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I had the pleasure of meeting Johnny at the recent Outmusic Awards show in Chicago. In person he is a charming sweetheart of a man: soft-spoken, intelligent, and possessed with an almost cherubic demeanor. At the time I had not yet heard his CD. Now that I have, I understand that devilish little twinkle in his eye; there is such a fine line between cherub and satyr.

One can find a mini-autobiography of sorts for Johnny in the closing lines of his own song “ME NO WAN DAT” from Dangerous Liaisons:

A lot of you think that I'm a sick twisted fag
You think I give a fuck or two, Ha-Ha
You sittin' with your legs crossed, clutching your throats
But in reality-your panties are soaked
Cuz you hear me say the shit that you wish
You had the balls to say, but can't-YOU LAME BITCH
I'm shittin' on you faggots, the ones who stay hating
The ones who dragged my name through the dirt and kept waiting
For me to fall off, but yo-Johnny's a fighter
And blowing out my candle won't make yours shine brighter
I'll pull an all-nighter, to wipe out the frauds
The ones who think they're cute, but more bitchy than broads
I should be appraised for the shit I voice
And if you disagree, well-your choice
But just like you, I've got a choice too
And my calling has been sent to send these fuck you's!

Recently, I had a chance to ask Johnny a few interview questions about his music.

AfterElton.com: I'm guessing you've come under some flak (from both GLBT and hetero sources) for the very sexual content of your stuff. How do you feel about this? Can you relate any stories about you being banned from an event, or criticized by some group, etc?
Johnny Dangerous: Actually the responses have been better than I imagined. People, both gay and straight, are very supportive and greatly entertained by my music. The only time I had an issue was when I dropped my first record with the songs "Ball Busters" and "Gitchyaman." There was a gay hip-hop show here in Chicago and initially they were interested, but after hearing my music they felt I was Bi-phobic, hateful and misogynist! I thought, "Wow, my own people who can’t open their minds to a certain point of view that is unlike their own." It was deep. I got over it and wrote my song “Fagazine Interview.”

AE: You seemed such a shy sweetheart of a guy when we met in Chicago. Is your personal life as sexually explosive and hard edged as your music?
JD: If it wasn’t, how could I rap about the things I do? Let’s just say some things are indeed true, and others...I like to take from personal experience as well as embellish on things from my friends’ situations.

AE: Tell me about your live show - do you use dancers or live musicians, sex toys/props? Can you relate one especially memorable live show where you and your music really clicked with a gay male audience? I’m guessing that under the right circumstances you could really drive a gay male crowd wild with your stuff.
JD: I don’t have dancers, DJ’s, sex toys or props. I really want people to hear and identify with me and with what I’m saying. It’s not just about sex. You have to look past that. There are so many different faces of gay men, and I represent a good number of them. I’m not your Abercrombie circuit, drug-poppin’ queer. I represent strong men with strong opinions and life experiences, etc. I want to show the face of being a strong, confident, “take-no-mess” kind of gay man--the type that society can’t push over. Sometimes you gotta throw a little cock and dick talk to get their attention.

I’m really surprised to say that the type of men that get into my shows are older gentlemen who don’t normally get into rap. I think they’re just into my energy and charisma on stage. I really believe and get into what I’m rapping about.

AE: What are your current plans for the immediate future? New recording? New material? New tour?
JD: YES, YES, YES! I’ll be getting back into the studio in the fall to get started on my second album, Johnny Dearest. It’s gonna be sick! I'm takin’ it to another level. It will pick up from where Dangerous Liaisons left off and take your ass somewhere you wasn’t expectin’ to go! And then a summer 2006 tour is also in the works, gay prides, festivals…and hopefully overseas!

More about Johnny Dangerous at johnnydangerous.net