Caushun (born Jason Herndon, 1977) is an American rapper, often erroneously referred to as the first openly gay hip-hop artist to be signed to a major record label in the United States.
"Caushun" sparked interest and was mentioned in a variety of publications, television programs and documentaries, including MTV as a rapper and celebrity judge, BET, VH1, Newsweek, The New York Times and Interview magazine.
After a 2002 interview in the Washington, D.C. LGBT newspaper Metro Weekly,[2] a 2003 profile in The New York Times by Touré,[3] and a feature in The Advocate,[4] prominent hip-hop figures took interest and began to endorse Caushun publicly.
[5] Matias revealed that the Caushun persona started out as a prank when he and friends called into the "Star and Buc Wild Show" on Hot 97 in New York as a flamboyantly gay rapper.
After a series of call-in performances that became increasing popular, Matias agreed to meet with radio host Star (aka Troi Torain) at Hot 97, where he explained the situation.