YawnyBlew and amir. are multidisciplinary artists and activists from New York City. Connecting over their mutual love of music and passion for representation, the duo collaborated on a pair of remixes in the fall of 2021 for Yawny's single "R.I.P," which were featured in Rolling Stone India and Bear World Magazine.
Fueled by their desire to center black queer voices and plus-sized bodies, Yawny and amir are collaborating on a series of releases this fall with a focus on their respective journeys through gender, sexuality, and body image. With these releases, the pair plan to create inclusive conversations with other creatives at their various intersections to spotlight those not often showcased in the mainstream media. This includes fellow artists, models, activists, entrepreneurs, and more.
Their next single will be a continuation of their "R.I.P" remix series titled "I Need U More," OUT NOW.
This will be followed by their first original offering, "Can't Compete," in November. "Can't Compete" is influenced by '90s rap duos like Redman and Method Man visually while taking sonic cues from Queer and Ballroom adjacent acts like Leikeli 47, Cakes Da Killa, and Princess Nokia. The record is a braggadocious ode to big bodies, with a focus on male-identifying individuals who are often left out of discussions surrounding confidence and body image. Yawny and amir are looking for collaborators interested in being a part of their journey and lending their platforms, resources, and visibility to this exciting new endeavor.
Photos by Ryan C. Hamilton