Mavi Phoenix the rapper has become Mavi Phoenix the rapper. Now "Boys Toys" is the long-awaited debut album by the Austrian musician, who has only been using the male pronoun for the new year. Mavi Phoenix, real name Marlon Nader (24), spoke to the news agency spot on news about gender roles, the reactions to his trans-outing and the concerns he had before.
You outed yourself in January 2020 in an Instagram post as a trans male. When did you start feeling trans?
Marlon Nader: I believe that the desire to belong to the opposite sex has always been there, but I could never really name it as a child or during puberty. The older I got, the greater my desire to go into this feeling until it finally took me 23 years to come out.
What were the reactions in public space, i.e. on Instagram and Co. and in private, i.e. from parents, friends and acquaintances?
Nader: I would be lying if I said that everyone only reacted positively. Although the reactions to Instagram and Co. are largely positive, the whole thing feels very much like a restart. I notice that the fans and I are also reorienting and I think I am currently building a good foundation for the male Mavi. My private environment was surprised and partly overwhelmed, since trans-outing is not an everyday occurrence. We are currently in a process and the good thing is that I can speak openly to everyone.
Which reaction annoyed, amazed or surprised you the most?
Nader: What annoyed me the most was the reactions of male fans, who then try to explain to me why I am not or cannot be trans and that I was such a pretty girl. Such men also show me what kind of man I never want to be.
When did you decide to go public?
Nader: Actually as soon as it was clear to me that I am more transgender. I knew I wanted to continue making music and that this would only be possible in connection with an outing.
Did you have any concerns before you decided to do so?
Nader: Yes. I have been working on my career as an "artist" for years now. I was definitely afraid of having to start from scratch. However, these thoughts were unimportant compared to the desire to finally be myself. So the decision was not difficult for me.
Do you treat people who may not know anything about it differently now?
Nader: I notice that there are fears of contact because people may be afraid to say something wrong. But I always try to take that fear away from you.
Has anything changed for you when it comes to data?
Nader: I don't date anymore. Can you now interpret how you want.
Gender roles are still about "typical man" and "typical woman". What is typical for you?
Nader: In reality that's all nonsense. But I also have to keep reminding myself that there is no such typical male or female at all. It is difficult for me because I want to be seen as a man and therefore I try to be very "male" and as little "female" as possible.
Rap and hip hop in particular are bursting with toxic masculinity and sexism. How are you perceived by other artists in the genre?
Nader: Probably not yet as a "whole guy". But that also fits. I want to be a new example to other open guys.
Your tour should start in Bremen on April 15th. The whole thing, like so much, falls into the water because of the corona crisis. How disappointed are you?
Nader: The tour is now officially postponed to November. I'm sad, of course, but on the other hand we're all the same and I can't really get upset about it. I'm looking forward to November and I think it will be even more beautiful.
What do you think, what economic consequences this will have for you personally and the music industry?
Nader: It will be very, very difficult financially for many people, and I can already tell by canceling the tour and many other concerts that 2020 will still be interesting.