Atlanta Black Pride 2017- J. Watts Perspective

This was one of the greatest times known to life, and not even because of the gay stuff. Lol.

I went on the request of my homie Moe. Moe is working on building up our own local pride events and we went down to meet up with Moe's friend Khaos. Khaos knows Genius (it's really Jeanyus, but I just knew is was with a G) and me... I'm just damn Watts. And I like Watts, but their names are cooler lol. Khaos is a local Atlanta rapper with a pretty big catalog. Genius is her producer and they both work and reside in The Boombox. His beats are just magical... He was playing through them and I was writing bars to everything. That's where we stayed for the weekend and I won't lie, it was trippy not being in the engineers seat. But it was also a fucking awesome environment and that's what I'd love to do. Own a house with a few artists and put in damn work.

So Khaos and Genius also have a whole show called YoLGBTRaps, YLR for short, and they were tasked with doing the media presence for the whole damn Pride. We got there Thursday night and pulled up to a fashion show. Atlanta fashion is a trip to me, but I was impressed in some spots. I was just trying to not be seen because I was NOT dressed for that. lol. Nonetheless, we were still pulling. Special s/o to bowtie guy man (lol). The night was lowkey. Sposed to go out, but nah. Instead, we were in the studio listening through the set list for Khaos' performance.

Friday, we didn't do shit all day. We got up and continued getting that set list together, but it was a chill day. We ended up at an outdoor bonfire which wasn't as heavily attended as one would think. There's a hookah bus in Atlanta you can rent, there were two edibles tables, food, and other stuff. One edibles dude was lame, but the black dude with the hockey mask came with the treats man. lol. Khaos ended up with purple sparkly lips too. We were sposed to go somewhere else, but ended up in the house for a while. Thing about the whole gay pride thing: there are events geared towards women and others geared towards men. We went to the wrong one. That is all. Lol.

Saturday, slow morning and then we had a mini issue with the music for the show. But we went to the day party and that's where a majority of my videos came from. Boy. THERE WERE SO MANY WOMANS (and Genius lol) everywhere. Studs, femmes, stud like femmes, femme like studs, every size, shape, and special feature you could think of, she was there, too. Plus the damn venue was cool. There was a whole balcony section where we were and then behind the stage, there was VIP for the performers and whatnot. I don't even remember if there was alcohol, but it was lit without it. Plus, we had the trees on our side lol.

For that party, Khaos performed a whole compilation of songs. She killed it and Moe joined her on stage as hypeman. It was such a great duo, they'll do it again. So the other thing I noticed about this was the difference in the artists depending on hometown. Khaos and Moe are from Atl. But you had folks from Florida, Texas, and other places and you could really tell the difference in their music. There was another big eye opener for me. I always thought if you're on, everybody has heard of you. That's so far from the truth. In short, lots of people know Young MA, but there's a large movement of LGBT artists and they're not to be slept on. They have fans and tours. They're out here booking shows and shit, even if you're not seeing their names in lights.

After the artists performed, they had drag kings out there, maybe two or three. Another big eye opener: in TN, drag kings and queens pretty much lip sync, collect the dollars, and be out. Not down here baby. These folks were on WHOLE new levels and not a lyric was mimicked lol. Please just go look at the video for the proof. The gifs will make so much more sense. LMAO. After that, they had strippers come out. Keke Palmer was supposed to be judging them, but I'm not sure she was even paying attention the way the press was crowding her. The ending was a wet t-shirt contest. There was just SO MUCH GOING ON indoors and out!

Sunday, I don't think we ever made it to any event to be honest. Like, I don't remember. At all. I'mma have to look through the videos lol. Anyway, I remember going somewhere because wait...... I REMEMBER!

We went to the park. I believe that's where all prides lead. Prior to that, we went and got

shirts and logos put on some stuff. Alright, random note here: I wish I had brought more money, but life. We went to a place where you can get designs added to stuff and it's a secret so I can't tell you where. But they had some of the most unique stuff in there and this boss ass painting I wanted. Anyway, we went and Khaos got her logo added to some stuff and Moe and I got Pride 61V shirts made. Be on the lookout for big news in that direct. In the pictures, you can see the ones we got made, as well as the burger shirt with the YLR logo Khaos got made. It's to do with Bob's Burgers or something. lol.

Anywho, we went to the park and did a few interviews and I was given the job of catching people twerking. Rolled a blunt, almost got caught by the police. Nothing major happened here, but I think we were just in the wrong section lol. We did get a couple interviews, met with a ton of cool people they already know. Somehow, we didn't stay for Cardi B, which given that's like Moe's favorite song, I don't know how we missed it. We did go eat some nachos and watched this stud flip her shit. I just felt bad; can't have no feelings at these types of events bro. Lol. After chilling at the house for a while (I took a nap), we rode back at about 1am on Monday morning. During that ride, I came up with Riding w/ Watts. Keep your eyes open for the first edition.

OVERALL

Man, I felt like the little nerdy annoying brother the whole time. Lol. I'll be real, I definitely need to come better prepared outfit wise and paper wise. The styles in ATL by itself are already ahead of some of us, but then you include the stud aspect. Think of an old pic of Da Brat. Got it? That's them now; bandana with the glasses with the watch with the chain and the bandana match the boxers and the socks match the glasses and it's just like... I'm a simple nigga with my polo and jeans but I feel like maybe that's the time to show out. I'm still gon be me though. You gotta listen to these videos because Khaos and Moe are fuckin idiots. Even Genius made fun of our mannish ways, but boys will be boys right? lol. I'm just glad I got to ride along and be apart of the inside jokes and memories made. The networking opportunities are phenomenal, but again, I gotta step up my confidence in THAT market before I'm just ready to dive in. It was great just being in that element with so many like-minded individuals that I can identify with beyond music as well. I know I can't wait for the next one.

Check out more KhaosDaRapper and Jeanyus

Soundclound: https://soundcloud.com/khaosdarapper

YLR Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/YOLGBTRAPS

Official Site: http://newboombox.com/

Learn about Pride 61V 2018

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