Queer artist Conleth Kane is ‘Proud’ for Belfast Pride with 7th Heaven remix

Described by OK! Magazine as “the breath of fresh air we all need right now” and QX Magazine as “an infectiously energetic, refreshingly cheerful singer/songwriter”, Northern Ireland native and London-based artist Conleth Kane has teamed up with acclaimed, world-leading pop producers 7th Heaven to bring us a big dance-club banger with a message!

Conleth Kane recorded his debut album, Proud – Live in London in London’s West End in October of 2018. The album saw him shoot to Number 2 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Charts in Feb 2019. After releasing his five star reviewed EP Liberty during the pandemic, he is now returning this summer, just in time for the reopening of clubs, with the 7th Heaven Remix of his LGBTQ+ anthem “Proud!” 

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“7th Heaven has remixed songs for most of my favourite artists, so the fact they took on my song as an independent Artist was pretty huge for me,’ says Conleth. 7th Heaven’s remix of “Proud” had its nationwide premiere on Virgin Radio Pride, and was made available on all major music platforms on July 16. 

The music video for the 7th Heaven remix of “Proud” premieres today, July 23, which also happens to be the first day of Belfast Pride in Conleth’s native country of Northern Ireland. In an interview with BelfastLive last year, the Lurgan-born singer/songwriter, who is also a regular host at Belfast’s Pride celebrations, stated that the message of “Proud” is “very personal” to him.

“Growing up as a gay kid in Lurgan in the 90s was hard and it has had a massive impact on my mental health,” he says. “This song was waiting to come out of me for years. It’s a real anthem, and it’s a celebration of being who you are. I wrote it from the perspective of being a gay man, but it’s really a song for everyone.”

In the article, he goes on to speak on his belief that his home country has made many advances in LGBTQ rights, but there is “still a lot of work to be done.” 

“The DUP has said some really awful and derogatory things about our community in the past so publicly and have never once apologised. If it wasn’t for the UK parliament stepping in, then Equal Marriage would still be restricted here.”

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He goes on to say, “There needs to be more LGBTQ education in schools as well. I grew up with no indication in school that it was OK to be me. I spent my early years thinking there was something wrong with me.”

He also acknowledges that this is the reason why he wrote an important song like “Proud.” 

“It’s my way of spreading a positive message of equality through my music, and if I can change one person’s mind with it’s message — I’ve done my job,” he says.

7th Heaven’s remix of “Proud” is currently available on all music platforms, and you can watch the brand new music video below! 

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