Nearly 30 years after its release, Kevin Aviance’s 1996 club hit is more c*nty than ever
A post shared by KEVIN AVIANCE (@kevinavianceofficial)Before the Renaissance, there was the Aviance. For over three decades, Kevin Aviance has been a pivotal figure in LGBTQ+ culture, paving the way for present day queer expression.
From ballroom, to drag and club culture, his impact remains intact, and in recent years has gained a well-deserved resurgence thanks to his iconic 1996 hit “Cunty (The Feeling).”Subscribe to our newsletter for your front-row seat to all things entertainment with a sprinkle of everything else queer.Raised in Richmond, Virginia, in a close-knit family, Aviance dedicated himself to music and theater from an early age.
His journey into drag began in the seventh grade, inspired by punk icons like Boy George, Devo, and Grace Jones. After moving to Washington D.C., he joined the House of Aviance and took the name Kevin Aviance, and later moved to New York City, where he established himself as a club performer.
His performances at Sound Factory, a club known for its queer Latino and Black patrons, caught the attention of major DJs and promoters, and Aviance became one of a handful of drag performers in NYC able to support themselves solely on performances.Aviance continued his work as a club personality and drag performer, landing a cameo role in Madonna‘s 1994 “Secret “video and effectively transitioned from nightlife superstar to a house music icon with the release of his debut single “Cunty (The Feeling).”Originally released independently and later picked up by Strictly Rhythm Records, “Cunty (The Feeling)” was a hit in the club scene.
