Kevin Aviance Dishes on Leaving Home, Finding Drag & Becoming a Queer Cultural Icon

Kevin Aviance is a legendary performer, singer and club icon known for his bold fashion, commanding stage presence and influential role in New York City’s ballroom and nightlife scenes. A key figure in the House of Aviance, he gained international recognition with his chart-topping dance hits, including Din Da Da and CUNTY, which became anthems of queer culture.

via: GLAAD

The world knows me as Kevin Aviance—a musician, a drag queen, a Billboard recording artist,  and a long-time staple of New York City nightlife. But before I was Kevin Aviance, I was Eric Snead, a Black boy from a large family in Richmond, Virginia. I was this eyes, nose, and ears-open person who didn’t have much of a handbook. I was gay, of course. I knew that for sure. I also knew I had a mother who would protect me. But more than anything, I knew that I had to get out of Richmond. 

I remember my mom telling me, “Baby, you’re different. And a lot of people are not going to like it. But mama loves you, and just remember that I’ve got your back no matter what it is. You’re not like the rest.”

She knew that from the get-go. I’m the sixth born of eight kids in my family. So it was amazing for her to single me out and give me that level of protection. I wasn’t a football kid or an outdoors person. I went down to my basement and listened to music a lot. My mom said that when she gave birth to me, it was like fire. I was hot. All she could do was eat ice while she was pregnant. She didn’t do that with any other child, except for me.

I was a boy into music and concerts who really wanted to make something of myself. I looked up to all of the greats—Prince, Michael, Whitney. I’ve seen over 3,000 concerts in my life. That’s what I did as a kid. Ms. [Diana] Ross was my first diva, then Whitney Houston.

Becoming Kevin Aviance

In 1993, after a brief stint in Miami, I moved to New York City, becoming the club kid of the world. But it was in 1996, with the release of my first single, “CUNTY,” an underground hit, that my star began to rise. But the big hit was “Din Da Da.” It hit number one. The song is an old dance boogaloo record. It’s a remake of George Kranz’s original. It was a freestyle record used for breakdancing. I always lip-synced it in my drag show. So when I got the record contract with the now-defunct WAVE Records, I knew I wanted to do that record from the get-go. 

George Kranz gave my team the okay. I was told recently that he and a couple of other DJs were all sitting together, and they said, “Out of all these versions that are out here of ‘Din Da Da,’ the only one is Kevin Aviance and DJ Gomi.” I was so happy to hear that. By 1998, I knew that I was onto something. I was performing in all the big clubs, and I was feeling myself. At one point, I think my head was so big I couldn’t get it through the door!

Years later, in 2006, things were still going well for me. Life was incredible. I was gigging, and I had another album coming out. And then something I never thought could happen did. I was physically assaulted on 14th Street and 1st Avenue. Now, I would walk around the city in a thong, a purse, and high heels constantly, like it was nothing. I wasn’t wearing that at the time, but I always felt safe. My mouth was wired shut for so long, and that gagged me more than anything because I couldn’t really get out any expression, and I am a very expressive person. I felt so defeated. I kept asking myself, why? Why was this happening? And then it got really bad because I tried to medicate myself the whole time. I got really thin, and nothing helped until I left and went to rehab. The anniversary of my assault is coming up soon, and it’s interesting how it’s been a long time now, but it still feels fresh.

I left New York for about six years after that. And then when I came back, I found out that things had truly changed. It was really different. The drag scene wasn’t even the same anymore. They would call me legendary, but they didn’t necessarily want to see me come through with new stuff. It was really interesting how they cared, but they didn’t care. New York had changed.

But I take each day and put one foot in front of the other. I don’t look back. I just keep going because tomorrow is not promised. I want people to know that it’s okay to be as much yourself as you can be, especially if you’re Black and gay. Be everything you need to be because that’s not a mistake. God made us. I feel very blessed and moved by all the things I have experienced with God. And I believe that comes through in my music. I know that I’m not doing it by myself. I know that for a fact. And I know that sometimes when I try to steer this wheel, and it goes wrong, I have to let go and let God.

When it’s all said and done, I want folks to say that I lived my life and did the things I wanted to do. I was Kevin Aviance.

Kevin Aviance is an American drag queen, dance musician, and queer icon. He is a staple in New York City’s gay club scene and has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He is a member of the House of Aviance, one of the most notable vogue-ball houses in the U.S.

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