Drag king Pressure K premieres Black, queer variety show on Saturday

Stone Mountain-based comedian Keena “KB2Funny” Blythe felt rejected following last year’s elimination from “King of Drag,” a reality TV competition series for masculine-presenting performers.

This year, however, the performer who competed on the show as drag king Pressure K is shaping a different story — into performance art that expresses self-love.

The loss on the Revry streaming show compounded Blythe’s confidence when she sought to book gigs as Pressure K. Blythe tried contacting club and event promoters to produce events but received no replies.

One promoter told him they had reservations about his racial and sexual identities.

“I was told I was too Black in the city that made me, and it hurt my feelings. Things were slowing down, but it made me take a step back, turn a negative into a positive and show people how Black I can be,” Blythe told UATL.

As evidence of that rebound, Blythe is hosting, producing and showrunning “Black AF: A Love Letter to Our Culture,” a variety show featuring Black LGBTQ+ performers, at Out Front Theatre Company on Saturday. The show features stand-up, sketch comedy, drag, spoken word poetry and music performances emphasizing love, intimacy, happiness, overcoming racism and sexism.

Blythe is orchestrating the one-night production to showcase diverse LGBTQ+ entertainers. “I looked for the same people who have the dream, believe in themselves and me,” she said.

“We’re going to laugh, reminisce, have a homecoming, heal, lift you up and have a good time.”

Keena “Pressure K” Blythe is the host, producer and showrunner of “Black AF: A Love Letter to Our Culture.” Blythe is orchestrating the one-night production to showcase diverse LGBTQ+ entertainers. (Courtesy of Scott Youngblood)

“Black AF” is being held on the last day of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Blythe considers the show a token of appreciation to Black and queer icons who fought for equality.

“It’s a dream come true, because they couldn’t do this out loud. I am showing my skin to the world, and I feel the pain of my ancestors because of what they went through,” she said.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Blythe moved to Stone Mountain with her family in 1993. It exposed her to Atlanta’s culture and community of Black professionals.

“We got stuck in Freaknik traffic, so I was able to see the clothes and music. It was my first time seeing Black lawyers, doctors and putting my hands on Martin Luther King’s casket. I felt the richness in my melanin and was able to process Black history,” she said.

As a teenager, Blythe realized she was gay. It created estrangement with her parents, so she turned to comedy.

In 2020, Blythe’s wife encouraged her to try stand-up at The Laughing Skull’s open mic night in Midtown. She improvised a routine about her relationship with her mother.

Performing for an audience brought Blythe’s childhood dreams to fruition.

“I was able to speak up about what was happening in my life,” she said. “The audience laughed, and it gave me chills. I started to write, map it out and grew a set with no problem.”

Blythe said finding her passion also meant getting educated on entrepreneurship.

“We learned we could make money, but we need to put on two or three comedy shows a week,” she said

Then, one night at a club in 2023, Blythe saw a drag king perform in jewelry and baggy clothes. She connected with the gender-nonconforming entertainer’s stage presence.

“He looked like the freedom was coming off him. I didn’t know the song he was performing, but I wanted to do this and be that full masculine energy.”

Blythe started networking at drag festivals and competed in Mug Check, a monthly drag contest at My Sister’s Room lesbian bar. Out of those performances evolved her alter ego, Pressure K, and an invitation to compete on “King of Drag.”

But being a contestant opened old wounds. Blythe, who’s been estranged from her parents since 2016, had to discuss the fractured relationship on the show.

She credits going to therapy to overcome their distance.

“It felt like I got out of prison, because I realized my setback from being myself was the rules my mother had over me. It was emotional to open that part of me, but I felt supported and empowered seeing the kings feel confident in themselves.”

“Black AF” is being held on the last day of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Creator Keena “Pressure K” Blythe considers the show a token of appreciation to Black and queer icons who fought for equality. (Courtesy of Scott Youngblood)

“Black AF” arrives at a time when there’s ongoing cuts to public arts funding and proposed anti-LGBTQ+ federal legislation. Blythe said the show reminds audiences to remain resilient.

“We’re still being used as a distraction, but we’re not the problem. We’re still Black joy, telling the truth and fighting the lies,” she said.

Blythe, who plans to produce a one-woman show, hopes members of the LGBTQ+ community appreciate her transparency and evolution.

“Being Black and queer is my truth,” she said. “It’s time, and I’m ready to put my fear, joy and emotions all out there.”

IF YOU GO

“Black AF: A Love Letter to Our Culture”