By: Michael Jacobs, Senior Correspondent | K-Pop Music News
NEW YORK, NY — (June 7, 2026) — Music fans and LGBTQ audiences can now experience one of RuPaul’s most influential early career hits in a whole new way as Tommy Boy Records officially premieres the remastered 4K edition of “Back To My Roots”.
Originally released in 1993 from RuPaul’s debut album Supermodel of the World, the infectious house anthem helped solidify the entertainment icon’s rise from underground club favorite to mainstream cultural phenomenon. The song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart and became a defining soundtrack within LGBTQ nightlife during the early 1990s.
Trending Queer Pop Music Videos on JRL CHARTS Gay Music News:
• Mad Tsai Deliver a Bold Visual Statement in New ‘Diet’ Music Video
• Nick Hissom Saddles Up for Wild “YEEHAW” Visual That Has Fans Talking
• Mad Tsai’s ‘BITE’ Music Video Crosses 1 Million Views With Gothic LGBTQ Storyline
• Nick Hissom Ignites Pop Scene with “Hot Boy Things” Official Video
• Keiynan Lonsdale Drops “Belong 2 U” in Cinematic Music Video Trilogy
• Tony Tacheny Drops ‘Prologue’ Music Video With Bold Artistic Vision
A reimagining of the Diana Ross classic, “Back To My Roots” celebrated Black beauty, self-expression, individuality, and the transformative power of dance culture. Its energetic house production, club-ready remixes, and empowering message resonated with audiences at a time when drag performers rarely crossed into mainstream music and television.
The newly restored 4K presentation arrives as renewed interest continues to grow around RuPaul’s early catalog. The original music video, directed by Randy Barbato, showcased extravagant drag-inspired hairstyles and featured legendary comedian LaWanda Page portraying Ms. Ernestine Charles, a tribute to RuPaul’s mother and the salon culture that inspired the song’s message.
Written by RuPaul, Jimmy Harry and Eric Kupper, the track blended classic disco influences with the booming house sound dominating dance floors in the early ’90s. Kupper also served as producer, helping craft the signature club energy that propelled the song to dance-chart success.
The release further highlights the enduring legacy of Tommy Boy Records, the legendary New York-based label founded in 1981 and known for launching or elevating artists such as Queen Latifah, Coolio, House of Pain and Naughty by Nature. Today, Tommy Boy Music operates under the Reservoir family of labels, alongside Chrysalis Records and Reservoir Recordings.
More than three decades after its debut, “Back To My Roots” remains a landmark recording in LGBTQ music history—an unapologetic celebration of identity, glamour, confidence, and freedom that helped pave the way for future generations of queer artists and performers.
Watch RuPaul – ‘Back To My Roots’ (Official 4K Music Video)
Production Credits
- Artist: RuPaul
- Songwriters: RuPaul, Jimmy Harry, Eric Kupper
- Producer: Eric Kupper
- Director: Randy Barbato
- Record Label: Tommy Boy Records / Tommy Boy Music
- Distribution: Reservoir Recordings
For the latest LGBTQ music releases, classic video restorations, K-Pop coverage, and entertainment industry news, stay connected with JRL CHARTS Gay Music News.
// Affiliate Disclosure: JRL CHARTS is a digital news and media platform. We do not host, stream, or sell adult content. Some outbound links may contain affiliate tracking to licensed studio-owned platforms (e.g., LatinBoyz, AEBN, BiLatin Men). These links lead to legal, age-gated distributors and are provided strictly for editorial and informational purposes only.
