Billy The GOAT is celebrating love in all forms with his latest release, “Saturday Love.” On it, the queer DC emcee samples Cherrelle and Alexander O’Neal’s 1985 hit of the same name, which makes for a nostalgic foundation for him to freestyle on. “If loving you is wrong, then I don’t want to be right,” Billy raps, gliding effortlessly over a Young Yanabu-produced beat which he says recreates “that same feel good vibe” of the original decades later.
The accompanying music video continues Billy’s mission of amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and features Legendary Overall Mother Lola Gorgeous Gucci as its leading lady. “The trans community has always been at the forefront of culture, beauty and movement, and they deserve their flowers,” Billy says, celebrating Lola’s Legendary status in the ballroom community and beyond. “It was an honor to have her bring this vision to life.”
Watch Billy The GOAT’s “Saturday Love” video, below, and read what he’s planning next.
How did you decide to sample 1985’s “Saturday Love” for this? What’s the personal significance?
I was in the recording studio checking out beats, not looking for anything specific, and I found this instrumental titled “Saturday Love” produced by Young Yanabu. The sample immediately resonated with me. I’ve always loved the original song by Cherrelle and Alexander O’Neal. It was one of those songs my dad played around the house when I was growing up. For me, the sample is nostalgic and takes me back to my childhood. Listening to the instrumental made me feel good and before I knew it, the lyrics just started to come to me. I laid them down as a freestyle. I was just vibing and it was really organic. After hearing it back, I looked at my engineer and we were both like, “I think we have something here.” I ultimately want to recreate that same feel good vibe 40 years later.
How did you get connected to Lola Gorgeous Gucci?
I’ll never forget when I attended the Lanvin Ball a few years ago. The category was Face and I had never seen or heard of Lola before. When she stepped onto that ballroom floor in that all-black ensemble and that nasty short black haircut, my jaw dropped. She was so undeniably beautiful. There was a moment after one of her battles where the competitor was bitter, and attempted to shade her and Lola retaliated by giving the most sickening death stare you’ve ever seen. It was in that moment I knew someday I had to connect with this woman in some way.
Why was it important for you to include her in the video?
As I was thinking about my vision for this music video, I wanted it to look like a COVERGIRL beauty ad campaign. Representation is key to me as a gay rapper. It was a no-brainer that if I was going to have a video vixen she had to be trans. In the beginning phases, my team and I had a few names of a few different girls from the scene like Kamiyah (Kitten Gunz), Gia Love, Barbie Balenciaga, Asia Allure and Sade Alpha Omega – all girls I find to be absolutely beautiful. I was going to go with one of these girls and then it dawned on me, Wait, Lola… You forgot about Lola! In my head I saw someone who has confidence, beauty, radiance, sexiness and mystique. I saw someone that has deep roots in the community and who could really sell what I was trying to bring across in this visual. It could only be her. Not only was she excited to do it, but she said that it was always a dream of hers to be the star of a music video.
What is the larger message about love that this release says?
We all are deserving of it. No matter who you are, no matter who you love and no matter what day of the week. Music is a universal love language that we’re all fluent in. Love is something that every single one of us deserves to have and give in whatever way we see fit.
Why is it important to uplift trans women in this way?
In today’s political climate we have a president and administration that has blatantly made it their mission to target the LGBTQ+ community – specifically the transgender community – by rolling back our civil rights. Transgender women are being moved into men’s prisons. They’re opening the door to ban transgender service members. I know a lot of trans women that are living day-to-day in fear for their lives and for their futures.
It’s my responsibility as an artist to provide a space for our transgender brothers and sisters to be celebrated. I will do that every opportunity I get. “Saturday Love” is my way of letting the world know transgender people aren’t going anywhere. It’s my salute to the trans community to let them know I see you and I’m going to fight for you. Trans is beautiful.
How is this release a taste of what’s to come in 2025?
I’m elated about 2025. I’ll be performing and putting out more music over the next few months. I promise to continue to give you nothing but good fucking music as my authentic self. Queer artists are on the brink of something groundbreaking. I feel a shift coming in the music industry. My team and I have been putting in an immense amount of effort to ensure we deliver quality work that our community can be proud of, and I am counting down to the release of my EP on May 23.
‘Saturday Love’ is my way of letting the world know transgender people aren’t going anywhere.
Photos courtesy of Billy The GOAT