Drag kings, explained by drag kings

Mo B. Dick, Maxxx Pleasure, Sigi Moonlight, Johnny Gentleman, and King Molasses explain the evolution of drag.
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Drag kings have historically gotten a lot less attention than drag queens, but that’s starting to change. We interviewed five drag kings about their relationships to drag, how the artform has transformed, and what they love about it.
In the words of King Molasses, drag is full of “that swag you get in the shower that nobody sees.” Drag king performances are all about playing with masculine identities: politicizing them, satirizing them, and having fun with them. And these performers have been around for centuries.
In China, documentation of “male impersonators” dates back to the Tang Dynasty, from 618 to 907 AD. In the mid-to-late 1800s, drag king pioneers like Annie Hindle, Vesta Tilley, and Ella Wesner began performing. And in the early 1900s, Go-won-go Mohawk was likely the first indigenous male impersonator.
By the early 1900s, black performers like Gladys Bentley and Stormé DeLarverie were becoming drag pioneers. And by the 1990s, there was a big, thriving drag king scene in cities like New York City, San Francisco, and London - all over the world.
Today, drag kings are pushing for space in a cis male-dominated field. And it’s working.
Resources:
Instagram links for all the featured kings:
King Molasses, DC: / kingmolasses
Mo B. Dick, LA: / mrmobdick
Johnny Sin Gentleman, LA: / johnnythegentla
Maxxx Pleasure, NYC: / mr.mpleasure
Sigi Moonlight, London: www.instagram....
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[@Vox]

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[@stephcurry2350]

Please dont do these videos again. Look at the likes and compare it

[@Brejdu]

I thought this was about cars

[@eshow07]

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 22:5)

[@herewaskendra]

@@stephcurry2350there are settings on KZbin that allow you to hide what you don’t want to see. Do that. This is not your channel and yo do not have any control over what it produces. If you want that much control, fix your settings or start you own channel and publish your own content

[@silenttoeitreatment]

We need a drag kings show just like we have now a drag Queens show.

[@tanya11877]

There’s one group that does it monthly in Santa Fe, NM. It’s so much fun!

[@willm678]

We didn’t need a drag queens show, and definitely don’t need a drag kings show

[@7kraska]

@@willm678 who hurt you?

[@feltfrog]

@@willm678You’re not included in the “We”. Shoo.

[@willm678]

@@feltfrog Oh, ya got me! You said “shoo” look how tough and unbothered you are!

[@arandompotat0]

"we're kind of counterculture within a counterculture within a counterculture. Like how punk is that?" I love that so much!!!

[@priestmike]

you mean: how little important is that? And it is not really culture, is it?

[@Professionalmoneymakerr]

@@priestmike cope and seethe you child

[@backtofitzgerald00]

cringe3000

[@billynitrus]

Its not punk at all, but these guys sure are punks!

[@Emmie.the.Kraken11]

As someone who wants to be a drag king, it’s amazing to learn about it and see other people doing it and thriving, and the way everyone in this video describes it has just cemented that this is something that feels authentic and right for me :,) thank you for sharing

[@elleeeish407]

"That every time I hit the stage that there's somebody in the crowd hopefully that when they see me, they see themselves." My heart. That line hits so hard.

[@Viroh]

Yeah such a ridiculous sentence

[@shariharris5648]

Same! I absolutely adore drag kings and queens! And that feeling of being seen is what drag gives me!

[@eshow07]

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 22:5 )

[@elleeeish407]

@@eshow07 God isn't real, bro. Your Bible is irrelevant here.

[@eshow07]

@@elleeeish407You don't have to believe in Gravity either but if you jump off a building you're gonna fall

[@Oceanatornowk]

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that Drag Kings exist since Drag Queens exist, but it’s something I’ve never considered. Interesting video!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Quote of the Day: “Our patriarchal society doesn’t really take kindly to the idea that masculinity and manhood is something that anyone can put on.”

[@The_passiveObserver]

Because you can’t, it’s a label given to people of a shared lived experience it’ll always be seen as Illegitimate

[@sammytimgaming2947]

@@JKRowl god being the coincidence of the universe that is.

[@ellemarr7234]

@@sammytimgaming2947 yup cause there are 100,000 billion galaxies so to think some man in the sky chose Earthlings is PREPOSTEROUS

[@KAOST1ST1C-FN]

@@GrigRP Why do you care. Why do I care? We are bored and have nothing better to do. So let's have an argument right?

[@MaxxxPleasure]

Glad that hit for you haha ❤

[@jsmn5059]

thank yall so much for talking about the non-western history of drag. it's so good to see people who realize that not all people in this country only identify with western/european culture & history.

[@gartenzwerg44795]

There needs to be a Drag race show for Drag Kings!

[@fredericaube7636]

Next episode of Drag Race France will feature drag kings !!!

[@ruthantiaobong3502]

YASSSSSS

[@yiyidaksei]

AGREEEEEEEEEE

[@jaytb5815]

I went to a drag race once but they never raced, they just danced and walked silly. Strange

[@eshow07]

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 22:5)

[@jack_hodges]

‘Inspired by American rock stars’ - shows photos almost exclusively of British singers lol

[@chuchumanga7948]

Nasty

[@KAOST1ST1C-FN]

Oooops. 💩 happens. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MaxxxPleasure]

LOL omg wait... 😅

[@Oraerilla]

Came here to see if any other music enthusiasts noticed

[@dre3518]

Poor attention to detail… smh

[@zetazimmer4769]

Its way past time we had AFAB performers on drag race, like every new season should have at least one new AFAB star.

[@愛li]

Drag Queens are widely known and discussed but rarely about Drag Kings. Hence, this is an interesting topic.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Counterculture within a a counterculture within a counterculture. I like the sound of that.

[@musicplayah]

Just imagine how oppressed they must be.. god they're so cool. 💧💧🥵

[@manuelka15]

Yes Kiiing!

[@NinaShugh]

A whole lotta love for my black drag kings! We always slay!❤

[@Sjlasse]

knowing the history behind stuff like this makes it more respectable

[@yesterdaydream]

I love the description by King Molasses of a large hat being "very present." Glad y'all are very present.

[@MaxxxPleasure]

Thank you for including me in this video!! I yelled "YES KINNNGG" so many times while watching this haha

[@creeperlamoureux]

Love the guyliner and the goatee ❤️❤️❤️

[@MaxxxPleasure]

@@creeperlamoureux thank you!

[@clingdawg2229]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Vox]

Thanks for chatting with us 👑

[@PokhrajRoy.]

You were awesome 👏🏽

[@ewarrior9776]

Since I studied Black folks in vaudeville and burlesque I knew about the history of drag kings. I hope these new kings get the recognition they deserve.

[@jessicalypso8839]

I absolutely loved this! It makes me so happy to see people unabashedly expressing themselves, without a care in the world as to what anyone thinks! I myself am intersex. I was born with Klinefelter Syndrome & I identify as transfeminine nonbinary. My happiness absolutely SKYROCKETED when i finally stopped caring what people think! 😁

[@rhiannonkay5514]

I'm actually starting my Drg King Journey here in Las Vegas, NV. I really needed to see this. It's honestly so friggin' lonely whenever I wanna find community that will understand. I don't even want to do it as a job yet, I just want support. This saved my whole out look. Truly motivational. Thank you!

[@violetxoxox]

I hope you find a community. It’s a hard thing for so many of us to find these days, no matter what our interests. Best of luck on your journey! 🩷

[@em0ville]

wishing the best for you 💓

[@alieldorado1438]

Right there with you, but I live in the south. 😢

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

A drag king won a season of Dragula. I'd watch a Drag King competition show, honestly. And a hyper queen competition show. All the shows. Let's go!

[@yojiviriak675]

What's hyper queen

[@Monkey-081hs]

@@yojiviriak675 a hyper queen is a trans or bio woman dressing up like a drag queen. Not a king

[@susioeandno1else]

I would too

[@trinalps]

I would totally watch a drag king show!! drag queens are getting mainstream but a drag king show is NEEDED so that they can get some attention!!!

[@BossALKENO]

He’s really cool

[@thePronto]

1:42 "I draw a lot of inspiration from American rock stars..." then Vox proceeds to show 3 of 4 British rock stars (Jagger twice). The one American (Hendrix) made his name in the UK.

[@VidWatcher01]

I remember seeing a special about drag kings on MTV way back in the late 90s/2000s

[@Beanso]

No you don’t.

[@essiemusic7769]

This is phenomenal, finally a video about kings, I’ve been doing drag since 2020. I go by Dack Janiels, in the Sydney drag scene and I’ve loved every minute of it.

[@fancieterrell2977]

Hey! I'm a drag king also! Great to meet another king here!

[@demiurge2501]

That’s such a genius name

[@Maber610]

@@eshow07 cope

[@eshow07]

@@Maber610 nope

[@HellKitten93]

There are not enough people out here respecting drag kings, and it's shameful. Life is drag, baby.

[@tanya11877]

Thank you so much for including an Indigenous king. We rarely get any mention and I learned something new today 🧡

[@shelbysmith3712]

It's nice to see drag kings getting attention alongside the drag queens.

[@creeperlamoureux]

@@GrigRP yeah we see too many right wing politicians and priests in the media

[@fancieterrell2977]

I SOOO happy to see this! I'm a Drag King inspired by Glady Bentley and Storme Delarverie. Creating my persona "Qing Blaze" has helped me name myself and has opened a new outlet for me to explore myself and my art.

[@JayJay-nv2fs]

LET THIS BE THE ERA OF DRAG ROYALTYYYYY. Drag Kings and Queens assembleeeeee

[@userblame632]

​@@davisdelp8131 what are you so afraid of?

[@Lewej1]

@@davisdelp8131 It's okay, you'll get these things in due time 🥰

[@priestmike]

@@userblame632 feminism gone wrong. What's next? Kids loving adults? This world is upside down...It never ended well like this...in nature, there are 2 genders. Period. (Facts don't care about your feelings)

[@eshow07]

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 22:5)

[@KamalaHarris2024]

@@eshow07 you shouldn't be using any technology on the Sabbath.

[@cathybrooks2898]

I’m 65 years old and love RuPaul’s Drag Race. One of the contestants mentioned Drag Kings and I didn’t know what that meant. It’s awesome! You GO!

[@stopmakingsense1543]

Loved the time I spent as a drag king. Short but really fun!!!

[@ZARD-f5i]

I'm thinking of playing with toxic masculinity... the full "Gaston"...

[@fluididi1149]

I just did my first Drag King performance as Max Vibes a week ago. It was one of, if not THE best experience of my life. It was amazingly creatively fulfilling and I cant wait to do it again! thanks for talking about us :)

[@lilava2345]

I am a drag king inside I can’t wait to embrace it one day

[@_sh4rp]

I NEED MORE DRAG KING VISIBILITY!! A drag king race show?? Or any show yess please

[@LordRykard9376]

I too am a bot that needs more degeneracy.

[@Luxx0711]

Why is in the US everything about race? /s

[@DollyTheLlama]

@@Luxx0711 It's in reference to the television show, "RuPaul's Drag Race". The name of that one is a pun on drag racing, as in race cars.

[@qualinrobbs3957]

@@Luxx0711 Because literally everything about the us has a race element for example the settlement was a race thing whites vs natives, slavery was a race thing, moving west was a race thing, the Chinese building the railroads was a race thing etc

[@mxmissy]

I'm so glad we're talking about drag kings, they're so important and so lovely. I love drag kings so much. I wish that they were propped up like drag queens are in our pop culture.

[@TYBG85]

I agree. They need to be front and center and deserve true representation. Why can't a drag king read a good book to children? Drag kings are courageously living their truth.

[@eshow07]

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 22:5)

[@eshow07]

​@@mxmissy I'm not telling anyone anything

[@mxmissy]

@@eshow07 then what was the point in posting a religious verse?

[@eshow07]

@@mxmissy the Bible is the word of God

[@PogieJoe]

If you've never been to a drag king show, look up some local to you! They're so much fun.

[@makeracistsafraidagain]

Ah... anyone can put on masculinity. I like it. I was a soldier and a street cop. I'm capable of great violence. But that's not who I am. It's a performance I put on for my job. At home, with my wife, my grandkids, my neighbors, I'm a very gentle and patient person. I went back to school for a nursing degree. It's also a performance, but one that felt more comfortable. I feel sorry for men who can't drop the act. Cannot allow themselves to be vulnerable.

[@shoutmon1337]

@UCS1VFxauEAxAejKT_gBjbXA now hold on, he didn't say none about pride. Give sum cred where it's due, man's is making a very solid point. And soldiers and Cop don't have to stay soldiers and cops forever, that is for certain a personal choice

[@PaulHo]

Thank you for your werk. 💅🏾

[@sandata]

i'm happy for you mate. that sounds like you've really learned something valuable

[@cal.icopen]

THIS. People perceive vulnerability with being weak or fragile. When in reality I've personally come to learn that people who are vulnerable the most tend to be the strongest ones emotionally and socially. Keep up the good work, man

[@AttitudeforQA]

So men shouldn't act like men in general? And who said we all act 'manly' to put up an act? That's just who we are, the same way a woman acts feminine.

[@tomie3365]

I was asking my boyfriend but friend at the time a bunch of questions from a website once when we got bored and one of the question was "have you ever considered drag?" And they said never, not once. Honestly I'm not gonna like I was surprised and restated the question because of the amount of times I've considered drag

[@lokena67]

I have been to drag king shows here in STL. They are wonderful. Once around Christmas time, they donated all of their tips to Toys for Tots!

[@discohandgliding]

Yes, I would love love love to see a Drag King race reality competition on tv!

[@laneatkinson6441]

Yessssss!!! Drag kings deserve more attention 💖

[@hardkeema]

@@davisdelp8131 CHAD reply. Nice

[@mactastic144]

Don't tell Republicans about Drag Kings.

[@MG-do7yg]

Omg, I've been rewatching RuPaul's drag race episodes for the last few day and I started thinking why isn't there anything like that for drag kings, so I just googled the term I was, omg wow, this is so cool, RuPaul needs to do a show for drag kings. I literally just found out that this is really a thing, this is great, as a traditional older women who's kids are grown to me this is awesome.

[@DannyBPlays]

The only reason mainstream doesn't like it is because it makes them feel uncomfortable but they need to examine the *reason* it makes them uncomfortable. They've likely just never even thought about it for more than 3 seconds

[@jcougar831]

Alot of negative Opinions. Live and let live

[@UriPhoneCracker]

So let the negative opinions live

[@shoutmon1337]

@@UriPhoneCracker yall can't be this dense, bro. I'm sorry, but if your "opinion" is that these people don't deserve decency for being who they are, than it sounds like you need to reevaluate your understanding of "live and let live" especially of you actully heard the batching craziness these opinions consist of.

[@alliexcx5576]

@unstoppablephilosophy how does this have anything to do with right wing??

[@HelgaCavoli]

What amazing content. Congrats! So many different VOICES in here.

[@biharcourt]

Hey King Molasses, greetings from Nigeria ❤️🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

[@ek5994]

Loved all the various type of drag shows, cabaret and burlesque in NYC. Our patriarchal society doesn't support or make space for drag kings or f to m transition (or any transition...bigots are bigots across the board), especially because the patriarchy does not want more men, more competition, and what they view as a threat to their masculinity. They seem to be more "ok" with having more women; to exploit, objectify, possess, fetishize and violate, as in their minds it gives them another subgroup of the population to lord over.

[@mehco-op9061]

So are we gonna get a king version of drag race?

[@noelno4688]

Dang, it's these moments I wish I lived in US, cuz it's a crime in my country to be that gorgeous 🔥🔥🔥

[@yyg4632]

I love how they all have such different personas

[@SShiJie]

I accidentally read the title as "Drug Kings explained by Drug Kings"

[@abhitruechamp]

lol

[@TheLadyFae]

I absolutely adore this! They are unabashedly themselves and its such a sight to behold! People like this have always been such a source of inspiration for me 💜

[@victor9]

Never heard of it, but all for it! Let's see what them dudes can do lol!

[@cheslxy]

They should be part on Drag Race it’s called Drag Race for a reason.

[@michaelnelson2976]

WHOA, these names out of the gate are just incredible!!!!

[@LDN_MZK]

She said, AMERICAN rockstars, while you flashed a montage of mostly British Rockstars.... Nice work Vox. I see you do your research.

[@LittleSkepticalButStillSmart]

MOAR DRAG KINGS PLZ

[@TheKaurK]

Absolutely love this. I have casually wondered about this- and so great to see this thrive. Would love for it to be recognized by the mainstream ❤️

[@NyAppyMiku22]

i got to dress up as a drag king one time when i was younger and it was one of the most fun nights~

[@TheXvalenX]

Love these kings, they seem very cool and nice and look fantastic

[@astoriaatkinson]

I didn't know drag kings was a thing, and shame on me. Let's make them main stream!

[@justrandomotaku]

We need more drag Kings!! More recognition!!!

[@ericcarabetta1161]

I never knew drag kings were a thing, I love it.

[@dingdud6602]

It’s funny how threatened men are by women dressing as men and parodying them. Just look at the comments. It’s so uncomfortable for these dudes to see their masculinity as nothing but a costume that anyone can put on. And watch them try to pretend that noooo they’re totally not scared or uncomfortable! It’s just not naturaaalll! It’s weeiiirrrddd! It’s perveeerseee! Why? Why do you feel that? Every single person who respond negatively to this is just outing themself as insecure. It’s going to be hilarious to watch you flounder 😂

[@lauryw]

i identify as a woman but id love to do drag king....

[@pillbobaggins2766]

anyone can be a drag performer! you're born naked and the rest is drag!

[@LittleSkepticalButStillSmart]

So does the others, they sre real drag kings too

[@tshikosiphathutshedzotshik1396]

I'm enjoying this a lot

[@Oh_DeER_1_1o1_1]

I’ve always though that my drag persona was a queen, but, king is calling me so badly. Here borns Cornelio del Carmen😌

[@royalstudies7367]

These KINGS have me question my sexuality. ❤

[@Maviendha]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I love this. I don't know how to explain it. It feels like embracing every part of oneself.

[@o.h.w.6638]

I love this so much!!

[@catastrfy]

Excellent segment!

[@maxhamman]

How did nobody mention Annie Lennox

[@PaulHo]

Was Annie drag or androgynous?

[@ZARD-f5i]

One drink in the face so far ... going well lol

[@jennifervan75]

Finally Drag Kings!!!

[@icedcoldbrew]

i really hope one day I can fully flesh out a persona and perform. at least once in this lifetime.💕😭

[@DiscoTimelordASD]

Drag Race is okay, but a drag king show would be phenomenal to watch.

[@rgredmay]

Good for them but i doubt the audience for Drag kings and Drag race would overlap.

[@tellthemborissentyou]

Why does Vox keep showing as having a live feed?

[@huskydadtokoda]

This was so informative and enlightening, really well done Vox 👑

[@bluishpenguin7342]

I'm so happy misogyny was brought up and drag kings not getting enough attention!!!

[@clivematthews95]

This is so awesome to learn😊 🙏🏾

[@wildearthbounder4927]

This is awesome

[@pyrexo]

This is awesome!

[@lasimplisithe5440]

i wanna be a drag king !!!

[@blonderebel8356]

This is very exciting and I can't wait to see this progress to higher levels ❤ !!!!!

[@alec_thetinyhuman9763]

Thank you for this video (I am a baby drag king !!)

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

If bioqueens exist, does that mean I can be a bioking? Men are too (unintentionally) funny to not parody.

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

@Roxan Michelle Look up bioqueen and get back to me. 🤔 I can't present in a hypermacho manner without it being parody, so it ends up similar. I can't do drag as a queen because it feels misogynistic even if I don't feel that way about other people performing that way.

[@ForteFaiey]

@Roxan Michelle That is interesting...

[@pillbobaggins2766]

well i don't see why not! there's so much to work with in both celebration and parody of your identity as a man. if you like to ham it up and make people wheeze, give it a try.

[@topper1212]

More drag kings please....!

[@013aanikhfds]

These people have masculine voices down, especially Molasses.

[@brainftv]

I'd love to see a Drag Kings show in the future after Ru Paul's successful Drag Queens

[@isabelled.7732]

I would love to give this a shot, it looks fun :) just don’t know how to get into it

[@gabrielsalesmartins]

Thanks for the knowledge, I am going to look for these shows that you talked about, and look for more drag king content! :DD

[@ImperialGoldfish]

Hey this is pretty cool! Not interested in watching drag performances myself, but there's a pleasing balance to knowing that drag kings exist too

[@jackie9600]

Playing with masculine or feminine identity. Playing with.

[@iancr8199]

Great topic. Love it!

[@mannygutierrez7654]

I'd say I'm relatively entrenched in the LGBT community, but I've never heard of a drag king before.. I've wondered why I'd never seen one before, guess I just wasn't looking in the right places

[@alliexcx5576]

Drag kings and drag queens have nothing to do with our community.

[@l.j.1417]

This made me so happy.

[@IamwhatIam2012]

At 64 ( Fewf)… is it too OLD to start putting this long held fantasy into my reality? 😢