Kevin Aviance

by Jason Birchmeier Towering, black, and bald, freakish drag icon Kevin Aviance became an underground sensation in the late-90s gay dance scene, releasing music through the Wave label and taking his drag show on the road. Inspired largely by Grace Jones, though also citing Boy George as an influence, Aviance made a name for himself primarily in New Yorks thriving gay scene, affiliating himself with other gay dance icons like Junior Vasquez, who would spin records. It wasnt long before novelty tracks like Cunty, an aggressive update of Din Da Da, and the S&M-tinged Rhythm Is My B**ch became well-known, leading to the eventual release of Aviances full-length debut, Box of Chocolates. To promote the album, he toured with two androgynous male backup dancers.