erased histories
through the “feminist act” of telling marginalized narratives (2014). Sister
Rosetta Tharpe is a black, queer, woman who is widely believed to have
birthed rock n’ roll. However, her queerness was swept under the rug during her
career and after. Speaking of her relationship with Marie Knight, in the documentary
“The Godmother of Rock n’ Roll”, it was said, “Within certain circles they could
be a little more open with it but obviously within the wider world that would
have ruined careers – it would have ruined reputations.” (2014)
Queerness is an
identity “struck from the historical record,” as Wald said of Sister Rosetta
Tharpe’s career – an author who makes the choice not to speak on the Sister’s
sexuality in her 2014 article. Heteronormativity has dominated the music industry
from Sister Rosetta being required to sign, “Tall Skinny Papa,” and being
married on stage for ratings to the perseverance of heterosexuality within contemporary
lyrics. Other artists such as Freddy Mercury of the famed Queen has their
queer identities circumvented by the media.
There are some contemporary artists
who are embracing their queer identities by inserting queer themes into their
music. Frank Ocean, formerly of the rap group Off Future, came out publicly as
bi-sexual and writes lyrics using both male and female pronouns for his love interests.
In the song, “Chanel” Frank sings, “My guy pretty like a girl, and he got fight
stories to tell.” On his album Channel Orange, during the chorus of the song
“Bad Religion” he talks of “unrequited love,” saying, “I can never make him
love me, Never make him love me.” These examples of “same sex” love are few and
far between in popular culture, especially in hip-hop and R&B adjacent
music. But, Frank Ocean, who is has also been called a pioneer of his craft, sings
openly about love, just as I’m sure Sister Rosetta wished she could have – I
bet the Sister would have been proud.
Chanel by Frank Ocean - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnbsIl2BnWw
Bad Religion by Frank Ocean (preformed live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGgDwmCx5lI
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