WHAT IS A DRAG KING?

A Drag King is a person who performs an act, usually singing or lip synching to a song, in traditionally masculine attire and manner. Kings tend to lean to an extreme of masculinity; cowboy, leatherdaddy, punk rocker, in order to accentuate the performance behind gender. Drag king acts are often done in duos or small groups and can be a straight reading of a song or bend it to make a political, social or just humorous commentary. Performances may blur the line of gender going from masculine to feminine and back. In light of this, Drag Queens or BioQueens are frequently part of drag king troupes.

WHAT GOES INTO BEING A DRAG KING?

Quite a bit or not too much depending on your persona. That’s the first thing, you have to figure out what type of king you’d be. Have you always secretly wanted to croon whiny love/hate songs to bars full of drunk chicks? You’re an emo-king! You always wanted to rope steers? Great go get ‘em cowboy! The guys and gals are beating each other down to get to you? That’s right, you’re a sleazy sex-god, and you feel fine!

Once you have a persona you will of course have to outfit your new character and choose a name. Talk to other kings, watch music videos (do they still play music videos?), watch people walking down the street. Observe how these people act and what they wear and blend that in with your own style. Now choose a name that fits with your new you. (just a hint, Clancey… never really a good name).

Ok, you know who you are, you are looking sharp, you are sounding sharp (in fact, what’s your number, damn you’re fine!), so now you want to perform. Find a song that says something to you; whether is says ‘I want to dance’ or ‘I want to sex you up’ or really any other sentiment, as long as it speaks to you. Make an act around that song. Do you need props? Other kings? A BioQueen? Think through everything and run through everything a few times. Now you’re ready! I’ll see you at a show!