We’ve got this beauty “pegged” to be NYC’s next big queer indie recording artist. All hail the Pillow Prince!
Thotyssey: Hello Pillow Prince! How are you liking this shift into autumn in NY so far?
Pillow Prince: I’m loving it! Fall fashion is my favorite, so I’m excited for all of the layering that is about to occur.
I’m thinking of Lenny Kravitz’s latest oversized scarf right about now. Right!?
Yeah, actually! He’s such a fashion icon, and a music inspiration for sure.
And you’re a fashion icon in the making!
OMG, that’s so sweet of you! I just love expressing myself however I want, and I just hope that there are people that gravitate towards it, are inspired, and can relate to it.
If I were to draft a “Things Pillow Prince Is” list from my perspective, I’d say: fashion model, recording artist, circuit queen, social media star. Is that accurate? What am I missing?
If I could add to the list, I would just mention that I am a queer person. I am so blessed to be part of the queer community, and it plays into so much of my art, and how I come to express myself.
Can you tell us a bit about where your originally from, and what sort of things you were into while growing up?
Yeah for sure! I grew up in Gurnee, Illinois which is a neighbor city of Chicago. I always wanted to be a successful artist when I was little. I remember watching Cheetah Girls and Lizzie Maguire on the Disney Channel, and from that moment I remember wanting to be like them. I would always sing around the house and come up with little jingles to sing while playing piano. That would annoy my family sooooo much, lol… but I made them get used to it! I also loved musical theater, so I performed in musicals and plays all through my childhood and early adult life. I just have always loved being on stage, and that is a passion that has never left. I also did some sports, but never felt passionate–and I sucked–so I definitely stuck with the arts.
What brought you to New York?
My dreams and aspirations, for sure! There are so many opportunities and amazing people to connect with here, so I knew it would be the perfect place to start my career.
How did the whole “Pillow Prince” social media and performing persona come about?
So I wanted to create a persona outside of my daily name. It actually took me a while to come up with something, because I wanted to make sure the name reflected how queer and sexually free my art and I are. A couple years ago, my friend was teasing herself by calling herself a “pillow princess” because she likes to just lie there when having sex and make the men do the work (as they should). I thought that was such a funny and cute thing to call oneself, so I took it upon myself to make it masculine and call myself Pillow Prince.
You have a track about pegging… I think it’s the first song I heard that specifically addresses that activity!
Yes “Peggy Sue” was one of the first songs I ever wrote! I was inspired to write it after having a convo with one of my male friends about how he lets his girlfriend peg him. It turned into such a great convo because we talked about how there are so many straight men that don’t explore their anal g-spot (even if it’s with a woman) because they are fearful of being perceived as gay. I wanted to write a song that combatted that ignorant notion, and shared the perspective of a guy getting pegged by a badass woman (Peggy Sue) and loving it. It’s super fun, liberating, and sexy, and I love getting to share it with people. I hope it makes more guys out there comfortable with their bodies, and comfortable with the idea of being submissive in the bedroom. Also I hope it empowers women to strap these men downnnnn and give it to them!
There is still a lot of weird tension even within the gay male community about sex: issues with body positivity, top versus bottom identity, types of sexual activity (rough versus romantic, etc.), fetishism, gender and orientation diversity, et al.
Although I think slowly but surely things are becoming more open-minded, on a personal level we all have to erase stigmas and toxic stereotypes that we associate with certain sexual behaviors. It takes a lot of work, but the more personal work we do to become more accepting, the more accepting we will all be as a whole. That’s why I do my part to make sure that I express queer and sexual freedom as much as I can. I’m still learning as well, though! It’s a process for sure, and my music has taught me a lot about what areas I need to grow in; it has also shown me how much I have grown.
Can you tell us who Biscuit Head Collective is?
Yeah! They are my production team for my music, and I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to make music! They do everything from assisting me in creating my beats, recording my vocals, and mixing all of it together. Over this past year, I’ve become great friends with them! My art wouldn’t be the same without them. They’re amazing.
Might we be hearing any new music soon?
Yes, my full EP is coming out December 8th! Also I’m throwing a lingerie / pajama themed pajama party at VERS in Hell’s Kitchen on December 7th at 10pm to celebrate my EP release! I will be performing my whole EP, and other queer artists will be performing as well. Everyone is invited, and it’s free to come!
Speaking of VERS, you just performed there with Magnus Riise last Sunday. How did that go?
It was amazing! I had so much fun, and I sang one of my new songs for the first time that will be on the EP! Magnus is such a dope artist, and it was so cool to be a part of his event.
You’ll be back in town this week for “Thot Mess Thursday” at Boxers HK which I co-produce with Liam Yung! Kanika Peach will be turning numbers that week, too, and hot DJ Blue Rose Royalty will be in the booth! I’m so excited!
I’m so excited, too! Thank you so much for having me! I can’t wait to watch Kanika Peach perform as well! It’s going to be a great time.
Okay, let’s end on this: Britney’s book is like the biggest thing ever. Which pop diva needs to put her life story on paper next?
Beyonce, for sure! She’s my favorite artist, and I would love to hear her story from her point of view! In the meantime I do need to read Britney’s book… I’ve heard so much about it!
Thanks, PP!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Pillow Prince’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram and music platforms.
Thotyssey 