Binoy, POPular | Beaming with Pride

In the 34th edition of Beaming with Pride (2025), we highlight the song, “POPular” performed by Kenyan queer musician, Binoy.  

Prepare to beam with P-R-I-D-E ️‍! Beaming with Pride celebrates, embraces, and spotlights songs by LGBTQ musicians or allies.  Here, we provide background and insight into musician(s) and analyze + go gaga over the decadent bops served up.  When the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is fully articulated.  All styles of music are welcome while the songs can be classics or brand-spanking new. . So, without further ado, in the 34^th edition of Beaming with Pride (2025), we highlight “POPular” performed by Binoy.

Ah, Binoy (Binoy Zachariah) – Kenya’s finest! The Los Angeles-based queer musician hails from Nairobi and also has South Asian heritage.  Eclectic, fearless, and talented, Binoy ‘brings it’ with every song. “POPular” is no exception! Zachariah, Jason Hines, and Parichay Nathani composed the intriguing bop. Binoy and Tripped N Sat (Hines and Nathani). The production and sound are ear-catching and sleek.  The palette is a blend of electronic, pop, and world music. Zachariah has plenty of instrumental fire for his vocal performance!

From the jump, Binoy is fierce! He delivers assertive, rapped vocals.  “Let’s begin / Long ago / Just a boy / On his own / Never picked / Never chose / That’s a thorn / Not a rose.” Ooh-wee! That is a lot, Binoy! He brings ample personality without forcing things – a cool energy. After setting up his underdog status, he portrays himself as a popular boy.  “With the shit that you like / Make you dance / Make you grind / Make you lose your fucking mind.” Desiring to be the desired, he asks, “Do you feel / The fantasy?” He expands on the fantasy, one felt by queer and straight individuals worldwide. Is he unreasonable when stating, “I want to be hot / To be sexy / For the boys to line up / And impress me?” No, of course not.  Have you seen the unattainable perfection of some gay men who are far too hot to even hope to approach? Amid his fantasies, Binoy is incredibly self-aware in this pop song.  “I’m grown but I’m still growing / My jealousy is showing,” he asserts, “These thoughts I can’t control them / I just want to be chosen.” Again, nothing he says is far-fetched.  The lyrics are relatable to the nth degree.  “POPular” is not a traditional pop song. It is a bit all over the place.  That is part of the charm and seems intentional.  When our minds meander, particularly when it comes to love and lust, we are all over the place.  Balancing rapped/chanted vocals and traditional singing, our favorite Kenyan queer musician excels once more.   

Binoy // “POPular” // Binoy Zachariah Music // 2025

Binoy, POPular: Beaming with Pride No. 34 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Binoy Zachariah Music; Elias Souza, Mario Spencer, Mizuno K from Pexels;  All_CC0_Public_domain, CatsWithGlasses, David, ernestflowerss, Kelly, M. Harris, Marek Studzinski, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]