It’s been widely propagated that there is no place for queerness in hip-hop. However, for those who know better hip-hop has not only provided an affirming and encouraging backdrop for many queer artists, it has been consistently influenced and shaped by some of the most creative LGBTQ folks in the United States. Bounce music is the living testament.
Known as Sissy Bounce, Rap Bounce and most commonly Bounce, this high energy and dance friendly music has been credited for popularizing the twerk style of dance, as well as promoting he resurgence of the call and response lyric structure most often heard in gospel, blues, and jazz music.
Originating in New Orleans, with roots as far back as the late 1980s, Bounce became popularized by queer artists and gender-bending MCs such as Katey Red, Sissy Nobby, and Big Freedia in the 2000s. Since then, it has inspired everything from complex floor work and dance competitions to more mainstream artists like Ying Yang Twins and Diplo. Most recently in 2013, Big Freedia organized to set the Guinness World Record for most people twerking at once (358) using the opportunity to promote the genre and the people who made it possible.
As Bounce music continues to grow in popularity, there’s no doubt artists will continue to spread the message of inclusion and keep the world dancing.
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