About the Cover

Our Hip Hop cover model is Paulie, a 26-year-old Puerto Rican Pisces from New York City. Many of our New York readers may recognize Paulie as the “shots boy” who hands out shots to customers on Wednesday nights at the Stonewall Bar. In addition to his job there, he also works as a personal trainer and massage therapist at the New York Sport Club on 86th and Lexington. Paulie is a self-described people person who is friendly and enjoys talking with just about anyone. In his spare time, Paulie enjoys working out and dancing—especially to Hip Hop! In fact, he’s a big fan of Hip Hop music and his favorite artist is currently rapper 50 Cent. His favorite track is the Busta Rhymes/Mariah Carey single “I Know What You Want.”.

Welcome to the Hip Hop Issue!

It is with great excitement that we present this special Issue. Now, you might be asking yourself, “Why is a gay Latino magazine doing an issue dedicated to Hip Hop?” The answer is simple—Hip Hop has an enormous impact on the style and culture of the gay Latino community...

Constance Marie at the GLAAD Awards.
Photo by QV Magazine

Tidbits of News, Views, and Politics
...In and around the qvCommunity.

• A CELEBRATION DINNER • Hundreds Celebrate Latina and Latino Sexual-minority Rights Movement.
• HOLY TOLEDO! A GAY LATINO ELECTED! • Louis Escobar is elected to lead Toledo city council.
• THE WALL APPROVED! • Los Angeles City Council Unanimously Approves AIDS Monument.
• HEARD AT THE GLAAD AWARDS • Red Carpet Conversations with QV.

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A Queen Of The People
Banda Superstar Graciela Beltran sits down with qvMagazine.
--By Luther Orrick-Guzman

GRACIELA BELTRAN is a gifted, beautiful singer who has been declared la Reina Del Pueblo (Queen of The People). Beltran is the epitome of charm, integrity, modesty, beauty, and most of all talent. QV had the grand opportunity to chat with her about her beginnings, cultural confusion, gay fans, and of course, music..

“The whole (gay) culture has certainly impressed me. But with so many different preferences and roles under the gay/transgendered umbrella, it made me want to learn more about them to understand all the different types of people within it. And of course today I owe a lot to my gay fans and I support the gay community one hundred percent.”—Graciela Beltran

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21 Questions with DJ Freddie B
One of LA's Premiere Hip Hop Deejays Speaks with QV.
—By Robert “Paw” Sotello

DJ FREDDIE B is one of the most talented deejays in the Los Angeles club scene today. The 30-year-old’s mix of Hip Hop beats can be heard all over the city at places like Circus Disco. He spoke with us about how he got his start and what his goals for the future are.

“I don’t have a pick. But I’d say I like the vibe more at a gay venue than a straight venue. But I like them both.” — Freddie B.

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A Latin Hip Hop Original!
Meet Latin Freestyle Artist Coro.
—By Richard Torres

YOUR PROBABLY REMEMBER CORO most for his late ’80s/early ’90s Latin Freestyle hits—particularly his biggest hit “Where Are You Tonight.” That song reached the Top 25 on Billboard Magazine’s Club chart and #1 on DMA Dance chart. He followed that song up with three more hit singles, “Can’t Let You Go,” “Fallen Angel,” and the ballad “Missing You.”

"Follow your dreams and your goals, only you can make it happen.” —Coro

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Digable Lady
Femal Rapper Ladybug Mecca Speaks with QV.
—By Demetrio Roldan

THE DIGABLE PLANETS was one of the most promising and creative Hip Hop groups of the early ’90s, with hit songs like “Cool Like Dat.” Now, lead female singer Ladybug Mecca is stepping out on her own with a new CD due this fall. We spoke with Ladybug about her new album and about Hip Hop and gays.

“I think there’s homophobia all within society. It’s definitely going to trickle into the Hip Hop world. It’s understandable because a lot of people just aren’t in touch with their feminine and masculine side. People view being gay or lesbian as a personal preference or a sexual choice, when I believe it’s much deeper than that. There’s nothing wrong with it. People who don’t understand it from a deeper perspective will just lash out at it..." —Ladybug Mecca

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Is Hip Hop Homophobic?
QV Readers Throw in Their 50 Cents at the Topic.

IT’S NOT HARD TOO SEE that Hip Hop is incredibly influential on pop culture today. However, it is a genre of music that has seen artists such as Eminem use inflammatory language against gays. We decided to ask our readers if they felt Hip Hop was homophobic, and the results were surprisingly mixed. While 34% of our readers found Hip Hop culture to be definitely homophobic, 39% felt it wasn’t homophobic at all. Another 24% felt it was somewhere in between, and the remaining 3% didn’t know. Below are some of the responses that we received—and both sides had some interesting arguments to support their opinions.

“Unfortunately, I strongly feel the homophobia in the lyrics of Hip Hop artists. I feel like the hardcore image that is perpetuated with being a rapper or Hip Hop artist doesn’t encompass being gay friendly. Fans are very critical and I feel that a lot of artists are afraid they’ll lose fans if they don’t fit into the preconceived idea of what a Hip Hop artist is.” —24 years old, Houston, TX

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LL Cool J

Hip Hop's Sexiest Men!
QV Readers Pick LL Cool J as the Sexiest Man in Hip Hop.

IN A RECENT QV ONLINE SURVEY, we asked our readers who they think is the Sexiest Man in Hip Hop, and the overwhelming majority picked out veteran rapper LL Cool J. And, well, we couldn’t agree more. From his early days back in the ’80s to today, he has always had a body of steel, an irresistible smile, and a great personality to match..

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Signs of Life
A Deaf Gay Latino Shares His Story.
—By Oscar Espino

SERGIO GUZMAN is a 23 year old gay Latino from Chicago, IL. Sergio is deaf, but that hasn’t stopped him from leading a rewarding life. He talks here to QV about life as a deaf gay Latino—including coming out, making friends, and even the role music has played in his life...

"All I know is that I’m truly happy with the way I am because I’m being true to myself. Love yourself first and others will love you. Just be true to yourself. It’s tough at first, but eventually it’ll turn out just fine." —Sergio Guzman

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A BRIGHTER SHADE OF BROWN:
The Boys' Night Out!
Chapter Three in the Continuing Saga of aGroup of Gay Latino Buddies!
—By Erick Serrato

LAST ISSUE, things were really starting to get complicated for our favorite boys. Frank confessed to Miguel that he was dating Javier’s no-good ex-boyfriend, while Rafa announced to Javier and Mark that he was moving in with Carlos’ ex. And while Miguel longed to see his family in Mexico again, Carlos seemed to be growing tired of spending nights at home alone with his cat, Rufina. And that’s where we pick up our story...

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qvAstrology
The fierce La Chicharona reveals what the stars have in store for you!
YO QV BOYS! Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means—fine shirtless papis strolling the streets! So which one of these guys will be your summer love? Well, La Chicharona is here to answer all your questions about the coming months, and believe me, it’s looking hotter than ever! ...

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Dear Papi
Boyfriend troubles getting you down? Let your dear 'ol Papi help you out.
THE PAPI IS IN! Haven’t you ever wished relationships weren’t so complicated? I mean, wouldn’t it be nice to find the right guy, the first time, then fall in love and have everything turn out right? Well, life isn’t quite that simple. But it’s all about learning and growing, and believe me, with relationships, you certainly learn and grow! So whatever is happening to you in your life right now, let me know...

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