Isaiah Rashad has shared a candid perspective on the complexities of his personal journey, noting that there is no established “instruction booklet” for navigating life as a bisexual Black man. The rapper, who recently sat down with The Breakfast Club to discuss his latest album, It’s Been Awful, addressed the lasting impact of his 2022 sex tape leak and the subsequent process of coming out to the public.
Reflecting on the incident, Rashad expressed a sense of gratitude for the way his life has unfolded since the controversy. “I’m blessed to how everything happened with me,” he stated. “And the reception of everything. Because it allowed me to really step back and re-examine what I was doing. Regardless of how much I love myself, I still put myself in an irresponsible situation for anyone to control my narrative.”
The artist acknowledged that his initial hesitation to speak openly was not necessarily about hiding his identity, but rather a fear of the social consequences. “At some point, I’ve accepted that they don’t make a manual for being a bisexual Black man,” he continued. “It was less hiding myself from anything, and more so not knowing how to not be ostracized.”
The leak, which occurred in February 2022, forced a sudden and public confrontation with his sexuality. Rashad first addressed the situation during his performance at the 2022 Coachella Festival, where he thanked his fans for their overwhelming support. “I’ve seen y’all messages and all that sh*t, all the positivity. Y’all ni**as kept me alive these last couple months,” he told the crowd at the time. He later confirmed his sexual fluidity, marking a significant moment of transparency in his career.
As he moves forward, Rashad remains focused on his music and his personal growth, aiming to reclaim his narrative while continuing to evolve as an artist. You can watch his full interview regarding his new album and his experiences with coming out below.