Link Lauren, You | Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

In the 52nd edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2024), we highlight the song, “You” performed by Link Lauren.

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 52nd edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2024), we highlight “You” performed by Link Lauren.

Not thinking about boys is an arduous task. The multifaceted Link Lauren has a specific boy in mind on his 2020 single, “You”.  He never gives ‘You’ a name, but the Gen-Z-er is smitten with him.  How smitten? In the chorus, he sings, “‘Cause baby it’s you / Got my mind and my body all screwed / Got your name on my ass tattooed / Count the hours until you come through.” Hold up, now? Link, you have an ass tattoo with this boy’s name on it? Maybe that’s a Gen-Z thing (I’m a millennial, after all).  Funny enough, the single cover art features Link’s left ass cheek, but his name is tatted on it 🫣 🤭.

“You” is a blast by the way – and no shade from this millennial to the Zoomers, I promise! The lyrics are fun from the get-go, even before the ass-cheek tatted chorus! “I wrote down your name in my diary / I lose my breath when you kiss me,” Lauren asserts in the first verse.  He adds, “You could spend the night / Do it every night / ‘Til we see daylight / Daylight.” Woo, that’s a lot of sex! The second verse is spicy too as he mentions “Claw marks on your back every time you leave.” Oh, snap! The bridge contrasts musically, embodying a dreamy, ‘romantic’ sound, supporting lyrics like, “Can’t you see what you’ve done to me / You drive me crazy.” While the sexed-up nature is what makes “You” the bop that it is, Lauren also has the future in mind (“Put a ring on it show me that trust”).  Monogamy, baby! Or, at least ethical nonmonogamy? Anyways, “You” is the sugar honey iced tea. Link Lauren brings plenty of personality, swag, and sex. His vocals are playful, and he brings the rhythmic, tuneful melodies to life like a champ. Groovy from the get-go, this joint is sleekly produced.  If you missed out on this bop in 2020, you need to add it to your listening rotation, ASAP!

Link Lauren // “You” // Link Lauren Music // 2020

Link Lauren, You: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 52 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Link Lauren Music; Elias Souza, Los Muertos Crew from Pexels; CatsWithGlasses, David, Maicon Fonseca Zanco, Square Frog, Sudo from Pixabay]