‘Pride means being really awesome, being really colourful and entirely yourself,” proclaims 19-year-old electro-rap artist Leif. “It means being less shy, more outgoing and in your element. Every time someone tries to knock you down or tear at you, you just have to do you even harder.”

A lifetime New Yorker who grew up living with his mom in the heart of Times Square, this queer MC and producer has both an impressive understanding of himself and undeniable promise.

In his teens, Leif took a diverse set of influences — he references everyone from Kriss Kross to Björk, Meredith Monk, Matthew Barney, Grace Jones, Fela Kuti and Santogold — and the Fruity Loops digital sequencing software to make experimental beats to bring to his dance classes.

 “I was basically going for ethereal and epic, but over hip-hop,” he recalls. “When people like Dizzee Rascal and M.I.A. were making Nintendo-like, post-modern, offbeat rap, that was iconic for me.”

By 17 he had tracks posted on MySpace and interest from labels, including Warp and Record Makers. Currently, Leif studies at Wesleyan University and is putting the finishing touches on a seven-song EP slated for release on Palms Out Sounds. Leif’s music, including underground buzz track “Timbs,” feels like a breath of fresh air, being both overtly queer and rooted in often über-macho sounds like ghetto tech and Baltimore club.

 “I really relate to a lot of American booty rap and ghetto tech because I was raised in New York, so my friends were people who wore Timbs, and I used to wear Fubu all the time,” Leif explains. “So music like Debonair Samir and Tittsworth, all that Baltimore hard club with the gunshot samples and the heavy bass, I love that sound. I think it all has a place if you don’t take it so seriously. That’s why I’m really enjoying people like Amanda Blank, Kid Sister and Mapei — these girl rappers who are taking something that is a very male genre really, and they’ve made it so ironic and perfect and theirs.”

Similarly, Leif is as comfortable performing on bills with artists like Flosstradamus, RJD2 and Rye Rye as he is playing to Pride audiences. Here in T.O., he’ll follow his Friday performance at the Drake with sets on Pride Toronto’s Alterna Queer stage (Sunday, 6pm, Alexander Parkette), and at the Last Dance closing party at CiRCA (126 John).
 “I’m hoping that it’s the most sweaty fun ever,” Leif enthuses. “Not everything I’m saying is political — a lot of it is fun rap music — and I really want people to be sweating. If they’re not dancing, I’m not happy with the performance.”

MORE QUEER ELECTRO-SEXUAL GOODNESS
JD Samson of Le Tigre is doing DJ double-duty as she spins tonight (June 26) at the Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen W.) for Libido, a Dyke March fundraiser that also features Dance Yourself to Death, MC Nolan Natasha and DJ Nik Red. $15. On Sunday (June 29), Samson and bandmate Johanna Fateman DJ together as MEN, blending electro, new wave, pop, mash-ups and more on Pride’s South Stage (Church and Wood) from 4-6pm. Free.

Look up 10-year-strong Kentucky synth-pop band Ssion on the net and the following words repeatedly surface: disco, gay, punk, art, sleaze. That said, it makes sense that local queer hero Will Munro has chosen to bring Cody Critcheloe and his merry band of Marys to perform at the return of Munro’s iconic Vazaleen: Shame event. Also featured will be Andrew Harwood, Fay Slift and Munro DJing. Friday (June 27) at Wrongbar (1279 Queen W.). $12 advance, $15 at door if available.

Internationally speaking, there are some queer club nights that act as community hubs where emerging out and out-there artists are featured. Stockholm’s Combustion is one of them. Founded in 2002 by dyke duo DJ Combustion, the travelling party has hosted homos including Scream Club, Mapei and our own Kids on TV. DJ Combustion make their Canadian debut along with Giselle Numba One and MC Nolan Natasha at Cherry Bomb’s Live Wire, a special edition of Cherry Bomb, the monthly open-format night I co-host with DJ Cozmic Cat. Friday (June 27) at Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor W.). $15.

This year’s Alterna Queer stage — programmed by the hard-working DJ Triple-X — boasts a bounty of electro-punk-hop action, with performances by acts including Ari Up, Montreal’s Creature and Duchess Says, NYC’s Miss Guy and more. Sunday (June 29) noon-11pm in Alexander Parkette (12 Alexander). Free. Afterwards, the alterna queers take over the Washroom Bar of CiRCA (126 John) featuring Miss Guy, Gangbang DJs, Triple-X and Leif.