ILoveMakonnen is a rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his hit song ‘Tuesday,’ with famous singer Drake, which was released in 2014 and became a viral success.

He has since released several albums and has collaborated with many famous artists in the music industry.

In addition to his solo work, ILoveMakonnen has collaborated with many famous artists, including Drake, Lil Peep, Gucci Mane, and Skrillex. He has also been featured in other artists’ popular songs and albums.

The rapper also became famous for claiming to be the first Gay hip-hop star. Here is what we know about iLoveMakonnen’s gay journey in the musical world. 

ILoveMakonnen claimed to be the first gay rapper

ILoveMakonnen is openly gay. He has been open about his sexuality in his music and interviews and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and visibility. 

By being open about his sexuality, ILoveMakonnen has helped to increase representation and visibility for LGBTQ people in the HipHop industry.

Since his surprise rise to fame in 2019 and the subsequent revelation that he was homosexual, Lil Nas X has positioned himself as a pioneer for the LGBTQ+ rap scene. However, iLoveMakonnen believes his significance may be neglected.

Photo of ILoveMakonnen (Source: Instagram)

On Monday, November 8, 2021, iLoveMakonnen tweeted a slew of assertions, reminding supporters that he popularized homosexuality through rap. “I started this gay shit,” he wrote in a now-deleted tweet, according to Hotnews HipHop. 

The hip-hop star shared his news with a string of deleted tweets. He wrote, “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.”

Furthermore, in an interview with Variety, the artist said, “People have told me that it did help — that it’s given them the freedom and confidence to come out. Hip-hop needs that. It has for too long flirted with the gay community while also hating on the gay community.”

“Openly gay people support hip-hop but openly gay people don’t get supported by the culture they support and help thrive. I want to be a voice and a face for those in the industry and outside the industry — to let them know that they can just ‘do you’.”

ILoveMakonnen collaborated with Yellow Trash Can for his ‘My Gril Trans’ track

ILoveMakonnen has collaborated with Portland-based duo Yellow Trash Can to release ‘My Girl Trans,’ a tune in which the Los Angeles-born recording artist raps about what makes his girl so unique over playful, sparkly instrumentation.

Makonnen has been slowly promoting his track on Instagram, praising the small group of creatives that collaborated to make it happen. The cover image features half of a happy face with freckles and a moon tattoo, with the other half made out of tasty fruits, flowers, butterflies, and other adorable doodles.

ILoveMakonnen has Belizean ancestry

ILoveMakonnen, whose birth name is Makonnen Kamali Sheran, was born on April 12, 1989, in South Los Angeles, California. He was named after Makonnen, the father of Ras Teferi, who became Emperor Haile Selassie I.

His father, a first-generation immigrant from Belize, worked as an electrician, while his mother was a nail instructor with over 30 years of experience in the beauty industry. Makonnen described himself as having African American, Indian, Irish, Belgian, German, and Chinese ancestry in an interview.

As a young boy, Makonnen grew up in Los Angeles before moving to Atlanta with his family at the age of 13 due to his parents’ divorce. During his final year of high school, he tragically lost a close friend.

Influenced by his grandmother, who was a professional opera singer, Makonnen was surrounded by music from a young age and went on to pursue a successful career in the music industry.

Keep reading Glamour Buff for more exciting stories! 

Teenage Rapper Lil Purk to Serve 20 Years in Prison for Atlantic Station Double Murder

Teenage Rapper Lil Purk, real name Antonio Jackson, has been jailed for 20 years in prison for a deadly shooting near Atlantic Station in November 2022.

Five of the six defendants, Lil Purk, Demetrius Hill, Toney Wilson, Deandre Forston, and DeRodney Russell, entered negotiated guilty pleas, their sentences ranging from 20 to 40 years. 

The rapper was sentenced to 20 years, with 10 years to be served in custody and 10 years on probation. However, other suspects were sentenced to 40 years in jail.

Hill faced a more severe sentence, having negotiated a guilty plea resulting in 40 years of imprisonment. Of this term, he is slated to spend 30 years in custody.

Wilson received a similar 40-year sentence but with a different distribution—20 years in custody and an equal period on probation.

Forston and Russell, like their co-defendants, entered negotiated guilty pleas and received matching sentences of 40 years. In their cases, 20 years are to be served in custody, followed by an additional 20 years on probation.

Two young boys, 12-year-old Zyion Charles, and 15-year-old Cameron Jackson were left dead, and four other individuals were injured.

Zyion’s mother, Deerica Charles, spoke emotionally before the Atlanta City Council Public Safety Committee, revealing her desperate attempts to divert her son from a dangerous path of criminal behavior.

Despite her pleas to law enforcement, citing her son was involved in car break-ins, a prevalent form of street crime in Atlanta, she received little assistance. 

Deerica said, “I tried, y’all. I called the police office almost 30 times in the last two years, and they told me they can’t do nothing. I said he’s out and breaking into these folks’ cars, can you please get him off the street.”

On the other hand, Cameron’s family remembered him as a teenager with a passion for science, animals, cooking, and dirt bike riding. He had also been practicing boxing since the age of nine. 

Cameron’s mother, Tiffany Smith said, “Cameron has been a boxer since 9-years-old, and he was heading for a professional boxing career. He trained five days a week with a pro boxing coach.”

Additionally, according to 11Alive News, the shootout occurred on the 17th Street Bridge originated from two groups initially escorted off the Atlantic Station property due to unruly behavior and curfew violations.

Atlanta Police later confirmed their belief that the shooting was gang-related. However, Zyion’s family denied his involvement in any gang activity.

Lil Purk apologized after being arrested

Lil Purk took to his Instagram Story to publicly apologize to his family, fans, and the younger generation who have looked up to him. 

Taking to his Instagram Story, he started by saying, “To all my family & fans, I would like to sincerely apologize to y’all and to all the younger generation looking up to me.”

Lil Purk apologized after being arrested. (Source: Instagram)

Additionally, he emphasized the complexity of his situation, urging it to serve as a lesson for the entire generation, highlighting the notion that appearances can be deceiving. 

He wrote, “Let my situation be a lesson learned for our whole generation; everything is not what it seems, and I maintain my innocence.” 

Asserting his innocence, Lil Purk also expressed love for Lil Hot and extended apologies to families affected by the circumstances, urging forgiveness. 

Loren Gray Alleges Brent Rivera Has Unhealthy Relationship with His Sister Lexi Rivera

The TikTok community was set ablaze when Loren Gray took to TikTok to make shocking allegations against Brent Rivera, accusing him of having an unhealthy relationship with his sister, Lexi Rivera.

In a calculated move, Gray posted a video lip-syncing to the lyrics, “I’m still playing the victim and you’re still in love with your sister,” directly shading Brent and implying a dubious dynamic within his family. 

The controversy escalated when Brent’s ex-girlfriend, Eva Gutowski, commented with a stunned “Omg wait omg wait,” prompting Lexi to cryptically respond, “You would know.”

The TikTok quickly went viral, catching the attention of gossip enthusiasts, including the prominent tea page, teatoktalk, which reposted the video with the caption, “Whew! The tea is HOT because #lorengray came out of nowhere and shaded #brentriviera for having an unhealthy relationship with his sister #lexirivera.” 

Brent Riviera and his sister Lexi Rivera. (Source: Instagram)

Fans couldn’t resist adding their speculations to the mix, with one saying, “I KNEW IT. They always gave incest vibes, that whole friend group he would film with are into some weird [expletive].” 

Another expressed discomfort, writing, “That’s so uncomfortable [expletive]. I didn’t know he was still around even, but the fact he’s still doing this is nasty.” 

Exploring Brent Riviera and his sister Lexi Rivera’s relationship

YouTube sensations Brent and Lexi Rivera invited People into their abode for a special episode of the YouTube series, Celebrity Home Scavenger Hunt. 

Premiered on September 17, 2020, on the PeopleTV YouTube channel, the show offered an intimate glimpse into the lives of celebrities, combining the elements of a scavenger hunt and an interview. 

The sibling duo engaged in a series of challenges set by the People team. Brent revealed his penchant for collecting quirky props for his videos and spilled the beans on his habit of purchasing two costumes a week. 

He also shared insights into his life by disclosing the weirdest prop he ever bought and an item acquired from a TV or movie set. Meanwhile, Lexi, with eight years of gymnastics under her belt, embarked on a quest to find an item that “screams gymnastics” and disclosed the best gift she had ever received. 

Additionally, the California natives opened up about their sibling dynamics during the scavenger hunt, providing viewers with an entertaining peek into their lives.

As the scavenger hunt unfolded, the duo showcased their playful banter and sibling camaraderie, answering questions about their preferences and sharing amusing anecdotes. 

When asked who would play them in a TV show about their lives, Brent confidently nominated Ashton Kutcher or Zac Efron for himself, while Lexi, with a touch of uncertainty, embraced the idea of Angelina Jolie taking on her role. 

The episode concluded with a rapid-fire 60-second Q&A session, where Brent, after a spirited game of “rock, paper, scissors,” took on the role of the answerer. 

In this segment, he divulged unexpected details about his preferences, from his go-to slow dance song to the sibling who develops crushes more quickly. 

Brent Riviera and his sister Lexi Rivera are also close with their other siblings

Brent and his sister Lexi share a remarkable bond not only with each other but also with their other siblings, Brice Rivera and Blake Rivera. While Brice and Blake may not be content creators like Brent and Lexi, they play an integral role in the tight-knit family dynamic. 

Despite Blake’s initial camera shyness, Brent and Lexi managed to bring him into the limelight with a special video titled “SURPRISING MY BROTHER WITH A CAR FOR HIS BIRTHDAY!!” 

Brice, on the other hand, actively participates in the fun, featuring in entertaining “Who knows me better” videos for both Lexi and Brent. Similarly, all four Rivera siblings frequently join forces in Lexi’s videos, creating content that resonates with their audience. 

Lexi, known for her playful teasing, has incorporated her brothers into hilarious “Overprotective brothers” videos, capturing their reactions to various pranks and challenges, ranging from a fake hickey to her Scandalous outfits.

Indie Artist Noelle Sucks Claims Olivia Rodrigo’s SNL Performance Is a Ripoff of Her Work

Indie artist Noelle Sucks has voiced serious concerns over potential plagiarism, asserting that Olivia Rodrigo‘s recent Saturday Night Live (SNL) performance has striking similarities to her own previous work.

Sucks took to Instagram to share her perspective, stating, “I am pretty sure my art got stolen and put on Saturday Night Live for Olivia Rodrigo’s most recent SNL performance. I just want to know what you guys think after I show you some facts.”

The base of her argument lies in a side-by-side comparison of her music video called ‘YOUR MOM CALLS ME’ from a few years ago with Rodrigo’s SNL performance, both centered around a “tea party gone wrong” concept that transitions from calm and pretty to angsty.

Sucks meticulously pointed out resemblances, emphasizing identical dance moves, such as cake smashing, sugar pouring, and hand gestures, performed by both herself and Rodrigo and their respective dance crews.

Notably, she also underscored the similarities in camerawork between the two videos, suggesting a potential replication or inspiration.

Furthermore, Sucks realized both she and Rodrigo’s creative director, Tarik Mikou, have a mutual friend who had publicly shared Sucks’ music on social media.

Sucks’ friend commented, “@noellesucks!!! This guy stole the Your Mom Calls Me music video concept from u.”

Additionally, her other friends, suspecting plagiarism, commented on Mikou’s Instagram accusing him of wrongdoing, which was later swiftly deleted.

Upon messaging her concerns on Mikou’s Instagram, Sucks faced no reply. Moreover, Mikou unfollowed their mutual connection and remained unresponsive to Sucks’s direct message on Instagram.

Fans opinion on the matter. (Source: Instagram)

The controversy’s curiosity grew as fans joined the discussion and voiced their dissatisfaction over the alleged plagiarism. A fan remarked, “the unfollowing and limiting of the comments told me everything I needed to know.”

Another fan added, “the unfollowing and limiting of the comments told me everything I needed to know lmao.” “Wowww. I’ve seen other artist I know get ripped off by her team before. So messed up,” another comment read.

Brief bio on Noelle Sucks

Noelle Sucks emerges as a distinctive force in the music scene, defying easy categorization with a unique blend of indie, shoegaze, pop, and rock that creates an emotional soundscape, as per her official website. 

Born into a musically talented family, Noelle’s artistic journey took a pivotal turn after a life-altering brush with death at the age of 13 during a major surgery. 

Raised with deeply spiritual views by her parents, the absence of any heavenly visions during this near-death experience challenged and reshaped her long-held beliefs, prompting a profound transformation in her perspective on life.

The recovery period from her surgery, though sidelining her from traditional schooling, became a catalyst for Sucks’ creativity. During this time, she began conceptualizing music videos for existing songs and discovered her passion for editing homemade videos. 

The newfound interest propelled her towards film school, and eventually, a return to music was sparked by a significant breakup at the age of 23, inspiring her to create her first song. 

Describing her early musical endeavors as a process of “catching up,” the artist filled in the gaps from the years she spent immersed in film and other pursuits.

Her musical career took a significant turn with the release of her ‘Out of Orbit’ EP in 2022. Her ability to traverse difficult emotions through her music was demonstrated in the EP, which delved into the complexities of emotions resulting from a breakup with her friend group. 

Notably, her connections nurtured at Emo Nite, an event central to her personal and artistic growth, have come full circle with her signing to Emo Nite’s new label, Graveboy Records. 

The debut single ‘Ugly Ugly,’ released on September 22, 2023, stands as a significant milestone.

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