Syd tha Kyd discusses her sexuality

During a conversation with LA Weekly, Odd Future DJ and one-half of The Internet, Syd tha Kyd talked about her sexuality and why she decided to ‘come out.’ A rare instance within the world of hip-hop, with FADER pointing out that it’s not been since Brooklyn rapper Queen Pen addressed the issue back in 1997 on her LP My Melody, referring to “Girlfriend” a riff on Me’Shell NdegeOcello’s “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night).” Read what Syd had to say below.

“I decided to do it because I wish I had someone like that [an openly gay female artist] while I was coming up. People write on my Tumblr just thanking me for making the video, saying that I really inspire them, and they want to be like me. But I wasn’t always this way, this comfortable with myself, and I remember what that was like. So I figure, fuck it. Everyday people aren’t given this opportunity and I realize that. And I didn’t at first. I thought I was just lucky to be along for the ride… We didn’t make the video to make a statement about Odd Future and homophobia. It was to showcase a song by the Internet… the world is just now starting to become open about homosexuality. I can’t really say I’ve contributed to that, and I’m grateful to the people who have set a path for me to be who I am today. And I guess in that sense I want to return the favor.”