Music was one of the biggest comforts during my queer discovery journey. Grappling with feelings of shame and isolation, I found hope in seeing queer artists fearlessly express themselves, taking up space in a society that wants them to stay hidden. Existing in such a visual culture, it’s so cathartic to see queer people engaging in contemporary art like music.
There’s been a growing acceptance of queer performance artists in recent decades, allowing celebrities like Lil Nas X to take the stage. That being said, it’s far from where it should be. Mounting anti-LGBTQ+ policies continue to threaten the queer community, making it increasingly necessary to stand with them.
Now that summer (and pride month!) is around the corner, it’s imperative that we put you onto a playlist sounding in the background of your warm summer memories. So read on to discover a list of LGBTQ+ artists you’ll be sure to bump all season.
Raveena
“Let your breath become like a flower
Present with the moment in time
Vibrating softly
Breathing in the fresh air
And rooting yourself down into the earth”
There’s truly no one like Raveena. The celestial R&B singer pulls from her Punjabi heritage and spiritual roots to create her own musical galaxy. Her most recent album, Asha’s Awakening, released last year, tells a tale through space princess Asha, taking listeners on a kaleidoscopic healing journey.
Must listen to:
“Let Your Breath Become a Flower”
The thirteen-minute guided meditation closes out her most recent album, inviting you to embark on a journey of shadow work and self-discovery. Raveena creates the opportunity to use her work as a safe space, taking a look into her creative playground mind and your own.
Add to your playlist:
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Tasha
“Let’s find some place we can go out and dance
You wear your hair down
I’ll wear my favorite pants”
Tenderness drives the songstress’ music, acting as a salve to soothe those who struggle to feel safe within themselves. A visual activist, Tasha has been a vocal force in the black gay community. The self-proclaimed abolitionist acknowledges the inherently political nature of her music and welcomes you to engage in the conversation.
Must listen to:
“Perfect Wife”
An ode to blissful love, this upbeat tune stands out among the somber heartbreak songs of her latest album, Tell Me What You Miss The Most. Between the sweet guitar solo and the jazzy chords, this is one of the best songs for summer.
Add to your playlist:
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Julia Zahra
“Lonely lovers hand in hand
I wanna make you understand
We could build a universe right here
I got nothing planned
Just take a minute and pretend”
As the youngest winner of The Voice of Holland, Zahra had an explosive start in the music industry. Born in the United States and raised in Holland after adoption, they ruminate over the life they could have lived.
Syd
“Take me where you wanna go
Doesn’t matter, near or far
If I’m drivin’ your fast car”
Whether leading vocals for funk collective The Internet or exploring solo projects, the multi-talented singer continues to solidify her place in the alt-R&B sphere. She has also been open about her queer identity since her days as a member of the rap collective Odd Future member.
Must listen to:
“Fast Car”
This song was made for summer. The steamy, lighthearted lyrics remind you of warm afternoons with your loved one. Syd’s real-life partner, Ariana Simone, stars in the music video alongside the singer, giving a nostalgic image of queer love.
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Marzz
“You got your demons
They don’t wanna leave me alone
Fighting to breathe in
I feel the pain when you’re gone”
The harmonic R&B artist gained popularity in past years by releasing their first EP, Love Letterz. As a child, Marzz struggled with their gender identity and sexual orientation.
They took their own experiences to pen a letter to their true self, using soft vocals and bright, punchy beats. Under the wing of legendary producer Timbaland, they’ve solidified themselves as one of the hottest new artists out there.
Must listen to:
“Cleopatra”
Made for sleepless nights, this song captures the tension and conflict accompanying turbulent relationships. The juxtaposition of slow R&B with fast-paced rap plays to the uncertainty of such complicated relationships in a very different way.
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Ivy Sole
“See, a fault is a beginning
and a fault is an end.
We could talk eroding patience
or give lips to the wind”
The reflective rapper takes their pain and weaves it into silk. Sole’s narratives reflect the lives of LGBTQ people growing up in an environment where they feel unsafe being themselves.
Identifying as non-binary, they felt pressure to conform to gender norms enforced by a religious upbringing. Alternating between spoken word and R&B, their music.
Must listen to:
“Nights Like This”
Brittany Howard
“Cause once you know, then you know
And you don’t wanna go
Back to wherever it is that you come from”
The famous artist gained international acclaim as the lead singer-songwriter of the popular rock group Alabama Shakes. Jaime’s debut album allows listeners to see her in her own light, looking into her soul as she experiences love and heartbreak.
Identifying as a queer woman, she admits to struggling to see herself as part of the LGBTQ community. However, she ultimately found strength in witnessing gay and transgender people live unapologetically, inspiring her to do the same.
Must listen to:
“Stay High”
This song is popular because it chronicles the familiar feeling of new love and the desire to hold onto it forever. Howard’s sweet, tender melodies will have you slow dancing on those leisurely summer evenings.
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Siena Liggins
“Hey you and you and you and you too
With the long hair and the new shoes
You look like you was raised on Blues Clues
And Flintstone vitamins yabba-dabba”
Siena makes the kind of music for having a good time when you’re dancing in the club with your girls. The songwriter/visual artist separates herself from the pop music industry by creating fun, punchy tunes, and catchy hooks.
She experiments with her aesthetic very differently, using maximalism with bold, colorful visuals and cartoons in her breakout visual album, Ms. Out Tonight.
Must Listen To:
“Girlfriend”
This scandalous single’s anthem is a staple in queer spaces, perfect for a hot girl summer. Why have one girl when you can have five? It’s catchy, unserious, and just a complete bop.
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Baby Tate
“I am healthy, I am wealthy
I am rich, I am that bitch”
Uplifting women is what Baby Tate does best. Many of her songs, such as “I am” and “Pedi,” are black women affirmations of self-love that can be recited at home or in the club.
A proponent for queer visibility, she publicly supports women, transgender artists, and anyone who has felt the oppression of white patriarchal society. Without knowing it, she became a role model for black women.
Must Listen To:
“I am”
For those struggling with confidence and mental health, this song is a positive reminder to love yourself unapologetically. In addition, the catchy chorus caught fire on social media, inspiring all kinds of creative outlets for young people to express themselves behind her lyrics.
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Arlo Parks
“I had a dream, we kissed and it was all amethyst
The underpart of your eyes was violet
You hung a cigarette between your purple lips”
All eyes were on Arlo as the singer burst onto the pop culture scene. They gained visibility early in their solo career with the hit single “Cola” and have been on a roll ever since. Their most recent album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, references the relatable stories of love, longing, and heartbreak.
Must Listen to:
“Eugene”
Are you really gay if you haven’t fallen for one of your straight friends.? This relatable song follows the relatable heartbreak of falling for a friend. The bedroom pop anthem houses soft vocals and cozy melodies with a little bit of heartache, creating a track that’s as soothingly romantic as it is heartbreaking.
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Dua Saleh
“When they get to swinging, I’ma spark my coal
Prime your poles, twist up your toes
Fly up the jet, make your neck on froze
Dice and roll, don’t take a toll”
Exploration is the driving force behind this artist’s expression. They engage in every medium with passion and creativity, between singing, poetry, and acting.
Their latest album Crossover referenced a period when they questioned their gender expression for the first time. This upbeat album is full of house music that inspires a carefree attitude amidst life’s uncertainties.
Must Listen to:
“Fitt”
Saleh’s cultural identity shines in this track. Their use of afro beats and industrial base mirrors their Sudanese heritage and American influences. Releasing at the tail end of the pandemic, the songwriter wanted to create music for people who haven’t had a good time in a long time.
Available for streaming on all platforms- Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music.
Read more of the songs you need to listen to:
21 Songs For Self Confidence BIPOC Women Will Love
15 Songs About Self-Worth That Will Empower You Like Never Before
27 Songs About Loving Yourself You’ll Love Adding to Your Fall Playlist
