Queer hip-hop artist Big Momma takes the stage at the Bends in St. Pete tonight.
His edgy performance will be followed up with DJ sets by Sidedraft and BLUD DMND. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the shows runs until 3 a.m.
Big Momma’s set is actually one-half of a two-part event tonight that recognizes LGBTQ artists and themes. Organized by Metro Wellness and its St. Pete-based queer youth group Queery, the evening kicks off at The Studio@620 with live music from local acts Mark Castle, Young Egypt, Laser Coffins and Lars Warn. Visual art from Mia Culbertson, Emily Miller and Prisilla 3000 will be on display. The show runs from 7 to 11 p.m. before moving over to the Bends for Big Momma’s performance and the after party.
All money raised will be go to Tampa Bay’s first LGBT Welcome Center, which will cater to visitors to the area and provide resources for residents and a safe space for gay youth.
Headlining act Big Momma said he plans to debut music from his upcoming album, The Plague, which will be released for free later this month, and promises it “will be a talked about show.”
To clarify, he said his look alone, from his wig to his outrageous style of dress, often turns heads; but his performance is about more than just his appearance. He draws his inspiration from the likes of the Notorious B.I.G. and Lil Kim.
“It’s the look that I give, but also the lyrics, the delivery,” he said. “I’m all up in your face. I bring aggression to the stage.”
Plus, he added, “I’m not afraid to interact with the crowd. … I’m there to entertain the crowd. But they’re also there to entertain me.”
Though previous albums focused on sex, violence and twisted fantasies, The Plague is Big Momma’s response to a childhood raised in a highly religious home in Lakeland.
“Normally I’m rapping about being gay, my sexuality,” he said. “This is the first time I rap about something else, about my family and religion. It’s kind of anti-religious.”
He struggled growing up in a Christian household.
“It was difficult,” he said. “It wasn’t something we really talked about. It was a battle and I felt I had to keep my sexuality to myself. So I was hiding it.”
These days, his mother accepts who he is, or at least doesn’t mention his sexual identity much, and he’s more nervous to let her hear tracks from The Plague than previous songs regarding his sexuality.
“I just don’t know how she’s going to take it,” he said. “My mom comes before everything.”
Big Momma’s performance in support of Metro’s LGBT Welcome Center will kick off a series of shows throughout the state. The suggested donation for The Bends show is $2 (a portion of bar sales will also go to the project) and $5 at The Studio@620.
For more information about Big Momma's music, go here. And for more information about tonight’s event, go here.