Cakes da Killa

{{short description|American rapper}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Cakes da Killa

| birth_name = Rashard Bradshaw

| birth_place = Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.

| birth_date =

| image = Bradshaw performing in 2017.jpg

| caption = Bradshaw performing in 2017

| genre = {{flatlist|

| occupation = Rapper

| label = Classic Music Company, Mishka Records

| years_active = 2011–present

| website = {{URL|https://www.cakesdakilla.com}}

}}

Rashard Bradshaw, better known as Cakes da Killa, is an American rap artist who fuses genres of hip hop, house, and electronic dance music. He came to prominence in the "queer explosion" of hip hop music stemming from New York in 2012 and is among the credited performers for the current trend of acceptance of LGBT people in the rap community.{{cite web|url=https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/featured/sound-up-cakes-da-killa/|title=Sound Up! Cakes da Killa|author=Veronica Holyfield|date=February 5, 2020|accessdate=September 16, 2020}} Bradshaw is currently based in Atlanta{{Cite web|url=https://www.out.com/music/2019/10/12/rhythm-flows-cakes-da-killa-putting-queer-artist-showcase|title=Rhythm + Flow's Cakes Da Killa Is Putting on a Queer Artist Showcase|last=|first=|date=2020-04-14|website=Out|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012192512/https://www.out.com/music/2019/10/12/rhythm-flows-cakes-da-killa-putting-queer-artist-showcase |archive-date=2019-10-12 |access-date=}} and his second full-length studio album Svengali was released on October 28, 2022.

Career

=2011: Career beginnings and ''Easy Bake Oven''=

Rashard Bradshaw started rapping in high school for fun before considering it as a career.{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2019/10/a-gay-nj-rapper-competed-on-netflixs-new-reality-show-his-name-is-cakes-da-killa.html |title=A gay N.J. rapper competed on Netflix's new reality show. Meet Cakes Da Killa |last=Olivier |first=Bobby |date=October 18, 2019 |website=NJ Advance Media for NJ.com |access-date=February 24, 2021}} He first began writing tracks to instrumentals he found on the internet and posting them to Facebook. In 2011, his homemade demos came to the attention of an executive producer named Stixx, who invited Bradshaw to appear on the mixtape Downtown Mayhem Vol. 1 alongside Rip The Ruler. Bradshaw then went on to release his own debut mixtape Easy Bake Oven, Vol. 1 through Stixx' Downtown Mayhem label.{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/music/2013/04/09/cakes-da-killa-mishka-clothing?page=full|title=Cakes Da Killa: Party of One|author=Dmitri Ehrlich|publisher=OUT|date=April 9, 2013|accessdate=July 1, 2014}}

{{Quote box

|quote = "I came out in the third grade. This is just me being me. People make it sound like it's controversial and revolutionary, and that's weird to me, because in hip-hop you have people glorifying negativity like killing people and not taking care of your kids – and that should be scandalous! That should be what we talk about. An openly gay rapper shouldn't be breaking news."

|source = —Bradshaw on being an openly gay rapper

|width = 50%

|align = right

}}

As an emerging artist in the hip hop genre—along with fellow LGBT artists such as Le1f, Mykki Blanco, and House of Ladosha{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/09/zebra-katz-rise-of-gay-rappers|title=Zebra Katz, Mykki Blanco and the rise of queer rap|author=Clare Considine|newspaper=The Guardian|date=June 8, 2012|accessdate=July 1, 2014}}—Bradshaw gained popularity through media interest in LGBT figures and themes in hip hop and rap, having been written about in a Pitchfork article about said "movement".{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/8793-we-invented-swag/|title=We Invented Swag: NYC's Queer Rap|author=Carrie Battan|publisher=Pitchfork|date=March 21, 2012|accessdate=July 1, 2014|archive-date=April 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417001535/http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/8793-we-invented-swag/|url-status=dead}}

Bradshaw cites Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma, Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, Cam'ron, Nicki Minaj, and Bette Midler as influences.{{cite web|url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/exclusive-video-premiere-and-interview-goodie-goodies-cakes-da-killa/#_|title=Exclusive Video Premiere and Interview: 'Goodie Goodies,' Cakes da Killa|author=Gerry Visco|publisher=Interview Magazine|accessdate=July 1, 2014|date=April 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://kxsc.org/blog/2015/10/28/interview-with-cakes-da-killa|title=Interview with Cakes da Killa|date=November 2, 2015|accessdate=September 16, 2020}}

=2012–2015: ''The Eulogy'', ''Hunger Pangs'', and mainstream success=

Released for free on Mishka NYC's website, Bradshaw's second mixtape The Eulogy was released to overwhelming popularity when it was reviewed positively by Pitchfork.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17684-the-eulogy/|title=Cakes da Killa - The Eulogy|author=Miles Raymer|publisher=Pitchfork|date=February 7, 2013|accessdate=July 1, 2014}} Miles Raymer of Pitchfork compared his raunchy style to Lil' Kim and praised the production of the mixtape. According to an interview in Paper Magazine, the mixtape's title originally referred to Bradshaw's plan to end his musical career after its release, but he's since changed his mind.

Prior to making his rap career full-time, Bradshaw was an intern at Paper Magazine and worked in the nightlife industry, promoting parties and working doors in New York City. In May 2013, Bradshaw completed his bachelor's degree in fashion studies at Montclair State University. In September 2013, Bradshaw released an EP for his hit single "I Run This Club", which samples M.I.A.'s song by the same name from her 2010 mixtape Vicki Leekx. He later released a Remixes version of this EP which included features from Fat Tony, Siyoung, and Spank Rock on the title track.

{{Quote box

|quote = "A lot of people especially in the quote-unquote queer community felt like it was a very awkward interview, but my thing is that I throw a party every Friday and it's not a gay party. It's a straight mixed party. These are the kinds of questions I get asked and I'm not one of those queer people who don't have straight friends, so I'm used to it."

|source = —Bradshaw on answering questions about his sexuality{{cite web|url=https://imposemagazine.com/features/cakes-da-killa-interview|title=CAKE & COCKTAILS WITH CAKES DA KILLA|author=Sandra Song|accessdate=September 16, 2020}}

|width = 50%

|align = right

}}

In June 2014, Bradshaw released a nine-track mixtape titled Hunger Pangs.{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1689021/mixtape-of-the-week-cakes-da-killa-hunger-pangs/franchises/mixtape-of-the-week/|author=Tom Breihan|title=Mixtape Of The Week: Cakes Da Killa Hunger Pangs|date=June 25, 2014|accessdate=July 1, 2014}} To promote this mixtape, Bradshaw appeared on the Hot 97 radio show Ebro in the Morning where he freestyled live on air. Throughout the interview, Bradshaw's sexuality kept being a topic of discussion, with Ebro calling him a "gay rapper" and Bradshaw correcting him to call himself "a rapper that happens to be gay".

In 2015, Bradshaw released a 5 track EP titled #IMF (In My Feelings), which chronicled a modern-day tale of star crossed lovers from inception to resolution.

=2016–present: Studio albums=

In October 2016, Bradshaw released his highly anticipated debut album Hedonism on Ruffians. In October 2019, Bradshaw appeared on the Netflix reality competition Rhythm + Flow, where he auditioned in front of Cardi B, Jadakiss, and Fat Joe.{{cite web|url=https://www.out.com/music/2019/10/12/rhythm-flows-cakes-da-killa-putting-queer-artist-showcase|title=Rhythm + Flow's Cakes Da Killa Is Putting on a Queer Artist Showcase |author=Mikelle Street|date=October 12, 2019|accessdate=September 16, 2020}} Following this appearance, Bradshaw has released a handful of singles in 2020, most recently "Don Dada" off his EP Muvaland, which was released in November 2020.

In 2022, Bradshaw released his second studio album, Svengali.

Discography

=Albums=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Album details

! scope="col" | Ref.

scope="row"| Hedonism

|

  • Released: October 21, 2016
  • Label: Ruffians
  • Format: Digital download, CD, LP
scope="row"| Svengali

|

  • Released: October 28, 2022
  • Label: Young Art

|

scope="row"| Black Sheep

|

  • Released: March 22, 2024
  • Label: Young Art

|

=Extended plays=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | EP details

! scope="col" | Ref.

scope="row"| I Run This Club

|

  • Release: September 16, 2013
  • Label: Hot Mom USA
  • Format: Digital download

| {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-run-this-club-ep/id690909950|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814173119/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-run-this-club-ep/id690909950|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 14, 2014|title=Cakes da Killa - I Run This Club|publisher=iTunes|date=September 16, 2013|accessdate=July 1, 2014}}

scope="row"| I Run This Club (Remixes)

|

  • Release: May 12, 2014
  • Label: Hot Mom USA
  • Format: Digital download

|

scope="row"| #IMF

|

  • Release: February 10, 2015
  • Label: Mishka NYC
  • Format: Digital download

| {{cite web| url=https://mishkanyc.com/bloglin/2015/02/10/mishka-records-presents-a-by-cakes-da-killa-cakesdakilla|title=MISHKA RECORDS PRESENTS: #IMF BY CAKES DA KILLA (@CAKESDAKILLA)|date= 10 February 2015|accessdate=18 February 2015}}

scope="row"| Muvaland (with Proper Villains)

|

  • Release: November 13, 2020
  • Label: Classic Music Company
  • Format: Digital download

|

scope="row"| Muvaland, Vol. 2 (with Proper Villains)

|

  • Release: July 16, 2021
  • Label: He.She.They
  • Format: Digital download

|

=Mixtapes=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Album details

! scope="col" | Ref.

scope="row"| Easy Bake Oven, Vol. 1

|

  • Release: October 21, 2011
  • Label: Downtown Mayhem, LLC/DTM Records
  • Format: Digital download

| {{cite web|url=http://iaineenzoonuffin.tumblr.com/post/11722642264/its-finally-here-download-cakesdakillas|title=ITS FINALLY HERE

DOWNLOAD @CAKESDAKILLA'S "EASY BAKE OVEN" EP (w/ lyrics) ONLINE FREE NOW! |publisher=Tumblr|date=October 21, 2011|accessdate=July 1, 2014}}
scope="row"| The Eulogy

|

  • Release: January 29, 2013
  • Label: Mishka NYC
  • Format: Digital download

| {{cite web|url=http://mishkanyc.bandcamp.com/album/the-eulogy|title=The Eulogy - MishkaNYC|publisher=Bandcamp|date=January 29, 2013|accessdate=July 1, 2014}}

scope="row"| Hunger Pangs

|

  • Release: June 18, 2014
  • Label: Mishka NYC
  • Format: Digital download

|

=Singles=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Album

! scope="col" | Ref.

scope="row"| "Streets Talkin" (Bobby Lyte$ featuring Cakes da Killa)

| 2013

| Non-album single

| {{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/bobbylytes/streets-talkin-ft-cakes-da|title=Streets Talkin ft. Cakes da Killa|publisher=SoundCloud|accessdate=June 1, 2014}}

scope="row"| "Give It to Me" (Astrolith featuring Cakes da Killa)

| 2014

| Muscle Memories

| {{cite web|url=http://doandroidsdance.com/audio/saint-ft-cakes-da-killa-saki-bomb/|title=Saint ft. Cakes Da Killa – "Saki Bomb"|author=Brent Tactic|date=June 24, 2014|accessdate=July 1, 2014}}

scope="row"| "Mirror Mirror" (Moonbase Commander featuring Cakes da Killa)

|rowspan="3"| 2015

| Southpaw

|

scope="row"| "Drop Top" (DJ Shiftee featuring Cakes da Killa)

|rowspan="3"| Non-album single

|

scope="row"| "Serve It Up" (with Moonbase Commander)

|

scope="row"| "Carry On" (Astrolith featuring Cakes da Killa)

|rowspan="3"| 2016

| {{Cite web|url=https://injury-reserve.bandcamp.com/|title=IJ|website=injury-reserve.bandcamp.com}}

scope="row"| "Up Out My Face" (featuring Peaches)

|rowspan="2"| Hedonism

|

scope="row"| "New Phone (Who Dis)"

|

scope="row"| "Shots Fired"

|rowspan="3"| 2017

|rowspan="2"| Shots Fired X Thirst Trap

|

scope="row"| "Thirst Trap"

|

scope="row"| "Catch the Beat" (Honey Dijon featuring Cakes da Killa)

| The Best of Both Worlds

|

scope="row"| "Talkin' Greezy (Remix)" (with Injury Reserve)

|rowspan="3"| 2018

|rowspan="7"| Non-album single

|

scope="row"| "Don't Make Cents" (with Proper Villains)

|

scope="row"| "Bed Rest" (with LSDXOXO)

|

scope="row"| "Luv Me Nots"

|rowspan="2"| 2019

|

scope="row"| "You Could Neva" (with Astrolith & Ripparachie)

|

scope="row"| "Pop Shit" (Rafia featuring Cakes da Killa)

|rowspan="3"| 2020

|

scope="row"| "Free to Be" (with davOmakesbeats)

|

scope="row"| "Don Dada"

|Muvaland

|{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/read/cakes-da-killa-new-single-don-dada-announces-new-ep-muvaland-news|title=CAKES DA KILLA RELEASES NEW SINGLE 'DON DADA' AND ANNOUNCES A NEW EP|date=June 7, 2020|accessdate=September 16, 2020}}

scope="row"| "What's the Word" (with Proper Villains)

|rowspan="2"| 2021

|rowspan="2"| Muvaland, Vol. 2

|

scope="row"| "Taste Test" (with Proper Villains)

| {{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/cakes-da-killa-announces-muvaland-vol-2-ep-shares-songs-listen/?fbclid=IwAR2PHYmhH9L4jlhT2ZOOPER2LzLdOQPKfygz_ykXhXTPRkSYW7ZHRfWgflU|title=Cakes da Killa Announces Muvaland Vol. 2 EP, Shares Songs: Listen|author=Matthew Strauss|website=Pitchfork |date=June 25, 2021|accessdate=June 28, 2021}}

=Guest appearances=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Title

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Original artist(s)

! scope="col" | Album

! scope="col" | Ref.

scope="row"| "MayDay"

| 2011

| Rip The Ruler

| Downtown Mayhem Vol. 1

| {{cite web |url=https://soundcloud.com/cakesdakilla/mayday-ft-rip-the-ruler |title=MayDay ft. Rip The Ruler |website=soundcloud |date=December 21, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2021}}

scope="row"| "Black Madonna"

| 2012

|rowspan="2"| Big Momma

| Batteries Not Included

| {{cite web |url=https://soundcloud.com/big_momma/big-momma-ft-cakes-da-killa |title=Big Momma ft. CAKES DA KILLA - Black Madonna |website=soundcloud |date=June 27, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2021}}

scope="row"| "380"

|rowspan="4"| 2013

| Mommie Dearest

| {{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/14636-380-ft-cakes-da-killa/|title=Big Momma "380" [ft. Cakes da Killa]|author=Carrie Battan|publisher=Pitchfork|date=December 3, 2012|accessdate=July 1, 2014|archive-date=December 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205152411/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/14636-380-ft-cakes-da-killa/|url-status=dead}}

scope="row"| "Whistle" (remix)

| DJ Kilbourne

| The Club Giant Squid

| {{cite web|url=http://club.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/21193/the-club-giant-squid.html|title=The Club Giant Squid|accessdate=June 1, 2014}}

scope="row"| "Menea"

| P3culiar

| Role Play

| {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/role-play/id856422885|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306052503/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/role-play/id856422885|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2016|title=P3culiar - Role Play|date=7 April 2014 |publisher=iTunes|accessdate=June 1, 2014}}

scope="row"| "Truth Tella"

| LSDXOXO

| Softcore

|

scope="row"| "Saki Bomb"

|rowspan="3"|2014

| Saint

| Muscle Memories

| {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/muscle-memories-ep/886757265|title=Saint - Muscle Memories|publisher=iTunes|date=June 23, 2014|access-date=July 1, 2014}}

scope="row"| "A Minute with Cakes"

| Mykki Blanco

| Gay Dog Food

|

scope="row"| "Bind That Bitch"

|rowspan="2"| L S D X O X O

| W H O R E C O R E

| {{cite web|url=http://lsdxoxo.bandcamp.com/track/bind-that-bitch-ft-cakes-da-killa|title=Bind That Bitch ft. Cakes Da Killa|accessdate=July 4, 2014}}

scope="row"| "Cold Wintour"

| 2015

| sacanagem

| {{cite web|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/24217/1/minimal-house-rb-and-sad-emojis-hear-lsdxoxos-mixtape|title=Minimal house, R&B and sad emojis: hear LSDXOXO's mixtape|accessdate=April 4, 2015|date=2015-03-26}}

scope="row"| "Hot F*ck No Love"

|rowspan="2"|2016

| Clipping.

| Wriggle

| {{Cite web|url=https://clppng.bandcamp.com/album/wriggle|title=Wriggle, by clipping}}

scope="row"| "What's Goodie"

| Injury Reserve

| Floss

|

scope="row"| "Look at Me"

|rowspan="3"| 2018

| Madeaux

| Burn

|

scope="row"| "Catch the Beat" (Derrick's Black Catcher Vocal)

|rowspan="2"| Honey Dijon

|rowspan="2"| Xtra

|

scope="row"| "Catch the Beat" (Honey Dijon's I'm Carrying Remix)

|

scope="row"| "GTFU"

|2019

| Injury Reserve

| Injury Reserve

| {{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/injury-reserve/1459193279|title=Injury Reserve|website=music.apple.com/us/album/injury-reserve/1459193279}}

scope="row"|"Ultimate One" (Remix)

|2023

|Urias

|Her Mind (Blossom Edition)

| {{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Urias-ultimate-one-remix-lyrics |title=Urias (Ft. Cakes da Killa) – Ultimate One (Remix) }}

|

Filmography

=Television=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of television appearances, showing year released, role, and director

!scope="col"| Year

!scope="col"| Title

!scope="col"| Role

!scope="col"| Notes

!scope="col"| Ref.

scope="row"| 2014

| Cakes Da Killa: No Homo

|rowspan="2"| Himself

| Short film, directed by Ja'Tovia Gary

| {{cite web|url=http://cargocollective.com/jatovia/Cakes-Da-Killa-NO-HOMO|title=Cakes Da Killa: NO HOMO|accessdate=July 1, 2014}}

scope="row"| 2019

| Rhythm + Flow

| Episode 2

|

=Music videos=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of music videos, showing year released and director

!scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Title

!scope="col"| Year

!scope="col"| Director(s)

!scope="col"| Ref.

scope="row"| "Whistle (Beat It Up)"

|rowspan=1| 2012

|Alana Peters

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCjiwBuhkYM|title=Cakes Da Killa - Whistle (Beat It Up)|date=July 1, 2012|via=YouTube}}

scope="row"| "Cuntspiracy"

|rowspan=2| 2013

| Sean Anthony

| {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChbInavVG0Q|title=Cakes Da Killa - CUNTSPIRACY|accessdate=March 22, 2014|publisher=YouTube}}

scope="row"| "Goodie Goodies"

| Ja'Tovia Gary

| {{cite web|url=http://vimeo.com/63066689|title=Cakes Da Killa - Goodie Goodies official video|accessdate=March 22, 2014|publisher=Vimeo|date=April 2013}}

scope="row"| "I Run This Club"

|rowspan="4"| 2014

| ZU

| {{cite web|url=http://vimeo.com/92246235|title=Cakes Da Killa - I Run This Club [OFFICIAL VIDEO]|accessdate=April 17, 2014|publisher=Vimeo|date=2014-04-17}}

scope="row"| "Truth Tella"

| Minister Akins

| {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6OI-YJedao|title=Cakes da Killa - Truth Tella (Official Video)|accessdate=June 1, 2014|publisher=YouTube}}

scope="row"| "Give It To Me" (Astrolith featuring Cakes da Killa)

| Mark Lovato & Gella Zefira

| {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5rv8cO9yGQ|title=Astrolith Ft. Cakes Da Killa - Give It To Me [OFFICIAL VIDEO]|accessdate=June 1, 2014|publisher=YouTube}}

scope="row"| "Living Gud, Eating Gud"

| Jason Ano

| {{cite web|url=http://www.massappeal.com/premiere-cakes-da-killa-living-gud-eating-gud/|title=Mass Appeal|access-date=2014-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014203249/http://massappeal.com/premiere-cakes-da-killa-living-gud-eating-gud/|archive-date=2014-10-14|url-status=dead}}

scope="row"|"Mixed Messages"

|rowspan=2|2015

| Mark Lovato & Gella Zefira

| {{cite web|url=http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2015/03/video-premiere-cakes-da-killa-mixed-messages/|title=VIDEO PREMIERE: CAKES DA KILLA – 'MIXED MESSAGES'|date=March 18, 2015|accessdate=March 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322052529/http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2015/03/video-premiere-cakes-da-killa-mixed-messages/|archive-date=2015-03-22|url-status=dead}}

scope="row"|"Get 2 Werk Remix" (feat. Rye Rye)

| Unknown

| {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=838692629542761|title=Cakes Da Killa - Get 2 Werk (Remix ft. Rye Rye) [Prod. LSDXOXO]|website=Facebook |accessdate=April 4, 2015}}

scope="row"|"New Phone, Who Dis?"

|rowspan="3"| 2016

|Noah Breakfast

|{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ElynnrCxk/|title=Cakes Da Killa - New Phone (Who Dis)|website=YouTube |date=October 12, 2016|accessdate=October 12, 2016}}

scope="row"|"Talkin Greezy"

|Nico Bovat

|

scope="row"|"Been Dat Did That (360 VR)"

|Mark Lovato & Gella Zefira

|

scope="row"|"Gon Blow" (featuring Rye Rye)

| 2017

|Unknown

|

scope="row"|"Luv Me Nots"

|rowspan="2"| 2020

| Ohoto NYC

|{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/01/17/cakes-da-killa-luv-me-nots-video-premiere|title=Fall into the nightlife with Cakes Da Killa's "Luv Me Nots" video|date=January 17, 2020|accessdate=September 16, 2020}}

scope="row"|"DON DADA"

| dayday

|

See also

References

{{Reflist|30em}}