Last month, iLoveMakonnen announced to the world that he is gay. Now, Willamette Week publishes an insightful article, in which Makonnen says his move to Portland helped him be himself.

"Portland is a place where everyone is being themselves, so I just felt like, I'm living here, and I want to be able to be myself," Makonnen says. "I guess that's why I call it my home now."

Props to Makonnen for making the move to the Pacific Northwest, a place that allowed him to feel more comfortable in his own skin. Portland has a much different vibe than Makonnen's hometown of Atlanta, but that's exactly what appealed to the "Tuesday" singer. "I just really wanted to get away from the city, but still be kind of in a city," he says. "This was my No. 1 choice."

Makonnen admits he's not concerned about any judgmental haters or naysayers. "I kind of fit in and just do my own thing, and that's what happens here in Portland," he says. "Out-of-towners call it weird, but I just call it normal."

On the music tip, the 27-year-old artist was recently featured on Nick Hook's Relationships album. Makonnen contributes to track eight on the album, "All Alone." 21 Savage, Michael Christmas and Meyhem Lauren are also featured on the project.

See 9 Hip-Hop Artists Who Embrace Being Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual

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