Like many sappy, wine-loving, passion-exercising adults, I was once that over-imaginative kid who enjoyed the secret kink pleasure of reading racy romance novels behind my textbooks in math class … English teachers giving me that knowing look and silently consenting me to openly reading them because they’d read them just as
much and understood … discovering the written worlds of artists painting their lovers, whom they soon conquered on lush garden beds and grand pianos. That flowery fog was always a nice way to tell a tale, but what most of us were really reading for were the steamy sex scenes only a wicked imagination could conjure up that the author so extensively and generously detailed; six pages of blissful intimacy to light a fire in your loins would always send me back to the library looking for the next juicy book to take me somewhere intense and show me something intimate.
That consequently led me to pick up Kerrine Stephens’ book, “The Confessions of a Video Vixen.” The book cover — displaying a scantily clad, smooth-skinned, honey-blond woman who exuded sex — had me expecting some raunchy rap fantasy to take me to the wild and extravagant movie-star lifestyle by page one. In turn, I realized by page two, I got anything but that; rather, it was a rude awakening into the cold, harsh world of being a used-up video girl. If you haven’t read it, here’s a quick catch-up: Young island girl, sexually and mentally abused, relocates and finds herself drowning in the gooey glamour of the world of hip-hop, Hollywood, sex and drugs. She survives to tell her story — and does just that, in explicit picture-book detail that tells all of her sexual “adventures” she had with big-name rappers, A-list actors and various athletes, and how she was deemed “SuperHead.”
Similar to Stephens, I am an actress in this ever-changing, sexually charged industry, and got called in to be a video girl for Mt. Vernon-born hip-hop street-rock duo KIN4LIFE for their new video, “Never Meant to Hurt You.” Immediately I thought of rejecting the invitation not only because the call sheet instructed I wear lingerie and a low-cut shirt, but because I didn’t want to be the next SuperHead! My desire to be taken seriously as an actress and not use my body to break into the film world was paramount to me. What is a video girl, anyway, but a girl who stands around the artist, looking “f-able”?
Evidently, to market yourself as a female in the entertainment industry today, you have to be “f-able” — cleavage and round bottoms shaking galore. From the moment you walk into a room, talk or breathe, you should be exuding sex — to be wanted, specifically by men — because, let’s face it, it sells; why else did I struggle through math so badly? I was sold. But what happens to the gender-bent artists who want their message heard and respected without fitting into society’s mold of what is sexually enticing? Where are the role models for young masculine women and effeminate men?
One group immediately comes to mind: KIN4LIFE had a chance in front of a name-recording artist and was shooed away because they didn’t look “f-able.” But, they continued manifesting and demonstrating that LGBTQ talent can be heard and is valuable.
So on the evening of Nov. 30, I rolled my little red suitcase to the famous Milkboy Recording Studio, heart pounding. I honestly barely researched the group, afraid I’d lose my nerve and not show up because I didn’t want to be exploited. Greeted at the door by director Danielle Erwin, I was told to change, and not into the lingerie, but into simple clothing. Breathing a sigh of relief, I headed to the bathroom and met the notorious duo: Nor and IQ. Towering over me, these beautifully eccentric-looking women surprised me with warm smiles, sparkling eyes and normal handshakes. Even more surprising, they’d actually watched a show I was in (KIN4LIFE composed the theme song) and complimented me on it. Now I was embarrassed; all of my silly expectations of this group turning me into SuperHead just vanished. These were chill, beautifully unapologetic women comfortable in their skin. They never once labeled themselves “lesbian” or “stud rappers” but just rappers, living and manifesting their art, just like me. Suddenly — I realized, wide-eyed — these women could take me somewhere intense, and show me something intimate, and that many had to see, if I allowed myself to go.
After a bit of research, I uncovered a gold mind. Being so afraid at times to openly discuss my sexuality on set, I loved that this group wore who they were so proudly and didn’t feel the need to explain, despite being told they weren’t f-able. Originally KIN, and renamed by fans as KIN4LIFE, the duo is a hip-hop, street-rock pair comprised of two emcees/producers/writers/engineers who have been passing their kinetic energy of positivity through the music industry for over a decade. Both artists hail from not only the home of Heavy D, Denzel Washington and P. Diddy, but the birthplace of hip-hop itself: The Big Apple. They’ve been featured in Curve Magazine, Elixher, Black Gay Gossip, Out and many more. They won the Out Music Award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song for “It’s Over Now” and the Honorary Atlanta Pride Hip Hop Award. They produce 98 percent of the music they put out and also record, mix and engineer 99 percent of the music, such as the album “Money Brings Trouble” and my favorite songs, “Type Girl, Right Girl” and “Make-Up Girl.”
PGN: Hey guys, thanks so much for sitting down with me and letting me breathe the air on Planet Noriq for a moment! So your genre is hip-hop, street rock? Your sound is so new. How so?
N: The best thing about hip hop is that it is influenced by other genres, so you will always get a nice mix of everything from us. We are always experimenting and aren’t afraid to sing on certain records too.
PGN: What does it mean to be KIN4LIFE, and why did you choose each other?
N: KIN4LIFE is just that, family for life. We’ve known each other long enough to call each other sister so we have an unbreakable bond. The music chose us. The universe put us together to experience this unfolding together.
IQ: You can’t choose your family.
PGN: Why is it important to be visible and current in the industry today?
N: We create the balance. In a world of trappers and fake rappers, somebody has to supply the fresh air. It’s important to also have a woman’s perspective in hip-hop, women who actually have something relevant to say.
PGN: Who has influenced you the most?
N: Definitely my mom. She was a recording artist while she was raising me and actually helped me write my first rhyme. She would let me get on records with her and co-write and co-produce, so to me it doesn’t get any more influential than that.
IQ: My grandmothers have influenced me most in life. They are strong, powerful, successful, no-nonsense women. They are my blueprint.
PGN: What is the most embarrassing event/thing that has happened while performing?
N: Luckily, I don’t get embarrassed but I would say the closest thing is when we performed at New York City Skate Key on a slippery picnic table back in like ’03. [Laughs] No one could hear the mics so they just turned around and kept skating.
IQ: Same show [laughs], Skate Key.
PGN: What was the craziest experience off the top of your head?
IQ: We performed in an outdoor festival in the woods in Tennessee called Idapalooza. I went on stage in my pajamas; it was that type of crowd. We performed our single “Take Ya Clothes Off” and by the end of the first hook the first three rows of girls were topless. Best audience ever.
PGN: What was the hardest/most difficult obstacle to overcome, and how did it change you into the musicians you are today?
N: I learned that the only obstacle is me. At times not feeling good enough or doubting that people would give an openly gay group a shot was quite haunting. I had to learn to keep pushing with confidence. I’m dope; just make good music with good intentions.
IQ: My most difficult obstacle to overcome was allhiphop.com outing us in the article “Black Lesbians Rock,” but I credit it as a major turning point in my career that taught me the power of truth.
PGN: If you could compare you journey to any fairytale or Disney movie/character, what would it be and why?
N: “Sleeping Beauty” because people keep sleeping on us! [Laughs] It’s time to wake up!
IQ: “Lion King” because I’m an obnoxious Leo and I love that movie. But Simba goes through trials and tribulations but at the end he wins.
PGN: Every artist has a message that causes them to create. What is your message? (This can be to young LGBTQ, allies or any widespread audience.)
N: Our message is love, acceptance and understanding. We want people on Planet Noriq to feel they can be whoever they want to be and achieve their dreams in spite of what people say.
PGN: Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
KIN: I would like to thank our management, Artists First Inc., for always having foresight and believing in our movement. And all the whack rappers for making us look even better.
PGN: Where are you guys touring, where can we look out to see you live? And where can your fans find everything on you?
N: We are currently in the process of recording a couple new albums so we will be planning a summer 2015 tour. Keep checking back with us at Kin4Life.com; it’s the hub, everything is there!
Alice Wills is a freelance actress who enjoys writing, taking classes at Koresh Dance Company and outreach.
Looking for more positive LGBTQIA events? Come out to the No Trace No Face Fashion Show hosted by Wills, Feb. 8: a silent protest and captivating fashion show held at the Cohesive Collection, 1215 Vine St. Doors open at 5 p.m. and show starts at 6. For tickets, visit www.nofacenotrace.eventbrite.com.