There is a new out hip hop artist out of New Jersey and she goes by B.O.I. Sha and has just released her self-titled mixtape album through GLBTHipHoprnb.com  It mixes R&B elements with rapping for a unique sound.  One thing can be said for sure, B.O.I. Sha keeps it real. Enjoy our New Artist Spotlight with her:

So of course, we start off with your name. What does B.O.I. Sha stand for and represent?

B.O.I. stands for Brilliant, Original, & Intelligent because I’m unique in my own type of way I don’t try to perpetrate nobody but, myself... The Sha is short for my name Shakeema

You are based out of New Jersey, which part?

Jersey City, also know as Chilltown, in between Newark and Manhattan.

Do you feel you will have more challenges as an out hip hop artist?

Yeah definitely, because some people don’t wanna hear that gay shit.... I got a song on my album titled “The Biggest Dyke” People will just give me a donation or not buy the cd because of the title they’ll say they don’t support that. I mean if the world was a little more open minded some things could change. Because I am a dyke, I am a AG, I am a stud, and I am powerful, accept me for who I am.

Tell us about who you are.

I would like to first start out by saying that I don’t like to be defined or called

The Original is based out of New Bedford, MA, which is outside of the City scape of Boston, yet the urban influence of rap and hip hop have still affected this young rapper who has released not one, not two, but three mixtapes this year. This week, The Original is our New Artist Spotlight:

Why did you feel compelled to name yourself "The Original"? Do you feel originality is lacking?

It's not the fact that originality is "lacking" so much but I came up with the name Original because in school, I always had my own style. Own taste in movies, music etc. That was ALWAYS different from family and friends likes. So as I decided to do music I was telling myself I want to be original with it. I don't wanna come off sounding like the next gay Trina, Kim, Jackie, Remy etc etc. My flow is always different and of course everyone is entitled to their own style. Not excluding myself from the world but I branded the name and that was that..

You've released three mixtapes, and they seem to have various concepts behind them. Tell us about each one and what they represent, what the motivation was behind them...

I did NOT want to do a mixtape named something followed by VOLUME 1... There is nothing wrong with that by far but to me it lacked personal originality. I thought numerical numbers. Chapters, Lessons etc. Then thought I was Original so the first to do things the way I do. So called it Genesis. Then Revelations cause showed me growing and then Evolution to show how much I had evolved. The motivation behind each was just to show my expression that I don't give a hoot basically. I am working on possibly re-releasing all 3 with newer quality.

You've been promoting a web banner, in the font of the HomoRevolution but instead it says: Homo Evolution: It's Time for a new generation...what's that all about?

LOL. No hate intended cause I love Cat Eyes but

Community activists who rap would be one certain way to describe one of the hottest new acts rising out of the South, THE QURE. Based out of Houston, Texas, this duo, who is made up of J.A.P.A.N. and Apollo, have been working on their mixtape, "GAY 4 PAY" for most of the last year, and it will be available this December. They have recently began live performances and are working with recent Houston transplant Tim'm West on local shows in the area. You can also get an EXCLUSIVE download of a new track from them, "Behind My Back". Here is the New Artist Spotlight on THE QURE:

How did the two of you meet?

APOLLO: Japan and my boyfriend have been best friends for years and that’s how we met. Of course we were a bit leery of each other at first, but now…I trust that nigga with my life!

How long have you been performing together and what made you decide to do this?

JAPAN: We’ve been making music now for about 2 years. But we had no choice, we’ve been sent by “The Supreme Being”; we are just vessels. This isn’t just about music for us; we are on a mission! We are the “chosen ones”. No bullshit!

Let’s talk about the name, The QURE. What made you chose that name and what does it mean to you?

The QURE: To cure something means to deal with in a way that eliminates or rectifies and we are here to rectify the situation! For far too long gays and lesbians

New Orleans Louisiana's Yung Eso is one of the new wave of out hip hop artists that have sprung up in the last few years. Last month we exclusively hosted her first mixtape release, "Enter The Mind of a Stranger vol. 1" and we are proud to host today the exclusive download of  "Enter The Mind of a Stranger vol. 2". In the meantime, get to know a little something about YUNG ESO in this week's New Artist Spotlight:

Alright, so your name is Yung Eso. Tell us what that stands for or how you got that name.

It’s a combination of a couple things. In the years I’ve been rapping I’ve gone through like 4-5 names and while each one had its aspects I’d never found one that completely fit. for a while I’d been going by Yung Stud but my pen name for writing poetry had been Mystic Stranger and then Esoteric Soul. Then one day I figured I’d combine the two and it’d be like the best of both sides of me. Thus Yung Eso was born.

By Serena Thadwick

Very few rap artists are blessed with the package. Get your minds out of the gutter I am not talking about penis size! When I talk about “the package” I am referring to the triple threat: voice, flow & lyrical prowess. Even Shawn Carter himself (for all his accomplishments) cannot boast the triple threat. His voice is not necessarily undeniable; I myself have heard rap fans dismiss him based solely on his somewhat nasal pitch. Biggie Smalls had it. Snoop HAD it circa ’91-’94…Ludacris, etc. Born out of Hartford, Connecticut and birthed into the homohop scene wearing only his Christian name as his stage handle-- gay rapper Bry’Nt has it. But now what? He’s gay. Triple threat or not, he is quarantined. Even he himself will tell you that the majority of producers, promoters, industry players, etc. will not touch him with a ten foot pole. Nevertheless, he keeps on “keeping on” staring directly into adversity’s eyes and ultimately handing it a Bry’Nt brand prophylactic.

DOWNLOAD THE OHH Exclusive Bry'Nt (ft. Last Offence & Twizza) track called "Swagga Like Us (THe Harvey Milk Remix)"
(Click the link above or right click to Save Target As)

Here is our New Artist Spotlight on Bry'Nt:

So you told me about your humble beginnings earlier. At six years old you found a cassette of Heavy D & The Boys and played it over and over until you memorized it. Seeing as how your flow these days is a bit different from Heavy D & The Boys, who were you playing over and over once you got older? Who influenced Bry'Nt?

The people who influenced my current rap proficiency were mainly every major East Coast rap artist that came out with music in the mid to late 90's. Such as; Busta Rhymes, DMX, Foxy Brown, Jay-Z, Junior M.A.F.I.A., The Lost Boyz, The Lox, Methodman & Redman, Mobb Deep, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., just to name a few.

Before going solo, you were a member of a rap duo "3rd Degree". What ultimately happened there? Ugly break-up? Amicable parting of ways?

3rd Degree was composed of myself and a junior high school friend. While 3rd Degree was trying to get its start by recording mixtapes, there was a duo of two R&B singers also trying to catch their big break. I was friends with one of the members of the group at the time and he and his management thought it would be a unique and transgressive idea to combine two rappers and two singers and create one big group. It seemed to work at first, but after some time, circumstances in the lives of two of the members led to a group break-up amongst the four of us. 3rd Degree never came back together after that, nonetheless, I still have love for all of them.

I hear your songs and I hear an artist that—let's be quite honest here—could be signed had he just kept a lid on it. What exactly is it that you think you are doing? By being out in your music, you have put a potentially profitable rap career in serious jeopardy. Do you regret it?

Interview Preface and Questions by OHH Guest Correspondent, Serena Thadwick

Some people call him Twizza...others call him Thuglicious.  Regardless of what moniker you end up using, you no doubt will have to use his name when talking about the rapidly progressing homohop movement-- especially in relation to the south.    Repping North Carolina by way of Fayetteville, Thuglicious has been making waves in not only the gay rap music scene but also through the blog talk radio "airwaves".  Foxxjazell, Ken Dahl, Tim'm West & comedian Sommore have all been guests on the rapper's weekly blogradio spot HATERZ WELCOME where they chatted up on sex, politics, etc. with the charismatic master of ceremonies.  Nevertheless, Twizza/Thuglicious assures us that making music is his main priority in the here and now.

So, you're new to us...but not necessarily to hip-hop music.  Before there was ever a Thuglicious, there was only Twizza.  Where did your rap music career begin and how was Thuglicious born?

I was born into this. Music runs in my family.  I have been writing music and lyrics since I can remember.  I am a Musician and artist -- not a rapper (I play all brass except f-horn and I write for all genres).  My dreams are God given but they came to light only as I got older.  Being out since the age of 12 and from the streets it made it harder for me to gain respect but I did.  Eventually, I met my musical family: Cadence, G. Cox and Devi in the early stages of my military career.  They became my family; it was their full faith in my talent that gave me the edge and the backbone I needed.  Together we formed the group Boogie Rock and it's been on and poppin since then.  As for the moniker Thuglicious -- it was a nickname I created as a joke a few months ago...it just happened to snowball into a reality.  It describes me though: I'm hood and rep the streets which gives you the "Thug".  "Licious" is the twist (wink).  But I am and forever will be Twizza.

The military is not an easy place for a gay man to be...what was that like?

Well for me it ended up being both hard and easy.

Is Lester Greene the name you were born with?

Lester Greene is the government name, yes.

We read you were born in Germany...and are part of a military family. What are the places you have lived and how old were you when you left Germany?

Yes, it's true that I am an Army brat. My father was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany, where I was born and lived for five years. I was too small to actually pick up the language so I get a little annoyed when people find out that I'm German and then want me to actually speak it (lol). I always get that same response: "You don't look German to me." Yeah, well, I also don't look like a rapper either so what's your point? At the age of 5, I left my German roots behind, visiting Georgia, Texas and now I currently reside in New York.

When did you start rapping?

I started rapping three years ago. I know, I know. You thought I was a seasoned veteran. I get that a lot. I've always been a good writer. In fact, I graduated from Queens College with a B.A. in Journalism and English so it's in my blood. It only made sense to put my papers to mass production.

What made you decide to be a hip hop artist that is out?

This is a tough question to answer

Chewy is a U.K, based rapper/hip hop artists who is out and we belive he is part of what is known as "QFam" in the U.K., a collective of out gay and Lesbian hip hop artists based out of the U.K. that also include QBoy, Mz. Fontaine, and Mistermaker to name a few. He has released a single and music video for his song, "Someone", and this is our New Artist Spotlight on him:

Why did you choose the name Chewy? We know it must have something to do with the Star Wars character, but what made you pick it?

As a child growing up people would often avoid contact with me because I was quite dogmatic in appearance which lead to a lot of pre-conceived ideas on my character usually assuming I'd be hostile. Added to the fact I grew up in a populated white area, it was sometimes hard for people to understand where I was coming from. At times I felt like I was speaking another language. People looked at me different, I felt different because I was different.

Like Chewy I'm extremely soft, humble, loyal and sensitive but noticed & celebrated more for my physical attributes. Linking to Chewy just made perfect sense. What others think they see isn't usually coinciding with what's really going on inside. The true 'essence of a wookie' is 'Love' and that's what I represent. L.O.v.E! I grew listening to Motown, O'Jay flavas and Barry White ballads. So I guess some of Barry must have rubbed off on me. Call me the 'Walrus of rap'

Professionally just over 2 years but I started out young around the age of 12

We have read you were or are a part of the UK Gay Hip Hop crew. Tell us about that.

Well I don't know about that 'officially'

You have an interesting name. Can you tell us how you came up with it?

Well I jus thought it was the best name for me...I have so many styles .I’m a rapper/ producer singer song writer... And 1 day look forward to writing my story storie tella's story... So thought it was perfect 4 the future...

Can you tell us what performing in the Boston area is like? Do you call Boston home?

Well it's been great I'm a well known and respected artist is in my city'... Because of my grind a passion I put into my music... And Boston is my home...I’m a born and raised in Boston... So I rep my city to the fullest...

How long have you been rapping/doing hip-hop? Tell us about yourself.

Music is in my blood pass down from my mother...Who grew up listening to Motown music... So music has always been inside me... I been perfecting my craft for about 7 years...And now I’m jus at the point where I’m not gonna stop until the world knows my name... My music is my world and playground where I make the rules .And I have total control to do what I want how I want...I could never give that up.. Never...

What made you decide to be a hip hop artist who is out?