Kidd Kenn Made History As The First Openly Gay Male Rapper In BET's Hip Hop Awards Cypher — Now, He's Ready For What's Next
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In 2021, then-18-year-old rapper Kidd Kenn made history by becoming the first openly gay male rapper to participate in BET's coveted Hip Hop Awards Digital Cypher. His fiery delivery received widespread praise.
BET's "cypher" is an annual tradition where rappers are invited to freestyle at the Hip Hop Awards. Typically, only the most skilled lyricists are asked to participate.
Since then, Kidd Kenn — real name Dontrell Smith — has released a vinyl and limited edition doll set at Target, and has his songs featured in the Madden NFL 22 and NBA 2k23 video game soundtracks.
As part of BuzzFeed's Black, Out & Proud interview series honoring Black queer trailblazers during Black History Month, we spoke to Kidd Kenn about why here's more than just a "gay rapper," why he was surprised to learn Lil Nas X is a fan of his music, plus more. Check it out ahead.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
"It's like, yes, I am gay. We know that already," Kidd Kenn said when I asked him about being labeled a "gay rapper." "Once I start rapping, [people] start paying attention to the words I'm saying, and all of [the labeling] goes out of the window."
His confidence is reflective of his upbringing. The Chicago native says he came out "in the fifth grade" and was immediately embraced by his family and friends. "When I made the decision to come out, nobody treated me any differently. Nothing changed. If anything, everything got better," he recalled.
It was just a few years later that Kidd Kenn would receive recognition for his artistic abilities, going viral with his 2018 song, "No Brakes." However, his newfound fame didn't come without a swarm of internet trolls.
"The hate [I receive] motivates me," he told BuzzFeed when asked about how he navigates social media as a public figure. "It makes me want to continue," he boasted.
"Seeing [people] mad because I'm just being myself and living my life, which is something they should be doing. ... I laugh at it."
The 21-year-old has pointed thoughts for people who claim he's pushing an unfounded "gay agenda" in the media. "What the fuck do they mean I'm pushing an agenda?" he questioned. "People who say that are closed-minded. I just pray for them."
As for the positive support he's received, Kidd Kenn said he was most surprised to learn that fellow openly gay artist Lil Nas X is a fan of his work.
"I was on Twitter one night scrolling through my message requests and saw that [Lil Nas X] DM'd me before he blew up with 'Old Town Road,'" Kidd Kenn revealed.
"I didn't even know who Lil Nas X was when he sent the message," he said. "He sent me two messages saying, 'You really can [rap]' and 'I fuck with your bars. Never stop.' [It was] so sweet."
Kidd Kenn was starstruck when he got invited to Rihanna's 2019 Savage x Fenty Show afterparty during New York Fashion Week.
"That was my first Fashion Week and my first time in a room with so many celebrities," he gushed. "I met Lil' Kim that night. ... Rihanna was at the bar. I was thinking to myself, What the fuck am I doing here? How am I around these people? How did this happen?"
Reflecting on his historic BET cypher, Kidd Kenn told me, "It just felt so good. There was something about when I came onscreen and how [the crowd] lit the fuck up. ... I was just so shocked."
"I was looking around and everybody was cheering and so excited to see me there. ... I felt like I was that bitch," he added with a laugh.
According to Kidd Kenn, being featured in GLAAD's "20 Under 20: Young LGBTQ People Shaping The Future of Media and Activism," getting nominated for a GLAAD award for Outstanding Breakthrough Artist, and being included in OUT Magazine’s annual OUT100 list is all humbling.
"I remember dreaming about being in those types of rooms and doing the things I'm doing now. It's so surreal," he admitted.
"I always think big," he insisted. "When I came up with my [stage name, inspired by Nicki Minaj], I thought, 'One day I'll have a doll.' But how quickly it came [into fruition with Target], I did not expect that."
Still, Kidd Kenn said the biggest lesson he's learned is having patience. "When I want something, I want it right then and there. I've learned to take my time with things. I want to do it the right way, not the forced way."
Considering all he's accomplished thus far, he's well on his way to doing just that. Thanks for chatting with us, Kidd Kenn! Be sure to keep up with him here.
You can read more Black, Out & Proud interviews here.
