Young HipHop Artist Comes out of the Closet in Unconventional
Move to Help Others. Twenty year-old Ripparachie has a vision to end
the bullying and discrimination that the LGBT community experiences
on a daily basis. Now, by coming out to his fans and changing his
musical goals for the greater good, he hopes others will accept and be
proud of who they really are. His first song was written for him by his
cousin when he was 7 years old. He started writing his own music when
he was 11 years old. He was born and raised in a small town called
Lafayette in Indiana. He first started calling himself "Lil Rippa" when his grandmother died. When he moved to Bridge Way, a local apartment
complex, his big bro always called him "Rachie". He decided to put both
names together and that’s how the name "Ripparachie" was created.
Ripparachie opened up for Too $hort when he was 14 years old. He has
also opened up for Crime Mob, Lil Wyte, DJ Unk, and more. He has
been dropping solo mixtapes ever since he was 15 years old. He created
#TeamWerk in the year of 2011 and the movement is getting bigger
and stronger every day. Ripparachie is not afraid to be different and he
feels that being unique is his key into "the game". He has done songs in
almost every genre and will continue to explore. One of his goals is to
create his own genre of music. Another one of his goals is to REVIVE
"swag" music.
Having changed his musical style to spin a positive image on ‘being
genuine’, Ripparachie has embarked on a National campaign to provide
a voice for others who are too scared to be themselves. His latest
album, F.A.G (Free and Genuine), aims to put a stop to the bullying and
discrimination that prevents thousands of young people in the United
States from accepting their sexuality with pride. “Everyone I knew
always wanted to know why I was so depressed and so negative. It was
simply because I was afraid of coming out and losing the people I called
friends and family,” Ripparachie explains. He continues, “I have finally
spoken the truth and want to help bring the LGBT community together
to help fight for our rights.” In doing so, Ripparachie is working hard to
change the face of the word ‘Fag’, spinning it to become a positive label
for those who are finally free of society’s misconceptions and
homophobic tendencies. Along with Fly A** Guys/Girls, his new line of
clothing, Ripparachie has a vision of an accepting society that is free
from discrimination. “I was afraid of the word Fag before coming out. I naturally associated it with the dozens of hate crimes and suicides that
take place among young people every week in the United States.
However, I have now decided to stand up for what is right, instead of
following the music industry’s norms. I want to make a difference,” he
adds. “I have lost a lot of fans, friends, and family due to coming out.
But I have also gained a lot of respect for being true to myself and
others. By spreading a positive image others will be able to face the
same decisions as me with the pride and confidence that nobody will
push them away,” Ripparachie explains.
His Free and Genuine iTunes album is currently available online and
proving immensely popular among both the LGBT and straight
communities. The artist plans to donate a proportion of the album’s
profits to a non-profit organization that actively supports the LGBT
community.
