Billy Dean Thomas, AKA “The Queer B.I.G” is a Hip-hop recording artist and composer born and raised in Harlem, but currently residing in Boston. Billy challenges the music industry with their live band and polyrhythmic flows that align with intersectional feminism, social justice and the difficulties of growing up in NYC. After sharing their story on ABC’s the View and releasing their debut EP “Rocky Barboa” they have been nominated for two Boston Music awards, were selected as The Boston Foundations 2018 Lab Grant recipient and have just completed the 2018 MASS MOCA residency.