Future LGBTQ History Month: iLoveMakonnen's Courageous Spirit

Fuse is celebrating Pride Month by looking at a variety of rising forces who are creating  Future LGBTQ History before our eyes. Today we're sharing the story of iLoveMakonnen, a free-spirited singer, rapper, producer and self-releaser in his own lane. iLoveMakonnen (born Makonnen Sheran), may have jump-started his success back in 2011 when he released his first song "The Newness,” but it was his MySpace days of blogging and reaching out to artists, fashion designers, DJs etc. that inspired him to embrace his distinctiveness and get a feel for the industry.

The L.A. native rose to fame with mixtape releases such as 3D, Drink More Water series and collaborations with some of the biggest ATL producers like Sonny Digital and Metro Boomin. His self-titled EP iLoveMakonnen, featuring hit songs "I Don't Sell Molly No More" and "Tuesday," skyrocketed his career and earned him a GRAMMY nomination in 2015.