CAKES DA KILLA: NO HOMO
A Short Film, Cakes Is In Da House
CAKES DA KILLA: NO HOMO is a short documentary that examines the life of the gay rapper, Cakes da Killa (born Rashard Bradshaw.) His life revolves around sexuality and his music. CAKES is a 20-something artist with three mixtapes and one album under his belt. The director, Ja’Tovia Gary, interviews Cakes da Killa to shatter the stereotypes. This film focuses on his life in New York and his performances. He describes the difficulties of being gay and black and highlights the issues involving marriage, adulthood, and society’s perception of gay black men.
Cakes da Killa talks about finding his sexuality in the third grade and how he navigated the traumas of bullying, outside perceptions, and friendships. Cakes’ music is influenced by electronic and house music. The documentary shows snippets of a performance at New York City’s Webster Hall. Experimenting with gender and sexuality, Cakes’ music is fluid, and so is his brand. He oozes sex. It’s crucial to recognize Cakes’ personality as an instigator, with lyrics like, “What you gunna’ do when a bad bitch come through,” and as an invitation to loosen one’s expectations of showmanship and to respect Cakes’ shifting identity.
In the documentary, Cakes wanders the streets of New York and reveals his life story to Gary. The experiences of his childhood and teen years are revealed. He also talks about developing an “armor” after being teased at an early age and how high school was easier because he was ridiculed in middle school for being gay. Cakes refers to his songs as “diary entries,” and uses them as venting sessions. The documentary unveils his obsession with sex and his career as a rapper in intimate and personal ways. Look for it on Vimeo.
