In the 80's there were so many feminine/androgynous artists like Prince, MJ, Rick James, Andre Cymone, etc that did not give a damn about how they were percieved. I can't think of anyone like that today. I suppose there's the Dream and Ne Yo but they obviously care way too much about people thinking they might be gay and by the way I don't think neither of them are. I just want to see the old flashy, freaky stars out there again!

Rick James was feminine/androgynous???

thatruth said:

There was nothing feminine about Rick and his features weren't pretty enough to be androgynous

scriptgirl said:

yeah but he was freaky and wore blouses!

Rick James was a pimp!

"cocaine is a hell of a drug"

woudn't you guys olike to see the Dream in a pink ruffled blouse?!

Gangsta rap killed the feminine Black artist. It also killed originality. I miss the days when stars looked like stars (feminine or not), not like they just walked off the street onto a stage or video set. I would aslo like to add that when male Black singers dressed in "frilly" clothing, they were called "feminine", yet their Rock n Roll counterparts (with the same frilly clothing and make up) were called simply "Rock Stars".
[Edited 8/2/09 17:08pm]

BklynBabe said:

Love Rick James, but lets face it, he was a pimp with an awful hairweave. Rick James, like Mariah Carey, hasn't met a spandex outfit he didn't like. Love his music, keeping it real.

dancerella said:

as long as he covers up his mantitties

EW! Hell no! Don't nobody wanna see that thug wannabe in no ruffled shirt! Child, please!

scriptgirl said:

He does, however, need to take a trip to Victoria Secret. He has at least a 38B.

Bow Wow still makin music right?

LittleBLUECorvette said:

LOL!

BklynBabe said:

those things could pass for a 34B

dancerella said:

Those kinds of black artists don't exist on the mainstream pop culture level anymore, especially after MJJ's passing. These days, even Prince (despite his natural metrosexuality) has gotten more butch up in recent years due to his faith as a JW.

You're more likely to find feminine/androgynous looking white artists:

Lady Gaga
Scissor Sisters
Alexander Bard (former member of Army Of Lovers; current band leader of Bodies Without Organs)
Pete Burns & Dead Or Alive
Boy George
Paul Stanley (lead vocalist of KISS, with make-up)
Marilyn Manson
Madonna
[Edited 8/2/09 21:34pm]

I wish black male femininity wasn't so frown upon. These so-called "gangsta rappers" ain't as gangsta when you talk to them.

Prince, butch? Excuse me while I die laughing over here

totaldiva said:

Within 1987-1988, Dr.Dre took the opportunity of leaving The World Class Wreckin' Crew by joining Niggaz With Attitude (N.W.A.). THIS is a perfect example within music history on exactly when and how the days of feminine/androgynous black artist were definitely over.

Apart from Michael Jackson (until death) and Prince (until becoming a JW), no straight black male recording artist dared to enter the 1990's with make-up or androgynous looks. RuPaul is THE only exception because he is a gay black man that can dress in drag OR a straight looking three-piece suit at will.

But it wasn't just the gangsta style & political style of rap that were to blame, THIS was and still is hip-hop culture in general. And hip-hop culture is credited and blamed for reinventing macho black masculinity as the expense of promoting homophobia AND anti-gay/anti-bi overtones within the music.

Timmy84 said:

Well don't get started about some of these "gangsta" rappers on a DL. And yes, I still remember reading about Mase's tranny-hunting incident that ruining his career comeback attempt in hip-hop. And hell yeah, Lil'Wayne have some freaking nerve questioning the sexuality of the late Michael Jackson when Wayne himself have no issue with kissing his boyfriend.....Oops, I mean adoptive father Baby The Birdman.

TonyVanDam said:

I hate that hip-hop has some hypocritical homophobes running it. But you're fucking right about that.

scriptgirl said:

That right I said it. Prince wears almost no make-up these days. As a matter of fact, the very last time Prince ever looking feminine was during The Gold Experience-era.

what is this about mase and trannies-do tell?

scriptgirl said:

yeah really!

utopia7 said:

damn you guys are wrong!

LittleBLUECorvette said:

who the hell wants to see bow wow in a ruffled blouse and spiked heels?! now 50 cent is a different story lol!

as Manly as Cameo is they took great risks with style ! thigh high boots and
penis attire !

Obviously, you didn't see Prince on Leno recently-he had on a face full of makeup

totaldiva said:

great pionts I agree total....

utopia7 said:

penis atire?? u mean that red cup looking thing...lol

Ready for the world was feminine..vocaly