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Watch: Iggy Azalea recruits Trixie Mattel and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo for ‘Started’ music video

The ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ alumni help the Australian rapper kill her sugar daddy

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Iggy Azalea (left) and Trixie Mattel in ‘Started.’ (Screenshot via YouTube)

Iggy Azalea has released her new music video for “Started” featuring “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars Trixie Mattel and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo.

In the video, the 28-year-old Australian rapper gets inspired to kill her sugar daddy after seeing an infomercial for Die Slow Cake Co. Mattel, “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season three winner, joins Azalea in the infomercial where the duo test their poisonous cake out on a man who successfully dies.

Later, Azalea kills her sugar daddy and Mateo, who is currently competing on season 11 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” arrives to help get her affairs in order.

Watch below.

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Kim Petras and BeyoncƩ make history at the 65th annual Grammys

The 65th annual Grammys served up a night of LGBTQ significance as BeyoncƩ and Kim Petras both make history

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Kim Petras & Sam Smith accept the GRAMMY for their duo ā€œUnholy.ā€ (Screenshot/YouTube GRAMMYs)

The 65th annual GRAMMY Award Ceremonies held Sunday evening at the Crypto.com Arena saw a significant LGBTQ+ presence and wins in several categories including a GRAMMY for Best Solo Pop Duo/Group Performance awarded to Out Trans artist Kim Petras along side nonbinary artist Sam Smith for their song ā€œUnholy.ā€

Madonna was on hand to introduce the duo, and in doing so, seemed to shout praise to the entire queer community. ā€œHere’s what I have learned after four decades in music. If they call you shocking, scandalous, troublesome, problematic, provocative, or…dangerous. You are definitely on to something. So I am here to give thanks to all the rebels out there forging a new path, and taking the heat for all of it. You guys need to know, all you trouble makers out there, you need to know your fearlessness does not go unnoticed, you are seen, you are heard, and most of all you are appreciated.ā€

While online chatter seemed obsessed with Madonna’s physical appearance, there is hope her message reached queer teens, currently under the ire of current conservative politics, in the same way the singer elevated HIV positive people in the 1980s by not only accepting them, but calling them heroes.

Harry Styles accepts the GRAMMY for Album of the Year (Screenshot/YouTube GRAMMYs)

Sam Smith insisted that Kim Petras give their acceptance speech so that she could experience the full effect of being the first transgender woman to receive the award in the Recording Academy’s 65 year history.

Petras acknowledged Madonna’s effect as an icon when she said in her acceptance speech, ā€œI want to thank Madonna for always fighting for LGBTQ rights, I would not be here if not for Madonna.ā€

She also called out SOPHIE, the transgender Grammy-nominated DJ, producer and recording artist who died in Athens after a tragic accident. ā€œI just want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight. SOPHIE, especially, my friend who passed away two years ago, who told me this would happen and always believed in me. Thank you so much for your inspiration, SOPHIE. I adore you and your inspiration will always be in my music.ā€

“I grew up next to a highway in nowhere, Germany, and my mother believed me that I was a girl and I wouldn’t be here without her and her support,” Petras concluded her historic speech. “Sam, thank you, you’re a true angel and hero in my life and I love you. And everyone who made the song, too, I love you guys. Sorry, I didn’t write down the names. I love you.”

Longtime LGBTQ+ ally Harry Styles received a GRAMMY for Album of the Year for his Harry’s House. Styles also picked up a GRAMMY win Best Pop Vocal Album for Harry’s House. Earlier Styles received a GRAMMY trophy for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical also for Harry’s House.

BeyoncĆ©, who was the most nominated artist going into Sunday’s ceremonies, made GRAMMY history breaking the record for the most wins ever by an artist. In her acceptance speech where she mentioned her late uncle who died from HIV/AIDS she acknowledged the queer community for their support and ā€œfor inventing the genreā€ of dance music, which she honors in her album.

ā€œI’m trying not to be too emotional. I’m trying to just receive this night. I want to thank God for protecting me. Thank you, God. I’d like to thank my uncle Johnny who’s not here, but he’s here in spirit.

I’d like to thank my parents, my father, my mother for loving me and pushing me. I’d like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful three Children who are at home watching.

I’d like to thank the queer community for your love, for inventing the genre. God bless you.

Thank you so much to the GRAMMYs. Thank you.ā€

She also posted a thank you note on Instagram celebrating the three awards she won earlier in the evening: Best Traditional R&B Performance (ā€œPlastic Off the Sofaā€), Best R&B Song (ā€œCuff Itā€), and Best Dance/Electronic Recording (ā€œBreak My Soulā€).

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden walked on stage during the ceremonies to a standing ovation.  GRAMMYs host Trevor Noah, who introduced her, described her as “the only person in the world who knows which of tonight’s songs the President sings in the shower.”

The First Lady presented two awards – the Song of the Year and the new award “Best Song for Social Change.”

Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour won the new social change award. His song Baraye has been described as the anthem of the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran.  Biden described the song as a “powerful and poetic call for freedom and women’s rights.”

He was arrested on September 29, 2022 – two days after his song was released on social media – and was released two days later. He is not allowed to leave Iran. 

Biden then presented Song of the Year to Just Like That by Bonnie Raitt.  She kissed Raitt on the cheek. 

Vanessa Valdivia, Press Secretary for Biden told the traveling press pool:  ā€œThe First Lady was honored to be asked by the Recording Academy to announce the GRAMMYs’ first Social Change award to Shervin Hajipour for his song ā€˜Baraye’. As a steadfast champion for women and girls around the world, the First Lady was inspired by his song that served as an anthem for freedom and women’s rights.ā€

2023 GRAMMY Award Winners

* Winners in bold

Album of the Year:
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
ABBA – Voyage
Adele – 30
Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
BeyoncĆ© – Renaissance
Mary J. Blige – Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe)
Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days
Coldplay – Music of the Spheres
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Lizzo – Special

Song of the Year:
Bonnie Raitt – ā€œJust Like Thatā€
Gayle – ā€œabcdefuā€
Lizzo – ā€œAbout Damn Timeā€
Taylor Swift – ā€œAll Too Well (10 Minute Version)ā€
Harry Styles – ā€œAs It Wasā€
Steve Lacy – ā€œBad Habitā€
BeyoncĆ© – ā€œBreak My Soulā€
Adele – ā€œEasy On Meā€
DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, JAY-Z, John Legend, and Fridayy – ā€œGod Didā€
Kendrick Lamar – ā€œThe Heart Part 5ā€

Record of the Year:
Lizzo – ā€œAbout Damn Timeā€
ABBA – ā€œDon’t Shut Me Downā€
Adele – ā€œEasy On Meā€
BeyoncĆ© – ā€œBreak My Soulā€
Mary J. Blige – ā€œGood Morning Gorgeousā€
Brandi Carlile feat. Lucius – ā€œYou and Me on the Rockā€
Doja Cat – ā€œWomanā€
Steve Lacy – ā€œBad Habitā€
Kendrick Lamar – ā€œThe Heart Part 5ā€
Harry Styles – ā€œAs It Wasā€

Best New Artist:
Samara Joy
Anitta
Omar Apollo
Domi & JD Beck
Muni Long
Latto
MƄneskin
Tobe Nwigwe
Molly Tuttle
Wet Leg

Best Alternative Music Album:
Wet Leg – Wet Leg
Arcade Fire – WE
Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
Bjƶrk – Fossora
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Cool It Down

Best Alternative Music Performance:
Wet Leg – ā€œChaise Loungeā€
Arctic Monkeys – ā€œThere’d Better Be a Mirrorballā€
Big Thief – ā€œCertainityā€
Florence + The Machine – ā€œKingā€
Yeah Yeah Yeahs feat. Perfume Genius – ā€œSpitting Off the Edge of the Worldā€

Best Rock Performance:
Brandi Carlile – ā€œBroken Horsesā€
Bryan Adams – ā€œSo Happy It Hurtsā€
Beck – ā€œOld Manā€
The Black Keys – ā€œWild Childā€
IDLES – ā€œCrawl!ā€
Ozzy Osbourne feat. Jeff Beck – ā€œPatient Number 9ā€
Turnstile – ā€œHolidayā€

Best Rock Song:
Brandi Carlile – ā€œBroken Horsesā€
Red Hot Chili Peppers – ā€œBlack Summerā€
Turnstile – ā€œBlackoutā€
The War on Drugs – ā€œHarmonia’s Dreamā€
Ozzy Osbourne feat. Jeff Beck – ā€œPatient Number 9″

Best Rock Album:
Ozzy Osbourne – Patient Number 9
The Black Keys – Dropout Boogie
Elvis Costello & The Imposters – The Boy Named If
IDLES – Crawler
Machine Gun Kelly – Mainstream Sellout
Spoon – Lucifer on the Sofa

Best Metal Performance:
Ozzy Osbourne feat. Tony Iommi – ā€œDegradation Rulesā€
Ghost – ā€œCall me Little Sunshineā€
Megadeth – ā€œWe’ll Be Backā€
Muse – ā€œKill or Be Killedā€
Turnstile – ā€œBlack Outā€

Best Solo Pop Performance:
Adele – ā€œEasy on Meā€
Bad Bunny – ā€œMoscow Muleā€
Doja Cat – ā€œWomanā€
Steve Lacy – ā€œBad Habitā€
Lizzo – ā€œAbout Damn Timeā€
Harry Styles – ā€œAs It Wasā€
DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, JAY-Z, John Legend, and Fridayy – ā€œGod Didā€

Best Solo Pop Duo/Group Performance:
Sam Smith & Kim Petras – ā€œUnholyā€
ABBA – ā€œDon’t Shut Me Downā€
Camila Cabello feat. Ed Sheeran – ā€œBam Bamā€
Coldplay & BTS – ā€œMy Universeā€
Post Malone & Doja Cat – ā€œI Like You (A Happier Song)ā€

Best Pop Vocal Album:
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
ABBA – Voyage
Adele – 30
Coldplay – Music of the Sphere
Lizzo – Special

Best Dance/Electronic Recording:
BeyoncĆ© – ā€œBreak My Soulā€
Bonobo – ā€œRosewoodā€
Diplo & Miguel – ā€œDon’t Forget My Loveā€
David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – ā€œI’m Good (Blue)ā€
Kaytranada feat. H.E.R. – ā€œIntimidatedā€
RÜFÜS DU SOL – ā€œIntimidatedā€

Best Dance/Electronic Album:
BeyoncĆ© – Renaissance
Bonobo – Fragments
Diplo – Diplo
Odesza – The Last Goodbye
RÜFÜS DU SOL – Surrender

Best Rap Album:
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
DJ Khaled – God Did
Future – I Never Liked You
Jack Harlow – Come Home the Kids Miss You
Pusha T – It’s Almost Dry

Best Rap Song:
Kendrick Lamar – ā€œThe Heart Part 5ā€
Future feat. Drake and Tems – ā€œWait for Uā€
Jack Harlow feat. Drake – ā€œChurchill Downsā€
DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, JAY-Z, John Legend, and Fridayy – ā€œGod Didā€
Gunna and Future feat. Young Thug – ā€œPushin’ Pā€

Best Rap Performance:
Kendrick Lamar – ā€œThe Heart Part 5ā€
DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, JAY-Z, John Legend, and Fridayy – ā€œGod Didā€
Doja Cat – ā€œVegasā€
Gunna & Future feat. Young Thug – ā€œPushin Pā€
Hitkidd & GloRilla – ā€œF.N.F. (Let’s Go)ā€

Best Melodic Rap Performance:
Future feat. Drake and Tems – ā€œWait for Uā€
DJ Khaled feat. Future and SZA – ā€œBeautifulā€
Jack Harlow – ā€œFirst Classā€
Kendrick Lamar feat. BLXST and Amanda Reifer – ā€œDie Hardā€
Latto – ā€œBig Energy (Live)ā€

Best MĆŗsica Urbana Album:
Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
Rauw Alejandro – Trap Cake, Vol. 2
Daddy Yankee – Legendaddy
Farruko – LA 167
Maluma – The Love & Sex Tape

Best Americana Album:
Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days
Dr. John – Things Happen That Way
Keb’ Mo’ – Good to Be…
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raise the Roof
Bonnie Raitt – Just Like That…

Best Comedy Album:
Dave Chappelle – The Closer
Jim Gaffigan – Comedy Monster
Randy Rainbow – A Little Brains, a Little Talent
Louis CK – Sorry
Patton Oswalt – We All Scream

Best Music Video:
Taylor Swift – ā€œAll Too Well: The Short Filmā€
Adele – ā€œEasy on Meā€
BTS – ā€œYet to Comeā€
Doja Cat – ā€œWomanā€
Kendrick Lamar – ā€œThe Heart Part 5ā€
Harry Styles – ā€œAs It Wasā€

Best Music Film:
Various Artists – Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story
Adele – Adele One Night Only
Justin Bieber – Our World
Billie Eilish – Billie Eilish Live at The O2
RosalĆ­a – Motomami (RosalĆ­a TikTok Live Performance)
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – A Band A Brotherhood A Barn

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media:
Germaine Franco – Encanto
Michael Giacchino – The Batman
Hans Zimmer – No Time to Die
Jonny Greenwood – The Power of the Dog
Nicholas Britell – Succession: Season 3

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media:
Encanto
Elvis
Stranger Things: Soundtrack from the Netflix Series, Season 4 (Vol 2)
Top Gun: Maverick
West Side Story

Best Remixed Recording:
Lizzo – ā€œAbout Damn Time (Purple Disco Machine Remix)ā€
BeyoncĆ© – ā€œBreak My Soul (Terry Hunter Remix)ā€
Ellie Goulding ā€œEasy Lover (Four Tet Remix)ā€
The Knocks & Dragonette – ā€œSlow Song (Paul Woolford Remix)ā€
Wet Leg -ā€œToo Late Now (Soulwax Remix)ā€

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical:
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Bayn – Adolescence
Robert Glasper – Black Radio III
Father John Misty – ChloĆ« and the Next 20th Century
Wet Leg – Wet Leg

Producer of the Year:
Jack Antonoff
Boi-1da
Dernst ā€œD’Mileā€ Emile II
Dahi
Dan Auerbach

Additional reporting by Brody Levesque

****************************************************************************

Rob Watson is the host of the popular Hollywood-based radio/podcast show RATED LGBT RADIO.

He is an established LGBTQ columnist and blogger having written for many top online publications including Parents Magazine, the Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Gay Star News, the New Civil Rights Movement, and more.

He served as Executive Editor for The Good Man Project, has appeared on MSNBC and been quoted in Business Week and Forbes Magazine.

He is CEO of Watson Writes, a marketing communications agency, and can be reached at [email protected] .

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Out & About

10 LGBTQ events this week

Cupid’s Undie Run among highlights

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Cupid's Undie Run takes place this Saturday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.


JR.’s Showtunes

Monday, February 6
9 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Join your friends to belt out your favorite showtunes at the neighborhood LGBTQ venue, JR.’s.


Queer Trivia!

Wednesday, February 8
7 p.m.
The Dew Drop Inn
2810 8 the Street, N.E.
Facebook

The Mistresses lead a game of trivia on all things LGBTQ.


Drag Bingo

Wednesday, February 8
8-11 p.m.
Pitchers DC
2317 18th Street, N.W.
FacebookĀ 

Brooklyn Heights hosts free games of bingo at Pitchers on Wednesday.


Ultimate TayTay Party

Friday, February 10
10 p.m.
Songbyrd Music House
540 Penn Street, N.E.
18+ / $25 advance / $30 door
FacebookĀ |Ā Tickets

Show your appreciation for Taylor Swift at a DJ dance party at Songbyrd Music House on Friday.


Cupid’s Undie Run

A scene from last year’s Cupid’s Undie Run afterparty. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Saturday, February 11
12 p.m.
Union Stage
740 Water Street, S.W.
$45 for individual tickets
FacebookĀ |Ā Tickets

Raise money for neurofibromatosis research in a fun short run wearing your most festive undies and with a pre-party and afterparty that has become a D.C. staple. While not specifically an LGBTQ event, you will certainly be among many LGBTQ people who participate.


Miguel Espinoza’s Art Exhibition Closing

Saturday, February 11
7-9 p.m.
DC Center for the LGBT Community
2000 14th Street, N.W.
Suite 105
Website

This free event celebrates the work of Miguel Espinoza: “naked unafraid.”


Vanguard Valenties: A Dark Dance Party

Saturday, February 11
9 p.m.
Safari DC Lounge
4306 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
$7
FacebookĀ |Ā Eventbrite

DJs Johnny Panic, Ultra Violet Rah and Villainess entertain at a dark dance party at Safari DC Lounge on Saturday.


Lovers & Friends

Sunday, February 12
10 p.m.
Zebbie’s Garden
1223 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., 3rd Floor
$10-$100
Eventbrite

Davon Hamilton Events and Willieeb World Events present “Lovers & Friends” at Zebbie’s Garden on Sunday with DJ Apollo and DJ Dave Thomm.


Gaga Brunch

Sunday, February 12
12 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
$25
FacebookĀ |Ā Eventbrite

Desiree Dik hosts a Lady Gaga-inspired drag brunch on Sunday. Performers include Every Pleasure, Venetian, Sweet Pickles, Mia Vanderbilt and Tip Boy: Pup Indigo.


Doming0’s Got Talent XXXO

Sunday, February 12
7 p.m.
DC9 Nightclub
1940 9th Street, N.W.
21+ / $20
Facebook

Catch a campy drag game and show celebrating the lovers, partners and friends of DMV drag royalty at DC9 Nightclub on Sunday.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Drag Brunch

Winchester Pride hosts show at 81 Bar & Grill

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Ava Rage performs at 81 Bar & Grill for Winchester Pride's Drag Brunch on Sunday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Winchester Pride held a drag brunch at 81 Bar & Grill in Frederick County, Va. on Sunday, Feb. 5. Performers included Miss Winchester Pride 2023 Chasity Vain, Candice Candy, Alexa V. Shontelle, Ava Rage and Anita Tension.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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