Trackz Signs Distribution Deal with Gaye Magazine & Snapchat for ‘Pop the Balloon or Find Queer Love’

Gayes! Things are about to get popping over on Snapchat!

We are elated to announce that Gaye Magazine is teaming up with multi-hyphenate online personality and host Trackz to bring his iconic viral series, “Pop the Balloon or Find Queer Love,” to Snapchat.

The viral dating show has been a hit among viewers, garnering millions of views on its official YouTube account. If you aren’t familiar with the name of the game, it focuses on helping queer folks find love.

​The show’s format follows a number of would-be love birds standing in a line holding balloons while one contestant introduces themselves. If someone isn’t interested, they pop their balloon and explain why. Those who keep their balloons remain in the running, and the dater ultimately chooses their match from the remaining contestants.

Following Gaye Magazine’s historic distribution deal with Snapchat Inc., the publication became the first Black LGBTQ+-owned media outlet to secure a distribution partnership with the platform. With that opportunity, Gaye Magazine has made it a mission to help amplify and create greater equity for emerging creators and shows across Snapchat’s growing LGBTQ+ audience.

Facilitated by Grammy Award-winning director Des Gray, Trackz’s hit show will now receive distribution in the same capacity as Gaye Magazine through a collaboration with Collab Culture TV, a sister channel on Snapchat. “Pop the Balloon or Find Queer Love” will now spearhead the channel’s programming lineup, allowing Trackz to further expand and monetize the series.

Fans will still be able to watch the show on YouTube and other social media platforms as well.

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Trackz shared when he was presented with the opportunity to meet with Gaye Magazine and Des Gray, Head of Content at Collab Culture TV,  he felt seen, honored, and respected for his talent.

“I cannot thank them enough, and I hope to one day have that type of impact on someone in the same position as I was,” he said.

When asked why the partnership felt right, Trackz reflected on the moment the opportunity first presented itself.

“I found myself sitting in front of K. Keith of Gaye Magazine at a business meeting.  He gave me my flowers and with no obligation, offered me an opportunity of having my platform presented to Des Gray. Similar to how the team inked their deal, he thought enough of my platform to have it possibly follow the same footsteps, which blew my mind.”

He continued, “Genuine support like that is a tad bit rare within our community, and to have that thought run through his head, having him follow up, arrange the meeting, and to see the fruition is the classic example of “helping a brother out” and angels being on assignment when you live in your purpose. It’s that type of teamwork that heightened my fuel and gave me the willingness to take this show to even higher heights. As a team now, I feel so supported and motivated by both these giants who believed in me to ink the deal.”

Trackz also emphasized the importance of amplifying queer voices through projects like “Pop the Balloon or Find Queer Love.”

​For Trackz, the show is a direct reflection of queer culture that just so happens to be wrapped up in an entertainment-based format. “I hope the entertainment aspect can be appreciated more, because we all could stand to laugh a little more. I also hope that along with that, the dialogue continues to happen, socially,” he said

He also addressed criticism surrounding moments from the show that some viewers have perceived as mean-spirited.

“There’s been a lot of talk, and honestly we should keep talking about the shady moments and the mean moments that sometimes occur, because we see them in other places outside of my show too,” he explained. “It all makes for healthy debate and hopefully leads to modified conduct, along with just good ol’ lighthearted content.”

Gaye Magazine’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief, K. Keith, expressed excitement about welcoming the series into the publication’s growing lineup of original programming.

“I’m beyond proud to welcome Trackz and his hit series Pop the Balloon or Find Queer Love into the Gaye family through this new distribution partnership,” he said.

“I recognize the cultural impact this series has had within our community, especially for Black gay audiences who rarely see dating shows that reflect our humor, our honesty, and our lived experiences in such an authentic way. At Gaye Magazine, our mission has always been to educate, entertain, and empower, and this show naturally hits all three of those marks. It’s bold, it’s culturally relevant, and most importantly, it centers Black queer voices in a way that feels fresh and unapologetic.”

K. Keith ended the statement saying, “It’s deeply important to both Gaye Magazine and me that we continue to fuel and amplify the work of Black queer creatives. Trackz has built something special, and we’re excited to help elevate this project and expand its reach.”

​Des Gray, Head of Content of Collab Culture TV, said she was excited to help facilitate the partnership between the series, Gaye Magazine, and Snapchat in attempts for it to reach a broader audience.

“Collab Culture TV was created to give bold, authentic creators a platform to share their stories and reflect real culture. Black queer voices have always played a powerful role in shaping entertainment and digital media, and it’s important that those voices are seen, celebrated, and leading the narrative,” she said.

Watch “Pop the Balloon or Find Queer Love” now on Snapchat via the Discover feed, or subscribe to Collab Culture TV to catch the latest episodes.