Vincint Teams Up with the Fab 5 for “Be Me”

For the current season of Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning series Queer Eye, acclaimed singer-songwriter Vincint teamed up with the Fab 5 to unveil a music video for the song “Be Me.” Directed by Jake Wilson and filmed by Vincint and the Queer Eye cast using their iPhone cameras during quarantine, “Be Me” is a celebration of oneself.

“A moment to believe that you can be more than what you thought you ever could,” Vincint said. “This video is a burst of light in a time where light is so needed. Working with the Fab 5 is a dream! I’m so grateful they all agreed to be a part of it and took the time to film their parts. They’re all little pop stars.”

“Be Me” premiered in the official trailer to Queer Eye’s season five, and arrives hot on the heels of Vincint’s debut EP, The Feeling, which released earlier this year.

OUT FRONT spoke more with Vincint about the video, working with the Fab 5, and how he discovered his passion for music.Hi, Vincint! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me about your new music video for “Be Me.” How has it been received?
It’s been amazing. I think people wanted to see the guys in action because we have all been put away for so long. So, having all of us be in a place just kind of enjoying ourselves and spreading some hope, it’s been really great to see the reaction from fans and how they have made their own little videos and been sending them to the guys and myself. It’s been nice.

What was it like to team up with the Fab 5 for this video?
They were awesome. It sucks I didn’t get to meet them in person, but it was awesome that as soon as I brought up the idea of making a music video for it, they were so happy and assisted and did everything. It was great. They really are team players.

If you were a cast member on Queer Eye, would your specialty be in grooming, cooking, culture, interior design, or fashion?
I keep getting asked this question, and I would be bad at all of them [laughs]. I would probably start a singing thing because I’m not great at any of those things, so I would stick to what I know.

Can you tell us more about the concept and inspiration behind “Be Me?”
I got the call to submit a song for the season, and I had a bunch of songs written, but they didn’t really fit the theme. Then, I asked the producers what the theme of this season was, and they broke it down in the sense of, they really want to bring home the point of being yourself and knowing that who you are is real.

Like, the real hero is you, and you don’t have to change. You already got it going on. So, when I sat down to write it, I wanted to make sure that feeling came across. That even though the guys come into your life to fix everything, they are only polishing off the thing that’s already there. You are already great; they are just helping you realize it.

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The video was shot in your own home. What were some of the perks of that?
It was actually the most fun I’ve had in a long time because I got to do it with two of my best friends. They are both artists as well, but they have never shot a music video before. So, it was fun to find the different angle and shots and having Jake Wilson, the director, direct us via FaceTime. It was awesome, and I got to explore and have my hand in directing and editing. That, to me, was the best.

You began singing and songwriting at a very young age. Has this always been your passion?
Yes. My dad was a singer, and he got me into everything that I love. I began at seven, so I automatically knew this is what I wanted to do. I loved it. It made me feel great and feel like I can accomplish anything. I think when you find that feeling at a young age, it kind of sticks, and it did for me. I’m really happy it did.

What do you hope people take away from your music?
That they are not alone. That they can do whatever they want to do, and that it’s okay to feel. Feelings are put on the backburner all the time, and I don’t think that’s a necessary thing that society should teach us. We should be able to feel everything and know that it is okay to feel at all.You have said that your father is your biggest influence, but you did not follow in his footsteps as a gospel singer. Was gospel never your calling?
Gospel wasn’t my calling. I love gospel music, and my dad is the pinnacle of gospel singing, but I love pop music. I love the pop girls and divas like Mariah Carey, Bjork, Madonna, and Beyonce. When Whitney Houston and Celine Dion would come on-screen, I would be enthralled. So, I knew what I wanted to do at a young age. I knew the sound I wanted to portray and what I wanted my music to sound like. That was never going to change.

When you competed on The Four, is it true that producers were trying to persuade you to sing gospel?
They were persuading me to sing songs that other contestants who looked just like me were singing. Contestants who were also black and male. They tried to get me in suits and sing R&B and gospel music. Well, that’s not what I do, so I’m not going to. They listened because I usually do get my way [laughs].

What was it like growing up gay in a religious household? Was your family accepting?
Yes. The best thing about my family is, my mother and father were religious, and they also were the best teachers I have ever had. My mother, she said, ‘Go out and figure out what you like. When you get the chance to go out, figure out who you are and then come back and tell me. I’m not going to tell you what to believe; I’m not going to tell you who you are; I’m not going to tell you what to be, but what I can tell you is if you bring it back to me, and you’re not hurting anyone, I’m going to accept and love you for it.’

Me, being who I was and knowing what my sexuality was and who I was as a person, it was never up for questioning. It was only up for accepting because they understood that you can’t change someone or you can’t talk someone out of who they are. So, that was the best. I had the best childhood because I can be myself and not think about it being a derogatory. It was always if that’s who you are, then that’s fine. You should always celebrate that.

How does your sexuality affect your creativity?
I don’t think it affects my creativity. I think men are trash, so if that’s what you’re asking, that could be an answer [laughs]. I think it plays a big part in, obviously, how I see the world and how I see certain things. In my creativity, it’s the same. I think emotions are emotions and we have all experienced the exact same things, whether it be based on sexuality, race, or creed. So, I think it’s one of those instances where it doesn’t affect how I work. It just affects the outcome.

How does it feel to know that many see you as a black, queer role model?
I don’t want to be anyone’s black, queer role model. I just want to be me. I don’t want to be your role model because I don’t want you to think that what I’m doing is what you should do. Maybe it’s not what you want to do. What I do say is this—I’m going to be myself, try and live my life the best way I can, not hurt anyone, be kind to people and be really f*cking successful. If that is something you want to do, you should do that, but don’t model your life after me because that would be a disservice. Then you will know who the hell you are.

What more you would like to accomplish with your platform as a black, queer entertainer?
I want to be successful. I want to be a touring artist, earn Grammys, earn Global Music Awards and American Music Awards, but I also want to do it without the guise of being a black, queer artist. I know who I am, and you will see me. I think this is the conversation that happens all the time with us.

Why can’t we just be the artist? There’s always a narrative that this is the black, queer artist or the trans artist, and it’s like, no. I sing just like they do. I’m just an artist, and I hope that by seeing me, you’ll know that I am black and queer. Hopefully, you will see me and think I want to be just like him because he’s living his truth.

Do you have any other upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?
I do. I have a lot of stuff and new music on the way.

To stay up-to-date with Vincint, follow him on social media. “Be Me” is available on all digital streaming platforms. 

Photos Courtesy of Michael Takes