DeMario Thornoton, aka Raz B, is interviewed by Pink Mafia Radio during last week's appearance at Club 501 in Washington DC. The podcast is one of the better recent interviews with the artist—up for discussion are his new album and solo career, homophobia in hip-hop, and, the gay rumors and controversy that has followed him ever since last summer's performance at Oakland's black gay pride. Instead of running from the innuendo—and possible PR backlash—the former B2K member says that he's embracing his gay fans and hopes to perform at several pride events this summer. "If you don't like someone because of their sexual preference, there's something wrong with you. I'm about lifting people up, not putting people down." The teen heart-throb was also asked point black, are you gay?
Let's just say he handles the question well.
Steven at PinkMafiaRadio has also uploaded 60 plus images from the performance into a Flickr photostream. The mohawk hasn't grown on us yet—having grown up in the 80s, been there, done that—and we're much more partial to the skateboarder look featured on his new flash website. But Lil Raz is so adorable, specially the lip action and the ... thighs. The 'hawk is a good fit for his new alternative sound and direction.
Postscript: On a lighter note, Raz offers somewhat of an explanation for those gayish pics of B2K's underwear party in an Orlando hotel room seen here and here.
Podcast: Interview with Raz B (Pink Mafia Radio)
Previously:
Heart of Love (Rod 2.0) No Ray J (Rod 2.0) Ray J's One Wish (Rod 2.0) Trade Alert (Rod 2.0) Raz B Has Pride (Rod 2.0) Kanye on Gay Bashing (Rod2.0) Hip Hop and Homosexuality (Keith Boykin) Hip-Hop and Homophobia (Rod 2.0) Kanye: "My Own Homophobia" (Rod 2.0) Stuff Like This (Scott Poulson-Bryant) A "Gay Friendly" Voice (Rod 2.0) Is Hip-Hop Homophobic? (Vibe)
I love you Rod. That is why I always check you out 2 or 3 times a day. You always have something that interests me. Like this A-1 Sauce of a male specimen Raz B. I am trying with all I can to get our Pride board of directors here in Long Beach to invite him here. He is truly a hottie-pa-tootie. Gay, straight or whatever....I would drink the boys bath water.
I know guys......I am seeing a therapist, lol.
Mark
Posted by: Mark Norris | 30 January 2006 at 00:06
wow he has nice lips...
Posted by: boogie tonight | 30 January 2006 at 00:08
Is there a site on the web where there is more of those "infamous pics" of the B2K hotel romp in their underwear? Someone please post the info or Rod include in your next installment-by the way; Love your Magazine. Got any info on Shanice?...I love her new Single, "Every Woman's Dream." Her CD is supposed to drop soon..
Posted by: rubold | 30 January 2006 at 00:41
Rod, You are the BEST. I love your site and am so proud to have my interview with Raz featured on your blog. I hope your readers enjoy listening to the interview as much as I did recording it. I hope that his gay/sgl fans throw some of the support back at him when his new album comes out.
Posted by: Steven | 30 January 2006 at 01:01
I really admire this guy he's really not only taken to his gay fans, which come on B2K was like a gay mans wet dream. I think not only performing at Pride but at clubs and appearing on the PinkMafia Radio was a huge step for him. I"m proud this kid is not dissin his fans, but embracing them!
Posted by: Steven | 30 January 2006 at 07:48
The big question is: Does he screen calls? Only gay screen calls... Heh. Glad that another hip-hop artist is turning away from homophobia.
Posted by: Marc | 30 January 2006 at 11:11
That was a great interview. He really got my respect on how he handled the questions and all. I think he's really going to open the doors for alot of folks to be more accepting of their gay supporters througout the industry. Im so mad I didnt get to go. I completely forgot about it.
Posted by: huhotboi | 30 January 2006 at 13:52
And the color is Red...
Toto!! Toto!!
Listen, stop being so naiive haven't you learned by now that
98.9% of the time when a guy
is that HOT like RazB
he usually
"B" GAY
Posted by: divaROSSishere! | 30 January 2006 at 21:52
Where in that interview did he talk about the underwear party?
Anyone?
Posted by: song_bird2103 | 31 January 2006 at 06:45
To answer your question song bird at17 min 16 seconds into the show I asked Raz about the level of sexuality in his past including the hotel and underwear photos. Also at 21 min 09 seconds his manager addresses the issue of people paying more attention to the “photos that create those controversies” about Raz’s sexuality then they do to hard facts about other Hip Hop artists committing rapes and murders. She continues to address the hotel photos and the backlash created by those images when she talks about how in Hip Hop “its better to be a murderer then to be gay, and that’s something that we need to address as a people, because it’s a sad state if that’s the way it is”
Posted by: Steven | 31 January 2006 at 12:39
I love this Magazine. It is refreshing and inviting.
P.S. Please find more info on RazB and 50 Cent. (Well after all, I'm only concerned about there well-being...wink...lol). Thanks.
jAY aLLEN
Posted by: Jay Allen | 01 February 2006 at 07:45
hey man di nigga is hot (he's grown a little bit)..yo Rod yo site is informative and entertaining..more because we catz in South Africa gets informed about dem fells in da US..keep up the good work...Thiery
Posted by: Rize Africa | 01 February 2006 at 08:39
I am so glad he is playing that role on Noah's Arc. I have ALWAYS had a major crush on him and J Boog back when the group was still intact.
If only I could act alongside him to kiss those lips! Mmmmmmm....
Much love to him and the cast of the Arc (especially that Wade!)
Peace
Posted by: Te Be | 26 May 2006 at 22:26
First of all I kno' my man Raz-B aka "Demario Monte Thornton is not gay you'all might think that cuzz he got big lips or he sung at a gay club I heard him hisself say he have some gay friends and don't jump 2 conclusion about him if you don't know okay ,okay
Posted by: keondra | 12 June 2006 at 18:53
hey sey
Posted by: cece | 16 June 2006 at 07:50
i would be so happy if Raz B was cause I just love him i would do any thing for him any thing I love Raz B so much I cring right now i love u Raz B
Posted by: Mike | 22 June 2006 at 14:02