As the months go by, we continue to shine on to stories of artists that have had to deal with the topic surrounding PRIDE.
This week we decide to talk about iLoveMakonnen and his story.
iLoveMakonnen Story
Makonnen Sheran is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter and is mostly known for his stage name iLoveMakonnen. He grew into fame when Drake remixed his song “Tuesday”.
During the beginning of his career, he made music on his uploading to MySpace and other sites. As he slowly gained the recognition of another artist he was under house arrest. In which he cleaned up his act and went to school.
It wasn’t until 2014 that he began to rise into popularity once again. After recording sessions and meeting producers his career began to look up. By being remixed by Drake, his popularity sky-rocketed and he was in shock by how fast his career took off. He eventually went on to sign with Drake’s label OVO Sound. But in 2016, he decided to part ways after some differences with the label and signed on with Warner Bros.
THE COMING OUT STORY
In January 2017, iLoveMakonnen officially came out as gay.
In a now-deleted tweet, the artist officially came out in a series of tweets that stated:
Someone said to me next time they see me, they were gonna fuck me, I said next time I see me, I’m gonna love me up
— Oceanic Makonnen (@iLoveMakonnen5D)
As a fashion icon, I can’t tell u about everybody else’s closet, I can only tell u about mine, and it’s time I’ve come out.
— Oceanic Makonnen (@iLoveMakonnen5D)
And since y’all love breaking news, here’s some old news to break, I’m gay. And now I’ve told u about my life, maybe u can go live yours?
— Oceanic Makonnen (@iLoveMakonnen5D)
He also then went on to thank his fans for the love and support via Instagram post.
So What Has This Caused?
While there has been non-stop supporting for the now open artist, there are also gossip and rumors. After four years of coming out as gay iLoveMakonnen has come to Twitter to express how now he is being “discredited” for his work. In a series of tweets, he discusses how he is now being treated like he was not part of the rise of hip-hop in the 2014-2015 era.
There have been accusations that his coming-out story is part of a promotion. There have been gossips threads on how he is no longer a part of the influence and growth of hip-hop. And he has even called out how many artists deny who they are at risk of their fame. To read his interview on this topic, click here.
So now he calls to action that while he has come out and is open about who he is finally, the community needs to remember that it was his work as an artist that made him famous. Regardless of his likes and dislikes, as an artist, he is part of the hip-hop community and a pioneer for music. And it is time to remember that not only is he a gay man, but a gay artist in the hip-hop community who has had a big influence on us all.
