Kevin Aviance has spent decades proving that true icons never go out of style. A Billboard dance music pioneer, ballroom legend, nightlife trailblazer, and enduring force in Black queer culture, his influence can be felt everywhere, from packed club dance floors to Beyoncé’s Renaissance. Yet beyond the towering legacy is an artist whose wit is just as sharp as his heels are high.
For this edition of the Socialite Seven, Kevin reflects on the songs that still bring the house down, the beauty essentials he’s sworn by for years, the surprising dance track that never fails to get him moving, and the piece of advice that gave his ego a much-needed reality check. Funny, candid, and unmistakably Kevin, his answers are every bit as fabulous as you’d expect.
Which of your songs still gets the biggest reaction from the crowd?
“Cunty” and “Din Da Da”. Those songs are the ones, I mean, people love my music and have a great time, but those two songs to this day are the ones. At first, I was so over it but…you know what it is? I was just a different person at that time when I did it, and so it’s kind of like having this thing, I carry around on my back, so I just made “Cunty” over – and better, and then “Din Da Da” is a performance record, so it’s really great. I love performing that record to this day, so that’s what saves me about “Din Da Da”. I really love performing it.
What is a fashion look from your career that you could never part with?
My bald head. And then try to get me out of the heels – it’s not happening, girl. It’s not happening. I’m gonna wear heels, girl. That’s just the way it is.
What are 3 things that you can’t live without?
Arizona iced tea – the green tea one. My baby shampoo, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, gets this makeup off. I’ve been using it since the beginning of time. And…my drive. I look at some people and I’m just like, “What are you doing to yourself?” I look at myself living this life, and I just have the want, the need to keep doing things, and that’s not calmed down at all. I need to keep doing things.
If you could wake up in the morning with a superpower or talent that you don’t already possess, what would it be?
I think I would want to fly. And I fly – don’t get me wrong, I do fly. But I’m talking about really getting up there, that would just be great. All my dreams are like that, I’m always flying in my dreams, so I just wish I could fly. I love being in a plane flying.
What song that is not one of your own will always get you on the dance floor?
It would be “Uh-Uh Ooh-Ooh Look Out (Here It Comes)” by Roberta Flack. I know it sounds really weird. There’s a song called ” Uh-Uh Ooh-Ooh Look Out” she did, and it was a ballad, and Steve “Silk” Hurley made it into a dance record back in the day, and that track still drives me crazy.
If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Girl! Oh my god, I don’t know. They would have to pick somebody, they’d find somebody, girl. I don’t know who could do it. Maybe I could play myself. I don’t know, girl. God, no. It’s just one of those things that I wouldn’t want to be like Joan Rivers when she did hers.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
There was somebody here before you, girl, doing the same thing you did. So just know you’re not the original. I was like…what? That deflated my head real fierce, girl.
If you are in New York City this Saturday night (July 25), you can see Kevin as the MC for an evening with Cardi B at Pacha. Get tickets here.
