On October 19th, VH1 will present “LHH: Out in Hip Hop” at 11PM ET/PT, an hour-long roundtable discussion celebrating being out in the hip hop community and posing the question: Is hip hop homophobic?
Moderated by ABC News’ T.J. Holmes, the open dialogue will include a studio audience that has been touched by the Miles and Milan story line on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood." They will be joined by artists and cultural experts speaking candidly on homophobia within the hip hop industry.
The panelists include a diverse lineup of talent from various backgrounds and experiences, including television and radio personalities, hip hop artists, film producers, writers, activists and religious leaders within American pop-culture and the LGBT community.
Panelists include:
- – (Moderator) T.J. Holmes- is a journalist and national television personality. He is currently an ABC News Correspondent.
- – Big Freedia- is considered the “Queen of Bounce,” which is a subgenre of hip hop music born out of New Orleans that is known for its call and response style and lightning speed booty shaking dance.
- – Buttahman- is a former MTV/ BET executive and TV/ Radio personality who is currently doing stand-up in LA.
- – Cakes Da Killa- is a 25-year old New Jersey rapper who is often on the shortlist of up and coming emcees.
- – Chuck Creekmur- is the co-Founder and co-CEO of AllHipHop.com and a journalist.
- -Clay Cane- is the Entertainment Editor at BET.com. He is also the creator and producer of the documentary “Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church.”
- – D. Smith- is a transgender music producer, artist and songwriter who has worked with many artists, including Lil Wayne and Katy Perry.
- – DMC- is considered one of the pioneers of hip hop culture and founding members of the hip hop group Run-DMC.
- – Emil Wilbekin- is the President of World of Wilbekin, former Editor in Chief of Vibe Magazine and former Editor at Large of Essence Magazine.
- – Fizz- is an actor and rapper, formerly of the R&B group B2K. Currently, he is a cast member of VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.”
- – Fly Young Red- is an openly gay hip hop artist; his video “Throw That Boy P*ssy” became a viral sensation.
- – Felicia Pearson- is an actress best known for playing Snoop on “The Wire.”
- – Karamo Brown- is a host for Huffington Post Live, an HLN contributor and a single father.
- – Michael Arceneaux- is a Complex Magazine entertainment writer.
- – Nneka Onuorah- is the director of “The Same Difference,” a documentary about the black lesbian experience.
- – Ray J- is a singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He is currently a cast member on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.”
- – Pastor Delman Coates- is the Pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Maryland and a vocal supporter of marriage equality and LGBT acceptance within the church.
- – Pastor Jamal Bryant- is a Pastor of the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore and he offers an alternative view on the LGBT community in the church.
- – Pastor Kevin Taylor- is the Pastor of “Unity Fellowship” in Newark, NJ. He is openly gay and an LGBT advocate.
- – Sharon Lettman-Hicks- is the Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition. She is featured in a documentary called “The New Black,” which explores traditional church attitudes toward the LGBT community.
- – SIYA- is a rapper who stars in Oxygen’s “Sisterhood of Hip Hop.”
Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood’s own Miles and Milan will also be present, discussing their personal experiences since the show has premiered.
During the special, VH1 will have information on organizations that specialize in LGBT rights and awareness. These organizations will be accessible at outinhiphop.vh1.com.
"LHH: Out In Hip Hop" is executive produced by Mona Scott-Young and Stephanie Gayle for Monami Entertainment and Toby Barraud, Stefan Springman, Mala Chapple and Robyn Nish Friedman for Eastern TV. Susan Levison, Nina L. Diaz, Vivian Gomez, and Ken Martinez are executive producers for VH1.
