one queer thing: a bop to self-worth for the ages 🎭
alex newell's "boy you can keep it" serves fierce realness (and killer vocals)
tl;dr: alex newell's "boy you can keep it" is the anthem we need - a soulful, empowering track that reminds us all to know your worth. plus, don't miss our new substack sommelier pick and the latest hillcrest hotspot at the end!
hey mis amores! 👋🏽
ever told someone to fuck off? in puerto rican spanish, it’s “vete pa’l carajo”.
i mean, i’m sure at some point all of us have told someone to leave us alone. a “thanks, but no thanks” to their sad excuse for affection? or love, even? well, today’s “one queer thing” pick is the perfect send-off.
today’s queer thing is not just a song, but a real declaration of independence. it’s the auditory equivalent of looking at expectation in the eye and saying “nah, i’m good.” this is a full-throated rejection of settling for less, wrapped in a melody that will have you snapping fingers and nodding in agreement.
before we head into today’s pick, let’s take the time to marinade in bell hooks’ wisdom:
"'queer' not as being about who you're having sex with (that can be a dimension of it); but 'queer' as being about the self that is at odds with everything around it and that has to invent and create and find a place to speak and to thrive and to live."
i’m about to introduce you to an artist that embodies this to their core. someone who doesn’t just sing, but uses their voice as a weapon against complacency. their lyrics aren’t just words - they’re arrows aimed at the heart of they who dare to undervalue them.
past queer things: (13) "man to man" by dorian electra | (12) "follow the cyborg" by miss grit | (11) "sana sana" by nathy peluso | (10) "flowers" (miley cyrus cover) by marlon caro & lidice | (9) "this hell" by rina sawayama | see more…
you can find the “one queer thing” playlist on spotify here.
one queer thing: "boy you can keep it" by alex newell
alex newell burst onto the scene with their powerhouse vocals on glee, but honey, they were just getting started. this grammy-nominated artist breaks barriers and surpasses expectations. and their song "boy you can keep it" is a perfect example of their boundary-pushing artistry.
from the first two honks of the horn section, "boy you can keep it" grabs you and doesn't let go. newell's voice - a force of nature that would make whitney houston proud - soars as they declare, "that sad little thing you call a heart, before we start / boy, you can keep it." it's not just a rejection; it's a whole ass reclamation of self-worth.
newell’s journey from glee breakout to grammy-nominated artist is a master class in not giving a fuck about what others think. they’ve faced obstacles and barriers in the industry but instead of playing nice, newell has carved their own lane. and this song shows it.
"i'm not impressed with fancy cars, on the boulevard
boy, you can keep it."
newell's basically saying, "your fancy gifts and empty promises? keep 'em." the chorus hits harder, though:
"i can't keep lovin' on faith
good things don't come to those who wait."
it's a wake-up call louder than el gallo at 5am. if this won’t give you the clarity you need to go, you might need stronger glasses, mi amor.
i stumbled on this song again this week, feeling stuck about what to share with y'all. (i always want to bring you the good stuff!) then boom - this track blasted through my speakers, and i remembered why it mattered so much.
this jam got me through one of those breakups that feels like your heart's been put through a meat grinder. it became my battle cry as i packed up my life in dc and catapulted myself to san diego. every time newell belted "i'm going solo," i felt strong enough to bench press my emotional baggage and then some. this wasn't about anyone else being less; it was about me refusing to be in the clearance rack.
"just when i thought i heard it all
you dropped the ball, i can't believe it
if you bring the ah, then i'll bring the sauce
but we ain't there yet, so you can keep it."
this song is a stark reminder that we often give people second chances they haven't earned, believing empty promises and half-assed efforts. like, why are we out here handing out loyalty like it's samples at costco? newell's telling us it's time to raise our standards higher than abuela's expectations for our careers - if they can't match your energy, they can keep their mediocrity to themselves.
this song isn't just catchy; it's cathartic. it gives voice to that part of us that knows we deserve better. it’s the kick in the ass we sometimes need to act on it. newell's performance is a masterclass in turning pain into power, rejection into self-respect. it's the musical equivalent of saying "no me jodas" and actually meaning it.
for those of you struggling with self-worth or stuck in toxic relationships, let this be your wake-up call. you don't have to settle. you're allowed to want more, to demand better. and sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is walk away and treat yourself instead.
"boy you can keep it" is still in my regular rotation. this song is my constant reminder to value myself more than a perfectly ripe aguacate. it's not just a breakup song - it's a breakthrough song. so crank it up and sing along. oh, and always remember - you're worth more than someone's crappy "u up?" text at 2am.
what songs have helped you through tough times or reminded you of your worth? share in the comments - let's create a playlist of empowerment that slaps.
hasta la próxima, mis amores! 💖
edgard✊🏽🌈
substack sommelier.
bienvenidos to our weekly literary happy hour, mi gente! time to sample some of substack's finest vintages. and after our deep dive into alex newell's self-worth anthem, i think we could all use a chaser of raw, unfiltered realness. now, let's uncork today's special brew, shall we?
enter 's . if "boy you can keep it" is the anthem that gets you pumped to leave a situationship, love, kamory is the late-night journal entry that helps you process the aftermath.
this substack hits like that friend who always keeps it 100, even when the truth stings. kamory serves up a cocktail of personal essays, cultural commentary, and unapologetic blackness that'll leave you buzzed with inspiration and self-reflection.
coño, the range on this substack! from "confessions of a black, misunderstood heaux" to deep dives into insecure, kamory creates a space where vulnerability and intellect dance like rum and coke. one day she's breaking down zodiac signs like a cosmic bartender, the next she's unpacking black girl luxury with precision. it's like having a group chat with your wisest, funniest, and most insightful friends all rolled into one perfectly curated feed.
what makes love, kamory stand out in substack's crowded bar is kamory's voice itself. it's so authentic, you'll feel like you've been besties since kindergarten after just one essay. she's not afraid to show her rough drafts - of her writing and herself.
so, if you're thirsting for a substack that'll make you laugh, think, and maybe ugly-cry into your pillow, subscribe to . it's the perfect nightcap after our empowerment shot of alex newell. now if you'll excuse me, i need to go reread "and bitch, one thing about me i'ma be delusional" for the fifth time (my favorite piece of hers, tbh). because sometimes, a little delusion is exactly the hair of the dog we need to face another day in this world.
hillcrest hotspot.
¡ay, carajo! october's here, mi gente, and hillcrest is serving pumpkin spice realness with a side of queer rebellion! while basic bitches are posting their #PSLs on instagram, we're spiking our lattes with glitter and revolution. strap on your fiercest fall boots - we've got tea to spill and streets to paint rainbow!
🎨 mural alley's artistic extravaganza: today thursday, oct. 3, 5-10pm @ mural alley. local artists, booze, and beats? sign me up! catch dj valerian and rhythm & root turning this alley into san diego's hottest outdoor club. (next one: november 7th - mark those calendars!)
🗳️ kiwanis club seeking fresh blood (metaphorically, vampires need not apply) the hillcrest kiwanis club is on the hunt for a new board member. if you're itching to flex your leadership muscles and have opinions to spare, throw your hat in the ring by oct. 11. reply to this email or contact benny cartwright for more information.
🏖️ beach cleanup for national coming out day: come out for mother earth! this saturday, oct. 5, swap your rainbow flags for trash bags at saratoga park in ob. fuel up with coffee and conchas at 8am, then get down and dirty from 9-11am. rsvp at volunteer.surfrider.org. porque la playa también es queer, mi gente!
🚫 hate? not in san diego! city leaders are bringing the heat during "unite against hate week," mi gente. with hate crimes up 39%, they're saying "¡ya basta!" to the pellet gun pendejos and anti-semitic flyer fools. wanna join the fight? hit up cavshate.org or call 833-8-no-hate. remember, silence = complicity. speak up, show up, and let's keep san diego fabulous for everyone!
🏗️ brooklyn meets hillcrest: new developers shake up the 'hood greenline development group is bringing nyc flair to our streets with a 69-unit apartment project on 10th ave. think pet spas and coworking spaces without the big-city claustrophobia. best part? they're betting on our car-free lifestyle, focusing on walkability and bike storage. hillcrest's about to get a glow-up, mi gente - let's hope it keeps its queer sparkle!
🚶♂️ time-travel through queer hillcrest with lambda archives lace up your walking shoes, mi gente! lambda archives is serving herstory realness with two guided tours. oct. 16 explores hillcrest east (think salsa nights and drag debuts), while oct. 26 tackles hillcrest west (ww2 impact and queer witchcraft, anyone?). snag tickets for one or both - your gay ancestors demand it!
🌈 normal street promenade: from dream to reality (finally!) our beloved pride plaza is getting a $27.5 million glow-up! construction kicks off this november, transforming normal street into a linear park complete with a restored trolley car café, playground, and rainbow bikeway. it'll be our new go-to spot for everything from farmer's markets to candlelight vigils. mark your calendars for the grand opening in november 2026, mi gente - hillcrest's heart is about to beat a whole lot louder!
🐻bearquake 2024 is gonna shake things up: oct 17-20. bears sd is bringing you a weekend furrier than your abuela's coat closet. from queer history lessons at the studio door to crowning mr. bear san diego at rich's - it's about to get grizzly (in the best way).
🐺 harvest howl: spooky season meets lgbtq+ real estate realness the lgbtq+ real estate alliance is throwing a haunted house party (minus the house) on oct. 24, 5-8pm at radian luxury apartments rooftop. food, drinks, and fab views, all for a good cause. tickets are hotter than a vampire in daylight, so start manifesting now!
🎃 calling all spooky allies: boo bash needs your ghostly presence! trans family support services is haunting for helpers at their third annual halloween extravaganza. creep on over to hillcrest on saturday, october 26, 11am-2pm, and join the #TeamTFSS coven. don't be a zombie - sign up now and make this boo bash a scream!
🕸️ nightmare on normal street: hillcrest's spooky soirée returns! mark your calendars for october 26th, mi gente! this will take place right after boo bash. fabulous hillcrest is serving up a monster mash of costume contests, all-ages dancing, and enough booze to wake the dead. want your business to haunt the event? donate a gift card and watch your promo spread like a zombie virus. it's time to get freaky on normal street!
mi gente, hillcrest isn't a place, it's a state of mind. whether you're enjoying mural alley or bear-hugging strangers, you're the glitter in this neighborhood's beard. now go forth and be gay af - i'll see you on these neon-lit streets, turning every corner into our own personal pride parade! 💅🍂🌈
Summer Walker's Over It album got me through my first (and only) heartbreak. I played that album ouuuut!!! & to this day it still hits like omg what a real ass bitch she was for that
this one is new for my ears! great recommendation!