queer afro-dominican singer rubby subverts gender expectations in enchanting new single “confiesa” (confession)

Growing up, 20-year-old Dominican singer Rubby never had many love songs he could relate to. Most told the story of a guy falling for an attractive girl on a dance-floor, but this didn’t feel true to him and his story as he came to terms with his queerness––so he decided to take matters into his own hands. Like all of his other songs, his latest single “Confiesa,” which means “confession” in Spanish, does not use gendered pronouns. Instead, the video shows the star in traditional feminine garb as he catches the attention of another partygoer from across the room. The song, in which Rubby repeats the line “Tengo tu ritmo conmigo” (or “I have your rhythm with me”), is an invitation to join in on a fantasy, helped along by the song’s ethereal melodies and fast pace reggaeton/dembo drums.

“‘Confiesa’ for me was a vulnerable leap into my Dominican identity from writing a song in Spanish for the first time to wearing the traditional garments and masks,” the artist explaned. “It allowed me to grapple with notions of sexuality, religion and gender within my own culture in a way that felt good and devious. ”

Check out the enchanting video below!:

Make up by Wanthy

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Photos by Cyle Suesz