American musician and rapper (born 1993), transgender activist
Quay Dash (born 17 September 1992), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Quay Dash's music incorporates elements of rap, industrial hip-hop, experimental pop, and boom bap. She has also been associated with the hyperpop music scene, having collaborated with artists such as SOPHIE, Sega Bodega, and Dorian Electra. Quay Dash rose to prominence after being discovered by close collaborator and friend Contessa Stuto, releasing her first single "Satan's Angel" in 2013 under Contessa's label, Cunt Mafia. Following a series of additional singles, Quay Dash released her debut EP, "Transphobic," on September 17, 2016.
Early life and career.
Quay Dash was born in Alabama but moved to The Bronx, New York as a young child. She grew up in the foster care system, living in group homes and briefly facing homelessness until finally moving in with her sister at age 19. Around this time, she began writing lyrics as an outlet for her frustrations with society. In a 2014 interview, she notes, "It started off as poetry and metaphors [I] wrote out of anger. I don't consider myself a rapper––more like a lyricist." She eventually found refuge in the Brooklyn nightlife and rave scene, a longtime safe haven for LGBTQ+ people. It was at one of these raves that she met her close friend and collaborator, Contessa Stuto, whose label she would later release music under.
Under the mentorship of Contessa Stuto and the Cunt Mafia collective, Quay Dash began performing around Brooklyn, eventually releasing her debut single "Satan's Angel," produced by JX Cannon in 2013. She followed this with the release of "New York Boom Bap," a collaboration with Stuto, and several additional singles ("Ain't Gon' Stop It," "BKLYN," and "Pop Triggaz") under the Cunt Mafia label from late 2013 to mid-2014.
By 2016, Quay Dash had left Cunt Mafia to pursue music independently. That year, she released her debut EP, "Transphobic" on her SoundCloud, which was then re-released by UK label Perth Records in July 2017. The EP received positive reviews, receiving coverage from "Pitchfork", "The Guardian", and "Dazed". Dissatisfied with her lack of creative control, Quay Dash left her new label and returned to making music independently.
In October 2017, Quay Dash released her single "Queen Of This Shit," in collaboration with producer SOPHIE. The song skyrocketed in popularity, later being featured on the soundtrack for HBO's 2019 hit show, "Euphoria".
Personal life.
Quay Dash has been very open about her identity as a transgender woman. Her music often addresses themes of transphobia or discrimination she has faced, both within the music industry and her personal life. While she has expressed frustration with being pigeon-holed as a "trans artist," Dash also notes the importance of having LGBT representation in rap music, saying, “I’m not putting myself in a box either, but I know that I’m here to represent for people in my community, definitely.”
Influences.
Quay Dash has listed Lil' Kim, Remy Ma, Foxy Brown (rapper) as her biggest musical influences.
References.
 ;templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" / ;