Exclusive Interview With Rica Shay (Which, I Swear, Is Not Entirely About His Butt)

Rica Shay has a great butt. Honestly, it was difficult to interview him about his involvement in the Accidental Bear Queer Music Tour without asking filthy questions about which positions he likes to get fucked in or how he likes his rimjobs… Yet I somehow managed to keep it in my pants and focus on his music! Sort of.

If you live in or anywhere near San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle or New York City, you can see this lovely gentleman’s butt in person while supporting the cause of LGBTQ mental health services and suicide prevention. You can also hear him rap, because I suppose that is something he does that doesn’t have anything to do with his butt (as far as I know). Should you have any interest in witnessing this, you can find out how to purchase tickets here.

OR you could shake your ass to “You Lookin” or “Model” for the Manhunt Daily twerking contest and win a pair of tickets for FREE! Of course, while you’re brainstorming your best dance moves, you might as well take a moment to read what Rica Shay had to say to us. He’s a sweet dude, and it was a joy to speak with him.

– Dewitt

Photo credit: Walt Cessna

Read our interview, see more pics and listen to some of Rica Shay’s tunes below:

So I’ve got to admit that I hadn’t heard of your work until Big Dipper’s “Summertime Realness“. How long have you been rapping for?

I’ve been writing poetry since I was nine years old, but only started rapping in January of 2012. Hip-hop has always been my favorite genres. My mom used to play all the hip hop stations for me when I was little. Missy Elliot and Outkast were my favorite artists growing up. I always appreciated how over the top they were.

Solid choices. I can definitely hear a Missy influence in your tracks, especially how you toe the line between the masculine and the feminine.

I’m all about letting the two naturally combine.

Oh? I feel like that’s something a lot of guys don’t really embrace.

I agree. I think it has something to do with the way “gays” have been portrayed in the media. It’s easier for a straight person to look at a gay couple and say he’s the boy and he’s girl. When in reality they’re both men.

Speaking of men, I had an interesting moment last week where my boss Googled you and your penis showed up right away… Have you done a lot of modeling, dancing or other creative work prior to music?

Yes, my naked body is all over the internet. I’ve done a lot of modeling and performance art. I’ve always been in touch with my sexuality and choose to express it. I studied film in college as well, did a little drag.

How did you get mixed up with Mike and the Accidental Bear tour?

Mike booked me to perform for an event last year in San Fransisco. He ended up coming to three of my shows that week to see me perform. He’s a sweetheart and super supportive of queer artists. When he booked the tour, he told me he wants high energy performers and said I would be a perfect fit.

Tell me a bit about your performances! What can people expect if they come to the show?

I’ve been working hard on lining up dancers in every city. There will be a lot of choreographed moments combined with some freestyle freak outs. I’ll have some muscle boys acting as chairs for certain numbers.It’s always good for a diva to catch his breath in the middle of a set.

I’ll be switching up the looks for each city and venue. Sometimes I perform in cut off jeans and a tank top, and sometimes I’m covered in sequins like Liberace. It all depends on my mood.

Which of your fellow performers are you most excited about seeing?

Big Dipper!

Had you ever seen him live before?

Yes, he’s great live, and he’s a big boy that knows how to move. It’s so cute performing “Summertime Realness” together.

And that ASS of his. But I digress…

Hahahahaha. Gotta love a hairy booty!

From the few pics I saw, you seem to keep yours quite hairy too.

Yes, I’m always confused to which gay subculure I fall into (bear, cub, otter). But I am pretty furry. I say I’m a “Teddy Bear Cub”.

That’s a cute name! Do you feel like, amongst the bear crowd, you get a lot of attention?

A little bit. No, I actually love hanging around the bear crowd. I always have fun around them.

I have to apologize if this is a little too “girl talk”, but…

No, people love to hear girl talk.

Are you single at the moment? If not, what sort of qualities do you look for in a guy?

I am single. I’m not looking for love but I’m not hiding from it either. When it comes to character traits, I just want someone who is sweet and silly. As far as physical traits go, I’m pretty all over the board, but I do melt when I see a furry body and a beard.

How about behind closed doors?

I think the best sex is when you combine pain and pleasure. I used to think the whole “puppy play” thing was weird, but now, I’m all about it. My tail is wagging just thinking about it.

Now you’ve got me intrigued! What sort of puppy play dynamic do you enjoy?

All I’ll say is that I like to be the pup.

Ah, I see. I’m currently watching a Vine Jonny McGovern posted of you shaking your ass. That’s not a question, I just thought you should know.

Hahahahahahahaha. I tweeted it the next day. I’ve been doing squats at the gym.

I can tell! Now, as much as I’d like to keep talking about your ass…

Haha

We should probably wrap this up and get back to music.

I agree.

Which of your songs was the most fun to record?

I’ve yet to release my favorites, but “Chill Tip” and “Prince Of The Party” were the most fun to record and the most fun to perform. I’m working on an album titled The Midnight Caterpillar, as well as a mixtape on the side.

That’s a promising title. What’s your favorite line you’ve ever written?

Well, it’s not from either of those tracks, but one of my favorite lines I wrote is, “Searching for the answers I tried to ask the oracle but I knew all along that the questions were rhetorical”.

That sounds like some straight-up Yeezus shit. On that note, are there any recent hip-hop releases that you’re excited about?

Thank you. I’ve been working on a lot of songs that are deeper and tell a little more about myself internally.

Mykki Blanco, Iggy Azalea, LE1F and Azealia Banks are my new favorite hip hop artists.

A lot of their stuff is darker, grittier than what we’ve come to expect from queer hip-hop. Have you recorded anything along those lines?

Yes, I’m a big fan of dark and gritty. I’ve been leaning towards the grimy stuff for The Midnight Caterpillar.

I look forward to hearing that.

I can’t wait to release it. I’m being very picky as to which songs will make the cut.

Well, hopefully, people who come to the show can hear some of the new ones!

Oh, they’ll get a taste.

Once they get a glimpse of you in person, I’m sure they’ll want more than just a little taste…

Stop making me blush.

I’m just saying! They’re gonna want to motorboat your butt cheeks…

Well, they better have a beard and no stubble.

…But there I go talking about your butt again!

It happens.

HA! Well, to close this all out, I’ll give you one last opportunity to tell people why they should come to the show.

This show is going to showcase a wide range of queer talent. Talent you don’t see on a day-to-day basis. I, myself, always strive to get the crowd hyped and, as the opener of the show, I feel a lot of pressure to kick it off with a bang. Which is exactly what I plan on doing.

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