“I’m Coming Out” was meant to be a gay liberation song but the song’s writer and producer Nile Rodgers didn’t tell Diana Ross that. Which led to a whole thing. It’s a crazy story. The origin of the song is fascinating but more interesting is how disco in general was part of the gay rights movement. We chart the rise of disco and look at the way it dovetailed with the struggle for LGBTQ rights and how being gay is so different for Sylvester than for Tyler the Creator. 

Guests:

Wesley Morris, Critic, New York Times

Craig Seymour, Music Critic and Activist 

Nile Rodgers, Record Producer and Chic Founder

Bill Coleman, Artist Manager 

DJ Jellybean Benitez, Deejay

Nelson George, Filmmaker and Author 

Credits:

Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out 

• Writer: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers

• Label: Motown Records
• Publisher: Chic Music, Inc

Chic - Le Freak

• Writer: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
• Label: Atlantic Records
• Publisher: Chic Music & Cotillion Records

Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

• Writer: Sylvester & James Wirrick
• Label: Fantasy
• Publisher: Bee Keeper Music, Tipsyl Music

Barry White - You’re The First, My Last, My Everything

• Writer: Peter Sterling Radcliffe, Tony Sepe & Barry White
• Label:  20th Century Fox Records
• Publisher: SaVette Music Co.

Diana Ross - Love Hangover

• Writer: Pam Sawyer & Marilyn McLeod
• Label: Motown Records
• Publisher: Jobete Music Co. INC

A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie

• Writer: Perry Kibble & Janice Marie Johnson
• Label: Capitol Records
• Publisher: On Time Music, INC

Donna Summer - Love to Love You Baby

• Writer: Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte
• Label: Casablanca, Oasis
• Publisher: Saturday Music and Cafe Americana

Grace Jones - Pull up to the Bumper

• Writer: Sly Dunbar, Alex Sadkin, Chris Blackwell, Sly & Robbie & Grace Jones
• Label: Island
• Publisher: EMI Music Publishing Ltd

Candi Stanton - Young Hearts Run Free

• Writer: Dave Crawford
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Publisher: Ghati Music Inc

Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive

• Writer: Dino Fekaris & Freddie Perren
• Label: Polydor Records
• Publisher: Perren-Vibes Music Co. 

Tyler the Creator - I Ain’t Got Time

• Writer: Tyler, The Creator
• Label: Columbia Records
• Publisher:  Columbia Records & Sony Music Entertainment

Tyler, The Creator Used To Be Accused of Homophobia, Now Raps About “Kissing White Boys”, Genius

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