Kidear Youmans, a Muslim-born, gay, Black artist, has always had a love for music but he began his career in a different field.
Kidear started out in fashion, ultimately becoming a stylist who worked with big names like Wiz Khalifa, Karlie Redd, and the Von Boozier Twins. In music, Kidear says his sound is influenced by “being around pretty women and the girls that [were] getting it. Bosses, whatever, but it’s a reference you can use in the gay scene. It can be your crew. Just making sure everyone is lit – whatever that means to you. Whether it’s the finances, the job, or the education.” The energy behind his songs illuminates the importance of being on your grind, working hard, and achieving your dreams. His first single, B.I.L, led to an eight-song EP titled Me Vs Me.
Kidear works tirelessly, day in and day out, to establish his brand as an artist, but it all starts with his name.
Kidear went back and forth processing his religious background with his name and the connection to his brand of music. As a gay artist, he was unsure of whether or not to use his real name because of what being queer means within the Muslim community. He wanted to be respectful but also authentic. He explains, “When I started to do music, I was thinking, maybe I should channel Beyonce with Sasha Fierce, but it just wasn’t settling. It was like, this is you. Stand by it. I was given this name and it’s who I am, so I think everything that comes with it, I have to stand by that.”
In Arabic, Kidear means “the second purest water in the world” and “the highest servant to Allah”, so there was no need to fabricate a stage name; “Kidear” describes him completely.
In addition to the internal battle on his Muslim identity, Kidear remembers the battles he had to face back home in Brooklyn, NY. Though now his family is proud of his accomplishments and his work, when Kidear decided to come out, he reflects “It was definitely a struggle with most of my family”. It was also difficult because people in the neighborhood could tell he was different. He felt like he constantly had to fight for himself and survive bullies or anyone who opposed his identity, sexuality, and lifestyle. Through all of this, Kidear learned to stand strong in who he was and it was these experiences that gave him the thick skin and power to withstand the rigors of the music industry.
Kidear approached being a musician very differently from how he worked sets as a stylist. To reach his fullest potential, he had to choose to focus his efforts on music, rather than split his time between fashion and music. But, prior to his full-time dedication to music, a huge life event influenced Kidear’s next steps.
Kidear had ended a ten-year relationship, moved to Miami and began choosing how he was going to live his life differently now that he was single and out in the dating world again.
This is where Kidear discovered PrEP and his motto quickly became “Health is wealth”. He feels grateful to have access to all the information he needs to maintain a healthy sex life and focus on his passions. “Let me have this in my bag just to secure me from thinking about one less thing as I have a billion other things I’m dealing with,” Kidear emphasizes.
Now that Kidear’s sole focus is his music career, he’s juggling a lot of projects, gigs and other opportunities. He talks about being dubbed “Hip Hop’s Gay Hugh Hefner” and how he channels the nickname to bring out the fun, elevated and eccentric vibes of his music.
When it comes to musical influences, Kidear praises the work of Lil’ Kim. “I just live for her. I feel like she was literally in both music and fashion. She was the first female rapper to go to the Met Gala. She took risks with the wardrobe, but still aced in music.” Kidear wants to be himself, take those same risks and chances, and rap about more than being gay. He hopes to one day work with Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Lil’ Kim.
When asked about his general philosophy about his career, Kidear suggests, “If you want things you never had, you have to do things you never did…if you’re trying to do something, commit to it. Go hard or stay home!”
