HIP-HOP IS ABOUT TO BE "OUTED"!!!!!

By L.T. Dinwiddie
Radaronline.com has broken, which I’m assuming will be one of the biggest stories of the year. Former MTV producer Terrance Dean has written a memoir titled Hiding in Hip-Hop: Confessions of a Down Low Brother in the Entertainment Industry, which will chronicle "the author's life as a closeted homosexual working in the film and music industry and his relationships with other closeted homosexuals—film stars, rap artists, and music producers,"

Author Terrance Dean is a former MTV producer and the founder of something called Men's Empowerment, a New York-based non-profit directed at helping men of color. When reached by phone, Dean declined to discuss the book, but a spokeswoman for the publisher said it will identify Dean's closeted exes without naming them. "Let's put it this way: You'll know who they are," she promised. "It's a no-holds- barred look at Hollywood and hip-hop and who's living on the down-low."

This new book that was purchased last week by publishing company Atria books, who is owned by Simon & Schuster, is destined to send shock waves through the extremely homophobic Hip-Hop industry. Every since popular radio personality, and resident loud mouth Wendy Williams (WBLS) ignited gay rumors back in 1994, gossip has run absolutely rampant about our most beloved and famous rap stars.

To some, hip-hop is displayed as a gritty, misogynistic and an often times violent culture that infuses the four main elements that started off the genre in the mid 70’s –rapping (MCing), Djing (production and scratching), break dancing, and graffiti. And though staunch heterosexuality was never an “officially publicized” ingredient of the overly aggressive and blatantly masculine genre. To be perceived as anything less would most likely result in rejection, humiliation, and even bodily injury. I'm sure we can all remember how much heat Andre 3000 recieved when he started prancing around the stage with his white wig, and white fur pants.

As sensational and scandalous as this new literary project is designed to be. Many are expecting this new paperback to be one of the most purchased, and discussed books of 2007. It would seem that “confessing”— all you know these days’, equals big bucks for publishing companies (Can we say Super Head?). Which rappers/Hip-Hop industry insiders might be shaking in their boots? I’ll leave that for my favorite radio personality—Wendy Williams, to divulge. I cant wait to get my copy of this book!