Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-02-22
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Rapper KC Ortiz paves a highway to heaven
by Jerry Nunn, Windy City Times
2019-08-23

This article shared 2753 times since Fri Aug 23, 2019
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


A Queer Pride is starting up a weekly Friday night residency at the new nightclub Le Nocturne in Uptown. The debut event is a fundraiser for LA-based nonprofit Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement. The organization's founder Jennicet Gutierrez will be in attendance, along with local Chicago rapper KC Ortiz.

Ortiz has been recording music for years and has released two albums Beach Street and Church Tapes. Fellow rapper Big Dipper was featured on one of Ortiz's songs "Let's Talk About PrEP."

Another recent collaboration is with LCD Soundsystem's Gavin Rayna Russom for the track "Heaven's Highway" with album art created by trans artist Xavier Schipani. The song will be performed at the upcoming fundraiser on Aug. 23.

Windy City Times: Start off with where you are from.

KC Ortiz: I'm from Mobile, Alabama. I joined the Air Force at the age 19. That sent me to Texas, then South Dakota. That's how I ended up here.

WCT: What made you move to Chicago?

KC: When I was in Mobile, my drag mom Rosalyn Heights showed me a video of Miss Continental. I hadn't transitioned at that time and didn't know that world existed. When I saw that video, I wanted to go so bad. I visited Chicago and knew I had to move here.

WCT: When did you move into performing?

KC: When I was in middle school, I saw a video of a drag show. I wanted to do that immediately, even as a six grader. I watched the movie To Wong Foo and wanted to be that.

I wanted to perform, but never did, then I joined the Air Force. I eventually went out to the gay clubs with my friend from high school and told everyone I wanted to perform in drag.

WCT: How did you rap career take off?

KC: In high school I used to write a lot. It was something I always wanted to do, but thought it would never happen. I thought it was too impossible to do.

WCT: Were there certain rappers you liked?

KC: My idol is Lil' Kim. I do like Missy Elliott a lot. The Notorious B.I.G. has great word play. I don't know how he thought to put some of those words together.

WCT: What does the name KC stand for?

KC: KC comes from a girl I went to high school with. It was spelled K-a-y-c-e-e. When I started I spelled it like that, someone said, "That doesn't sound like a rapper. It sounds like the girl that sits behind you in school." I changed it to KC.

WCT: How do you identify currently?

KC: It's hard to describe. I love being trans. I don't identify as straight because I like the gay stuff. I like going to the gay clubs with my friends. I'm not straight, but I identify as a girl.

WCT: Talk about working with Rayna on the track "Heaven's Highway."

KC: That was so cool. I had done an interview with Out Magazine about the trans ban on the military. Billboard wanted to do a similar article with Rayna. Since I was in the military, they decided to make it a conversation with a phone interview. There was also a panel about trans musicians at Soho House where we traded information. It just grew.

She sent me the tracks last summer and I recorded it then. This was before the Prep stuff. She wanted to do a mixtape with trans artists. That never came out so we put this song out ourselves.

WCT: You used religious aspects in the song.

KC: Yes. I'm really into God. It's very hard to explain, especially in the LGBT community because we are told that God doesn't love us. God is just so special to me.

WCT: What songs are you doing at this fundraiser coming up?

KC: I know we are doing "Heaven's Highway." Other than that, I literally pick my songs on the way there. I did the same thing at Pride in the Park and they wanted my music a week in advance. It was stressful.

WCT: I was at Pride in the Park. You did a really nice job.

KC: Thank you.

WCT: What do you want to accomplish in life?

KC: Music is in my blood. People have suggested that I do makeup or hair, but music is the thing that makes me happy. When I am at my day job, I think about being in the studio instead. I know music is what I was created for.

WCT: What advice would you give other people?

KC: Never give up on your dreams. People that don't chase their dreams will try to talk you out of yours. Don't let that happen.

Even when it came to me transitioning, people said I would never pass and not to waste my time. When I tried music or drag or even moving to Chicago, they said it would never work.

I was told everything that I wanted to pursue would fail. People need to know in their hearts that they can make it happen!

Come watch Ortiz and Russom perform at Le Nocturne, 4810 N. Broadway, Aug. 23 with tickets at Do312.com/AQueerPride.

For more on this talented artist visit KayceeOrtizmusic.com .


This article shared 2753 times since Fri Aug 23, 2019
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

House Musical: Coming of Age in the Age of House, celebrating the house music scene, to run April 20 - 30 2023-03-30
--From a press release - Chicago, Illinois (March 30, 2023) — Campsongs Productions today announced the on-sale of world premiere musical House Musical: Coming of Age in the Age of House, celebrating Chicago's famed house music scene at the legendary Warehouse ...


Gay News

Book of Mormon's Sam Nackman knocks on Cadillac Palace door 2023-03-28
- The Book of Mormon is returning to Chicago on a mission to convert new followers into the musical fold. The masterminds behind the satirical cartoon series South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker created a smash ...


Gay News

Kokandy Productions announces 2023 Season 2023-03-22
--From a press release - CHICAGO (March 22, 2023) — Kokandy Productions is thrilled to announce its 2023 season, including two fully produced musicals, plus plans for the return of the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival. This summer, Kokandy will dive into ...


Gay News

Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Diplo and more to headline Lollapalooza on Aug. 3-6 2023-03-21
--From a press release - (Chicago—March 21, 2023) Lollapalooza has unveiled a powerhouse lineup for the 2023 edition, featuring first-time headliners Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish along with Red Hot Chili Peppers, ODESZA, Lana Del Rey, Karol G, who will make ...


Gay News

Opera Preview: Life of gay World War II hero Alan Turing transformed into a world-premiere opera 2023-03-17
- It has taken a decade for The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing to grow from an idea into a full- fledged opera. Chicago Opera Theater stages the world premiere of composer Justine F. Chen and ...


Gay News

Lyric Opera of Chicago announces its 2023-24 season 2023-03-14
--From a press release - CHICAGO (3/14/2023) — Lyric Opera of Chicago, led by General Director, President & CEO Anthony Freud and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, today announces the company's 2023/24 Season, which takes audiences on a global tour of opera ...


Gay News

House Musical, Coming of Age in the Age of House, coming to Hoover-Leppen Theatre 2023-03-14
--From a press release - Campsongs Productions presents the world premiere of House Musical - Coming of Age in the Age of House, with book by Marcus Waller, music by Scott Free (with Michael Foley) and lyrics by Scott Free and ...


Gay News

Mayor Lightfoot, DCASE announce dates for summer festivals and events 2023-03-13
--From a press release - CHICAGO—Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the 2023 dates for some of the City of Chicago's most beloved summertime traditions. Returning festivals and events include ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Little Richard, Indigo Girls, Rodriguez's honor, dance film, Pedro Pascal 2023-03-10
Video below - Produced by Bungalow Media + Entertainment for CNN Films and HBO Max, in association with Rolling Stone Films, director Lisa Cortes' Sundance opening-night documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything will debut in theaters and on VOD ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Wanda Sykes, Jonas Brothers, 'Queen of Versailles,' 'Bloodshed' 2023-03-04
Adam Lambert video below - Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes' new comedy special, I'm An Entertainer, will premiere globally on Netflix on May 23, a press release announced. The special, directed by Linda Mendoza, was filmed in early February 2023 at Philadelphia's ...


Gay News

Singer Zolita zips through Chicago on a whirlwind tour 2023-02-28
- Zoe Montana Hoetzel has evolved into the multidimensional artist known as Zolita while cultivating a massive following. Her personality is multifaceted as well. She identifies as a lesbian, an activist and a witch, but she's also ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Black queer films, Janet Jackson, Paramore, WNBA, GALECA contest 2023-02-19
- Queerty ran a piece on 10 films that celebrate Black queer love. Some of them include The Skinny (with Jussie Smollett), Dee Rees' movie Pariah, the Oscar-winning Moonlight, the Marlon Riggs classic Tongues Untied, Brother to ...


Gay News

Theater Review: Cabaret continues to reflect on our modern challenges 2023-02-14
- Title: Cabaret. Book: Joe Masteroff; Score: John Kander & Fred Ebb. At: Porchlight Music Theatre at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: 773-777-9884 or www.PorchlightMusicTheatre.org; prices begin at $25. Runs through ...


Gay News

Goran Stolevski grows up fast with Of an Age 2023-02-14
- Openly gay filmmaker Goran Stolevski is a triple threat: He handled directing, writing and editing chores for his new project, Of an Age, which Focus Features is now distributing. The film is already taking home trophies ...


Gay News

Queer songwriter donates $500K to Chicago Academy for the Arts 2023-02-13
- Returning to the school that they said saved their life years ago and set them on a path to becoming one of the most celebrated activists and songwriters of the modern era, it was announced Feb. ...


 




Copyright © 2023 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives. Single copies of back issues in print form are
available for $4 per issue, older than one month for $6 if available,
by check to the mailing address listed below.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.
All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transegender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.