Mila Jam on It’s Raining Them, Going Viral and Global Impact
Make it stand out
‘For the first time in history, it’s not just raining men’ is the tagline for Mila Jam’s rewrite of the 80’s hit It’s Raining Men released last month. The new gender neutral lyrics of ‘It’s Raining Them’, a Deezer Original, not only add inclusivity to the track, but celebration for non binary and trans individuals. To ensure the lyrics of ‘It’s Raining Them’ were fully inclusive, Deezer worked closely with Gendered Intelligence, a charity that raises awareness of gender diversity and aims to improve trans people’s quality of life. Deezer also wanted to ensure it gave back to the community and has committed to donating all of its streaming revenue from It’s Raining Them to Gendered Intelligence for one year.
With an internet history in parodying pop songs, this reworking by Mila Jam and Gendered Intelligence is a rewriting of past narratives in a modern context, without removing the fun or joy of the original. Polyester spoke with the video vixen all about her activist work both online and offline, the importance of aesthetics and her history of challenging norms.
Deezer is notably donating all of its streaming revenue from It’s Raining Them to Gendered Intelligence for one year, how important was it to you that success from the record goes back into the community it represents?
It’s extremely important to me! We have to generate money for our LGBTQ+ organisations to continue to provide outlets and resources for the community.
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Where did the inspiration for rewriting It’s Raining Them come from?
It was actually an idea that global music streaming service Deezer came up with. They approached me to sing this new inclusive version. Deezer, Gendered Intelligence and I worked together to transform the lyrics of It’s Raining Men to It’s Raining Them.
What other songs do you think could use an inclusive rewrite?
There are actually many songs that are gender neutral (which we love)… but the classic Cyndi Lauper hit Girls Just Wanna Have Fun could be cleverly inclusive!
It’s Raining Them really harkens back to your previous parody videos under the Britney Houston moniker, do you think you’d ever return to funnier rewrites?
The sensation Britney Houston never did rewrites. Parodies are amusing, but entertainment creating social change is where it’s at!
Do you think there’s an underestimated power in making people laugh, as doing so was a large part of your internet presence for so long?
Laughter brings us together. It gets us through tough times. I think comedians are healers. So yes… it is quite powerful. I love my funny bone, but I love being multifaceted more.
You went viral last year at a BLM march for wearing a “Stop Killing Us” unitard, what was the importance of emblazoning this message on your body over holding it on a sign?
Before the bodysuit, the original viral moment was wearing the words painted on my body. Trans bodies are way too often disrespected, mistreated and abused. What better way to call attention to our visual senses than to display such a message.
I feel that often aestheticism can be seen as unimportant in relation to discussions on patriarchy, racism and capitalism and it’s definitely a misjudgement Polyester tries to tackle in our work. What do you think visual assets - like your viral jumpsuit - add to the conversation?
Aesthetics are important because they make us happy and connect. My “Stop Killing Us” campaign gets those that are unaware talking and those that are - an opportunity to inform… in a conversational and artistic way.
And finally, what can we expect next from Mila Jam and your fight for trans and nonbinary inclusion in the mainstream?
Being a Black trans woman the only constant is fighting… for our rights, for our personhood, for our lives. I want to see us thrive. To see us victorious in celebration amidst the judgement. Being a part of the conversation should not be optional. Queer/trans/nonbinary folk have been a part of humanity since the beginning of forever. My fight will continue to be just that, Me. As for what’s next? Global impact 💚
Words: Gina Tonic
It's Raining Them by Mila Jam is exclusively available on Deezer and the music video is out on YouTube now.
