Raunchy rapper CupcakKe is bringing her Chicago rhymes to the masses. Elizabeth Eden Harris was born in Illinois and raised on South 63rd Street and Martin Luther King Drive by a single mother.
The now-21-year-old started writing poetry at an early age—at first in the church, then eventually releasing music on YouTube, cultivating a fanbase called "Slurpers."
Her songs "LGBT" and "Crayons" have made her a standout in the queer community, as she features colorful locals in her videos and lyrics "I'm rollin' with the LGBT." In 2018, she played Orlando's Pride, Austin's Pride Revolution celebration, headlined the Well Fargo Stage for Charlotte's Pride and was featured at New York's Pride event at the Brooklyn Mirage.
Her fourth studio album, Eden, dropped Nov. 9 and has her rapping about "Starbucks" and Rihanna's sneakers.
She talked backstage at the Reb Bull Music Festival after playing a hometown show.
Windy City Times: How did you get involved with the LGBT community in the first place?
CupcakKe: I think they just adapt to my realness. I have been with them for a long time. I perform at Prides and appreciate it.
WCT: You feature drag queens in your videos?
CupcakKe: Yes. I just put a flyer up that will say, "If you are supportive or part of the LGBT community then come out and be in my video." They all came out!
WCT: Where do you lyrics come from?
CupcakKe: I just sit in my room and make it up in my head. I concentrate and put everything I have been through in my songs.
WCT: You use a lot of Chicago [places] in the songs such as Navy Pier and Harold's Chicken Shack.
CupcakKe: I love Navy Pier. My family and I just went speed boat riding there.
WCT: You still are in Chicago, but do you have plans to move away?
CupcakKe: I don't plan on moving, but New York would be the only other place I would live besides Chicago.
WCT: You have managed to make a living in the music business. What advice do you give up and coming artists?
CupcakKe: I would tell them to stay independent. They will see a full dollar instead of fifty cents. It takes longer and is a lot of work though.
WCT: You have been featured on Charli XCX songs "Lipgloss" and "I Got It." How was it working with her?
CupcakKe: She hit me up and wanted to make a song with me. She sent it over and it was right up my alley. I am glad she put me on a nice sexual song. I think she called on the right person at the right time. With the song being vulgar and my vulgarness, we made that track as good as it was. I am glad Charli gave me the chance.
WCT: Do you ever try to be radio-friendly?
CupcakKe: Not at all.
WCT: How was playing live with the album being released the day before?
CupcakKe: I only played two songs from the new album. For the song "Prenup" they turned up for that one. "Dangled" is more of a listening song, but "Prenup" was amazing and especially for the first time performing.
WCT: Where did the new song "Petsmart" come from?
CupcakKe: It was a joke. I am always putting comedic bars together. It is for the ones that say I can joke.
WCT: Do you hear from other artists about your music?
CupcakKe: Tommy Genesis congratulated me on the new album. Missy Elliott contacted me and said she would listen to the Eden album. We have been talking a lot on Twitter so maybe a collaboration is coming!
WCT: Will there be future plans with Iggy Azalea?
CupcakKe: I would love to collab with Iggy. That is why I name-dropped her on the album on "Typo" saying, "the pussy act fancy, you can ask Iggy."
It was to show respect, especially after the tour with her not happening. People thought we fell out or something, but I love Iggy.
WCT: What is going on for the future?
CupcakKe: Just look out for my tour. I think I am going to Europe, Italy and Paris. When I announced the tour people wanted more than U.S. dates. I wasn't thinking about going to [elsewhere] because I saw their airports being very racist. I have fans there so I am going to make them happy.
The Red Bull Music Festival continues through Friday, Nov. 30, with a special LGBT night on Friday, Nov. 23, as "Futurehood & Friends" will take place at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., with artists Mister Wallace, KC Ortiz and The Vixen. Tickets can be found at RedBullMusic.com/Chicago.
Visit CupcakKe.com for more on this talented rapper's adventures.
