Frontman Kevin Abstract, along with his mix of producers, musicians, and production crew that form the hip-hop and self-proclaimed “boy band” group named BROCKHAMPTON set themes of racial and social justice on their album Saturation II. The album contains tracks filled with woes regarding drug addiction, trouble meshing in society due to sexual preferences, and various other standout vocals that emphasize issues with adolescence and growing up. All culminate to a main theme regarding both the treatment of homosexuality in the music industry and an overall call for racial justice & empowerment across the country. The prevalence of these themes are what make Brockhampton’s music a political statement in today’s times especially with new legislation in the US such as Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.
The band, which is a mixed-race group of queer and straight artists, manage to touch on themes of “otherness and the insecurity that accompanies it” in a way that redefines what the traditional idea of cool is. In 2017, the rap magazine XXL described the album as:
“an extraterrestrial West Coast hip-hop version of Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake it Off.’”
https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/where-to-start-with-brockhampton-hip-hops-prolific-boy-band/
This effect stems from Brockhampton’s loose approach to writing, which is likely their most notable strength, allowing each member to be themselves as they deconstruct the dimensions of a subject while usually converging in a spirit of defiance and individuality.
Brockhampton’s Director of Photography Ashlan Grey explains this spirit in a 2017 interview:
“A big thing that I live by is never telling [Brockhampton members] that something can’t be done. I always just try to figure it out. If I were to ever tell them No, we can’t do this, it would make them feel like they’re being limited, and I don’t want anyone to ever feel like they’re limited to do anything.”
https://www.thefader.com/2017/07/13/brockhampton-members-kevin-abstract-interview-saturation
In their review of the album, website Wiux write that tracks such as “Fight” and “Queer” go beyond Brockhampton’s distinct style in order to address both pertinent social and racial issues regarding young, African-American members of the LGBTQ+ community. On tracks such as “Gummy” and “Junky”, which opens with “‘Why you always rap about being gay?’” to which Abstract shouts, “’Cause not enough niggas rap and be gay!”, he wants the audience to be blatantly aware of the fact that he is Black, gay, and proud. Breaking the culture of toxic masculinity that has historically existed in the music industry, Abstract wants to show his solidarity with his fellow Black members of the LGBTQ+ community in the industry.
With all of the expression and individuality shown within this collective, it might be shocking to most that the group actually originated in Texas. In the Vice Docuseries, American Boyband, episode “The Origins of Brockhampton”, the group recounts their experiences living in San Marcos, Texas before the release of their first album Saturation. Multiple members walk through their old stomping ground and recount stories of racists they encountered throughout their time in Texas. Despite this, they kept working to spread their message. At one point in the episode, we even see them encounter an old neighbor who Abstract says,
“came out to the pool (at their complex) and played Johnny Rebel, and sent his dog chasing after me.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z9nXj1z6hg
Incidents like this is why identity is so important to the members of BROCKHAMPTON. Each member whether black, brown, or white; queer or straight; rapper, singer, producer, visual artist, or web designer, makes a point of telling their respective stories. Maybe that’s why they feel so strongly about being referred to as an all-American boy band, rebranding the teen heartthrob as all of the things it historically hasn’t been.
MCY141-01 (Spring 2022) 