SADEEQ ALI

“Very gay” Brit rapper, Sadeeq says there’s now a market for LGBTIQ voices.

“Very gay” Brit rapper, Sadeeq Ali says there’s now a market for LGBTIQ voices in hip-hop. He spoke to Marc Andrews.

DNA: Your Get The Cake video is frightening and confrontational. Are you taking revenge on heterosexuals?

Sadeeq: I recorded that song in October 2018 and after some time thought it would be interesting to use The Joker as the focal point for the video because I love Heath Ledger’s performance in The Dark Knight. That character represents a quiet and unpredictable strength usually attributed to stereotypical forms of masculinity, so I suppose by using him I’m rebelling against usual labels attached to gay people.

If the N word is okay for you to use (in “all the n ***** on my dick ’cos I stain it” on Bankrupt), what about the F word?

I find that in a lot of American queer spaces the F word is used. It’s similar to the N word being reclaimed by African-Americans. To me it feels like the oldest trick in the book – I’ll say all of the terrible things you could possibly say about me and it strips you of your power. Just like Eminem’s iconic rap battle scene in 8 Mile. I can understand and respect how and why others would disagree with that though.

Do you direct all your videos?

I do. “Control freak” is putting it lightly! [Laughs.] I get way too obsessive over the minutiae.

Where do you plot yourself on the scale of sexuality?

Very gay! [Laughs.]

What are the issues you rap about? Generally speaking, my music talks about my relationships with other men, how I view myself and competition among other rappers. There are two songs on my upcoming mixtape that are a little more personal and ballad driven, so I’m excited about those.

When did you realise you have a gift for rapping?

I would rap as a joke with my friends when I was in high school. It was never something I thought I could, or would, do but around 2016 I started to feel like I had a voice worth sharing with other people.

Has Lil Nas X’s coming out changed things in the hip-hop world at all?

For sure. Now there’s indisputable proof there’s a market for LGBTIQ-identifying voices in hiphop and that’s really cool.

Who would you most like to work with?

I’d love to work with Britney Spears one day. I look up to and love Nicki Minaj so much. I love Eminem, too. I always try to push myself to come up with complex rap lyrics like he does. I love the way Beyoncé carries herself. She’s so dignified and respectable. It’s inspiring to watch.

What was your childhood like?

I spent most of my life going back and forth between London and Minnesota. My Somali parents didn’t know too much about the entertainment industry, so I had to tend to those dreams independently.

Are you the face of the anti-Trump?

I definitely hold the same sentiments any antiTrumper would. I can only hope people who are a part of the disenfranchised communities he regularly targets are empowered by my music one day.

What causes are close to your heart?

I’ve been involved with the LGBT center in Los Angeles. They give queer youth the opportunity to find a safe and loving environment that doesn’t judge them for who they are. It’s a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of.

Are you romantically attached?

I’m in a full-blown relationship with my up-coming mixtape right now! [Laughs.]

What do you look for in a partner?

Someone who can make me ugly laugh. Someone who I find respectable not only for what they do but how they treat others around them.

What are your best and worst features?

My best feature is my persistence. Failure’s never been an option. [Laughs.] I guess my worst feature is the unrealistic and unkind expectations I place upon myself at times. What’s one thing that might surprise people about you?

I love doing improv comedy and it’s been one of the best experiences of my life.

What do you like to do when you’re not rapping?

Acting, comedy, reading a good book. Anytime my close friends and I can catch up is time well spent, too.

What do you wear to the beach?

Basketball shorts. I think speedos are amazing if you have the package to fill them out and I will be looking! [Laughs.]

The F word is used in a lot of American queer spaces. It’s similar to the N word being reclaimed by African-Americans.

MORE: Check out Sadeeq’s videos on YouTube, stream his music on all platforms and find him on Instagram (@sadeeqyy) and Twitter (@sadeeqyyy)