Editor's Note: This interview took place before Kevin Aviance's hospitalization. We are delighted that he has recovered and look forward to sharing his journey at every bright moment!When Kevin Aviance speaks, he carries the electric vibrancy of someone who's seen the depths of the dance floor and returned brighter, bolder, and fiercely resilient. His voice and music have echoed across the clubs of New York City for decades and resonated deeply with queer audiences. Now, with the release of his newest single, "Beautiful," Aviance is celebrating an extraordinary revival and reaffirming the joyful connection he has long shared with his listeners. "People have such a connection with me, with the past, and I wanted to bring them back to that moment," Kevin reflects, describing the inspiration behind the new single. "Beautiful," an uplifting anthem affirming self-worth, was birthed almost effortlessly after initial hesitations and unexpected setbacks. "I am beautiful," he repeats like a mantra, a line spilling forth with heartfelt spontaneity during the creative process. Within half an hour, Aviance explains how he created a chorus that felt not only magical but deeply necessary. This recent moment of triumph is just one in a long career marked by memorable highs and challenging lows. One of those highs came in 2022 when Beyonc sampled Aviance's "Cunty" on her track "PURE/HONEY." "I passed out on the floor," he admits with a laugh, remembering the overwhelming response and embracing this profound moment of acknowledgment.Aviance is also no stranger to navigating tumultuous emotional landscapes. Parts of his story carry the scars of violence following a hate crime in 2006. Painful as it was, he highlights that not everyone is so lucky to survive these incidents: "Two other attacks happened right after mine. They were killed," he remembers. Part of his recovery led him to briefly reside in Florida, where a group of Jamaican women significantly contributed to his healing journey, imparting wisdom and strength to him. Returning to New York after several years, Aviance confronted a city transformed. With this shift comes the shifting landscape of the city's queer community, something he has embraced, noting the migrations to the Bronx and Brooklyn as the costs of living rise and cultural shifts reshape neighborhoods once central to queer life. Aviance remains firmly rooted in Manhattanspecifically, Harlemenjoying the simple pleasure of one of New York's enduring symbols: the bodegas. "I'm a real New Yorker," he proudly declares. But I also read something that lies underneath his declaration: a refusal to detach from the vibrancy that has defined his being.At the heart of this experience is someone who possesses deep self-awareness and firmly believes in the importance of radical self-care. "Every day for me is radical self-care," he declares. "I have to make an effort every day to look at myself in the mirror[tell myself] 'you're gonna have to press forward, and you're gonna have to not let things get to you.'" It's a conscious act whose existence within a Black queer body presents daily challenges and oppressive norms in today's environment. Still, Kevin makes the shift as a testament to survival and empowerment. At 56, Kevin is warmly embracing his evolving role as an elder in the community, later noting the loss of peers and mentors to the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. Today, he fills that void, providing wisdom and guidance to a younger generation. "I definitely don't have the handbook," he humorously admits, though fully aware of the decisive role he plays. Nevertheless, he hopes he can bring "the children" out over the coming weeks during his festival appearances and upcoming performances. Although an elder, this artist continues to embrace his craft with renewed passion and purposeand shows no signs of slowing down. As he continues to perform and release music, Kevin Aviance remains a fierce beacon of radical joy and resilience, passionately serving and playing for our community with heart and unwavering belief in the power of beauty, authenticity, and music. With every beat he drops, every song he sings, and every space he occupies, he vibrates with a message clear and profound: You are beautiful, powerful, and deserving of joy.