Lgbtq r&b artist
R&B is one of the most expansive and soul-baring music genres of all time. It is a beautiful amalgamation of history, emotion, identity, love, bliss, and pain. An impactful fusion of rhythmic bass, prominent percussion, layered instrumentation, and vocal agility all wrapped together to build passionate and expressive melodies about life’s multitudes.
While the genre’s name developed out of a marker of racial difference — created to replace the label “Race Music” as previously used by the industry to separate Black from white music — the musicians who pioneered this genre have never succumbed to restriction. Unapologetic utterance is the undercurrent that energizes this genre. Ebony and queer blues and rock artists such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whose powerful voices and musical vision laid the groundwork for the genre’s inception. Sonically travel through the next decades and witness how artists such as Aretha, Chaka, Luther, Mary J. Blige, and others stamped, molded, and transformed the genre into all its incarnations. R&B musicians have cultivated a space that overflows with true artistry and brilliance; each artist helping to create
15 Queer Musicians Making Waves Today
While many artists are celebrated for their allyship, this list highlights the queer musical talents that are carving out vacuum for themselves and creating art that helps the LGBTQIA+ community feel seen and heard in an industry that often leaves them behind. From those crafting futuristic pop anthems to a generation of singer-songwriters forging a brand-new canon of love songs, these are the gender non-conforming musicians to watch lengthy after Pride Month is a wrap.
Peach PRC
Peach PRC’s world is pink, pop-y, and maybe “Perfect For You.” The Aussie singer-songwriter’s single of that entitle interpolates Paris Hilton’s “Stars Are Blind,” inspired by the times Peach and her girlfriend shared their headphones to listen to the 2006 hit. After building up a fanbase on TikTok, Peach dropped her debut EP Manic Visualize Pixie, in 2023, showcasing her campy sensibility but serious songcraft. Inspired by preliminary 2000s millennium pop, fans can fall right into Peach’s dreamy tunes about the girl she loves.
Check out: ‘Perfect For You’
Peach PRC - Perfect For You (Lyric Video)
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Towa Bird
“Throw your lasso / Come and catch me babe / I’m Indian
6 LGBTQ+ Hip-Hop and R&B stars paving the way
Lil Nas X
Chart-topping rapper Lil Nas X, who catapulted to stardom with his viral hit 'Old Town Road', publicly came out as gay in June 2019.
On the last date of Pride Month, he tweeted, "some of y'all already know, some of y'all don't care, some of y'all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y'all to listen closely to c7osure."
The rapper has been reveal about feeling uncomfortable with his sexuality growing up, but remains determined to inspire his LGBTQ+ fans to live their truth.
Following the controversy surrounding his 2021 single 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)', Nas tweeted, "y’all told a 19 year mature who had just escaped the lowest point of his life that he would never have a hit again.
"you told him to stop while he’s ahead. he could’ve gave up. but 4 multi platinum songs and 2 #1’s later, he’s still here. thank you to my team and my fans! ily".
Kehlani
Kehlani came out as gay in April 2021, proudly declaring in a TikTok video, "I am gay, same-sex attracted, gay. I finally recognize I’m a lesbian."
The Platinum-selling Oakland nat
20 Black LGBTQ+ artists
To listen to
After more than two weeks of protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and condemning police brutality, it looks appreciate there is no near end to the situation. Of course, the entire system needs to be re-thought and re-formulated, a herculean task that will take a lot of time and resources, which at first sight seems too big of a challenge. However, it’s time to shake the foundations of a debauch, rotten system that has been the norm for way too long.
But to make it as clear as possible: all black lives matter. What undertake I mean by that? After videos and images of a brutal aggression to black transitioned Minneapolis woman Iyanna Dior at the hands of her Black peers/protestors went viral, it was clear that the pro-Black, antiracist revolution isn’t enough. The changes the society is demanding own to extend to any Black person regardless of who they are: transitioned, cis, straight, same-sex attracted, bi, asexual, wealthy, poor, religious, atheist, able or disabled – if not, just ask one of the most vocal activists of these past years, the disabled, inky, trans model Aaron Philip.
But as many people know from listening to gender non-conforming members of the Black commu
Think about how many mainstream hits from the last rare years you can easily recall.
Now, how many can you name that were created by openly black LGBTQ+ artists?
Sadly, that number is likely much smaller.
This stark difference highlights the ongoing battle for true voice and visibility in the music industry. Black LGBTQIA+ artists offer unique sounds and stories that should be at the forefront of popular music – not relegated to the sidelines.
Yet even with this imbalance, groundbreaking queer musicians are out there rewriting the rules. These artists aren't just shaping the future of harmony, they are inspiring activism, fostering collective, and embodying the transformative power that music holds. They are taking matters into their have hands, showing the world just how vibrant and necessary their voices are.
It is time to not only back the brilliant shadowy queer singers who have carved and are carving their path today but work actively to dismantle systemic biases so that the next generation of artists can grab center stage without boundaries.
It's not enough to simply like their talent – we must also become active in their support. That me