Genre-Bending

When you think of hip-hop, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t the GLBT community — unless, of course, you’re focusing on the genre’s heterosexist tendencies to ridicule and vilify the queer lifestyle. It’s really a shame that mainstream hip-hop consists of mindless ditties by “artists” like Nelly and Jay-Z, since there’s also a thriving underground scene, including a wide range of socially conscious hip-hop weighing in on such hot topics as abortion, the objectification of women, the glorification of gang violence and drug abuse. Sadly, such intelligent music rarely makes it to the airwaves.

Take the power back by indulging in some really alternative hip-hop tonight at a Bent Lens Cinema production, HomoHop West: GLBT Hip-Hop in the Rockies. The program consists of the film Pick Up the Mic, director Alex Hinton’s portrayal of GLBT hip-hop, plus a special live performance by the Deep Dickollective. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Oriental Theater, 4335 West 44th Avenue; tickets are $10 for students, $20 for everyone else. For more information, visit www.bentlens.org.
Thu., April 26, 7:30 p.m.