RISING STAR
Squashing stereotypes and bending gender rules, singer Aaron Porter, 27, tells Attitude why he wants to be the music role model he never had
British singer Aaron Porter
What was the inspiration behind your breakout track,
Boy?
I was having an internal fight one night over what to wear to a club that had a “masc” situation going on. If I gave in and wore masculine get- up, I would be more likely to pull. But deep down I knew that that wasn’t what I wanted to wear. Boy is about me being my complete self, not giving into social stigmas or gender conformities.
So it’s not about a boy who you dated?
In this case, I’m talking to the boy in me who every now and then still compromises his expression to be more attractive — or less offensive
— to the people around him.
I’m always looking for new inspiration, though, so if you know any single men…
Tell us your best worst breakup story.
It makes me look terrible… I can’t give you the full tea, but I basically broke up with someone at a Sam Smith concert, just before Stay with Me came on. That was pretty horrific!
What statement are you trying to make with your image, which plays with masculine and feminine norms?
I don’t know why there has to be such a gap between the two. We all possess masculine and feminine qualities. It comes down to breaking those barriers and stereotypes because when you fuse opposites you get something really beautiful, especially in art.
Who were your idols when you were a kid?
There were so many artists I was obsessed with, from Seal to Whitney, MJ to Britney, but none I can say I truly idolised. No one was delivering my truth.
“I was obsessed with many artists but no one was delivering
my truth”
You studied at the renowned Brit School. Anyone famous among your peers?
I had Jordan and Harley from Rizzle Kicks in my year — lovely boys.
What do you think you bring to the industry? Is there a void that you are filling?
I’m delivering an unapologetic, honest and dignified message of diversity. As a young, gay black man, I never had a role model who represented this.
I’ve had a crazy amount of support from people who are thankful to see someone who’s unafraid to use their masculinity and femininity.
What obstacles have you had to overcome as an openly queer artist?
I’m yet to have any negatives thrown at me, but maybe that is to come. The industry has always been filled with gays, it’s just now we’re able to show our faces. I’m ready at a time when I believe the world is ready for me.
Was there anything about your sexuality that you struggled with while growing up?
I didn’t really consider that I would have to start trusting men and stop assuming that they were all bad. Abandonment issues, I guess. Once I got over that, I learned to absolutely love being gay.
How old were you when you came out?
I was about 20. I had only ever seen one gay guy in my home town [ East Grinstead]. When I was ready, I called my mum and her response was: “I’ve known since you were seven.” Then I sent a group message to practically all the contacts in my phone and spent the whole evening crying after receiving the most amazingly reassuring messages.
Do you believe there is a stigma attached to being a gay black man?
It is definitely changing but we gay black men often find ourselves in the strange situation of suffering from homophobia within the black community, then systemic racism from the white gays. We’re often fetishised, too. I’ve also been told a few times: “I don’t usually like black guys, but I think you’re well fit,” which just promotes the Westernised perception of beauty — leaving us with an internalised feeling of not being good enough.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I have my first headline gig at Thousand Island in Highbury, North London, on 5 March. Come down and have a boogie!
New single I Wanna Let Love is out now