Photo by Cuee
Queer Next Up is a series originally posted to our Instagram. We feature smaller queer artists who we think deserve your love, support, and dedication.
Cuee (he/him) is a 29-year-old Black trans recording artist from Chicago, IL, known best for his interactive and hype live performances. Cuee’s music style blends the lyrical confidence of Missy Elliot and Chance the Rapper with the undeniable swagger and finesse of LL Cool J. His debut single, “Shook,” was released in 2018 and has accumulated over 420,000 streams on Spotify. Cuee is currently working on new music and is anticipating dropping a new album at the top of 2023.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of living and existing everyday in my truth, unapologetically. I wake up everyday and choose myself, my freedom and my liberation in everything that I do. It isn’t easy being a Black trans human on this earth, and even more as an artist navigating the hip-hop/rap scene. My music is very symbolic of my experiences and the community alike is loving it.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Advice I’d give my younger self would be to embrace change. People change, environments change, plans change — so much will change and embracing it is rewarding. Everytime you think you have yourself figured out, something is going to happen that makes you redefine yourself.
Can you give us a sneak peek of what’s to come?
I recently acquired a full team of creatives dedicated to taking me and my music to the next level. Additionally, I will be releasing a studio album titled “With Love” at the beginning of 2023 that will set the tone for what to expect from Cuee.
Follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (@cueemusic) and check out his website.