Earlier this year, Miami’s own Bobby Lytes emerged as the first openly gay cast member of “Love & Hip Hop: Miami,” kin to the Baddest Bitch, Trina. But, before his groundbreaking appearance on the hit show, Lytes made a name for himself in them music industry, with a musical feature in Complex magazine in 2012 and the release of his first single two years later.
But now, in his continued effort to make it in the industry, as a black, gay man, Lytes is using his platform to raise and spread awareness for the LGBTQ community, all while spitting hot fire, as a forced to be reckoned with in a straight male-dominated industry.
In a recent interview with Baller Alert ahead of the premiere of season two of the Miami installment, Lytes opened up about his love for music, his journey and career, and spilled all the tea about his forthcoming appearance on the hit VH1 show.
“I started singing first – I started doing music at age 15,” Lytes revealed. “Then around age 20 – I would say 19 going to 20 – I said you know what, I’m gonna try rapping cause I feel like I can. I feel like I can tell my story more gritty with me rapping.”
At the time, despite his new desire to rap, he was reluctant to continue because of his sexuality, as he was out of the closet and openly gay, by then.
“So I was like, I’m not sure if this is gonna work for hip hop,” he said. “I’m not sure if rappers are gonna take me serious. I’m not sure if the hip hop industry is gonna accept me. But then, I was kind of encouraged by a lot of people that kind of did it before me.”
Lytes drew his inspiration from other openly gay musicians, and allowed himself to be unapologetically himself, despite the discomfort of others. And now, Lytes is looking to be a voice for the voiceless in the LGBTQ community, and create new narratives about gay men and gay men in the industry.
“I feel that we should be at a place now in society where a gay guy can be friends with a straight guy and it be okay,” Lytes said, as he elaborated about his friendship and fallout with Prince, some of which was captured in season one.
“The big issue with me and Prince was that prior to Prince and I being friends, there was already speculations about him and Trey Songz or something like that,” Lytes said. “That was like a thing. I don’t know what the rumor was but I guess that they were a crush or dating or something – which is to me ridiculous.”
“If you know both of them – and I’ve been around Trey because of Prince – I’ve seen there whole – Prince brings bitches for Trey,” Lytes clarified, adding that Prince can be feminine, but maintained that’s just his steelo.
Despite the controversy over their friendship, which highlighted the stigma of gay and straight men being friends – Lytes clarified the two are simply, just friends.
Elsewhere in the interview, Lytes revealed his mission as an artist and personality, saying, “I’m here to change lives, open doors, break down barriers and put a smile on everybody’s face, especially my community. The LGBTQ community.
Lytes also shared his opinion on Caitlyn Jenner’s impact in the LGBTQ community, dished on his relationship with Trina, plugged his new music, talked Bobby Rap Snacks and spilled the tea on all things “Love and Hip Hop: Miami.”
Check out the full episode below:
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