You may have heard of Pride Month in June, but did youknow October is Queer History Month? In honor of this,I’ve compiled a list of five queer artists and their best songs. Trust me, you’ll want to add these tracks to your playlists as soon as humanly possible.
Isaac Dunbar (he/him) Named the “queer prince of pop,” Isaac Dunbar, age nineteen, is known for his chilling takes on twisted love and power. The singer-songwriter has released four albums since 2019 – his latest, “Banish The Banshee,” was released last May. His song “makeup drawer” tackles gender expression in a raw and somehow energetic way, while songs like “intimate moments” take a slower, more personal approach.
TOP SONGS: “Bleach,” “love, or lack thereof,” “makeup drawer.”
Ashnikko (she/they) If you’re looking for something upbeat, Ashnikko’s music is the way to go. She’s not shy about her experiences with women and takes a queer approach to the mainstream rap standard of gaudily describing intimacy. Despite the fact that their songs have been appropriated by straight women while trending on social media, Ashnikko has continued to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and make music that empowers women-loving women.
TOP SONGS: “Slumber Party,” “Tantrum,” “L8R Boi.”
Kehlani (she/they) Kehlani, who originally rose to fame as part of the group Poplyfe, magically fuses slow and sensual R&B with current rap trends. Their passionate lyrics give representation of sapphic relationships in an intimate, yet tasteful way. She touches on secret relationships and homophobia in her song “Undercover,” telling their lover bravely that “you know they don’t wanna see us together, but it don’t matter, no, ’cause I got you.”
TOP SONGS: “Honey,” “melt,” “CRZY.”
BB Bean (they/them) Indie-alternative artist BB Bean cleverly combines fluffy romance with catchy electronic instruments. While they have not yet released an entire album or been idolized by the media, they have gained popularity through the queer community. Recently, they hit one million streams on Spotify, and are sure to capture the hearts of indie-loving queer kids.
TOP SONGS: “Two Best Friends,” “The Neighbor (demo),” “Bianca Stratford.”
UMI (she/they) African-American and Japanese artist UMI is not shy about their queerness – “Pretty Girl hi!” from their 2020 EP expresses her admiration for a pretty girl. “Umi,” which means “ocean” in Japanese, is a perfect word to describe her craft— melodic and sweet, with emotional and calm tones. Just as you can rely on the ocean tide, you can rely on UMI to produce vibrant, touching music.
TOP SONGS: “Open Up,” “sorry,” “wish that i could.”
Supporting queer independent artists not only gives them recognition for their artwork but also encourages inclusion in a field dominated by straight, cisgender people. By listening to music by queer artists, you can expand your worldview and explore new aspects of your identity in an engaging, entertaining way.
Music brings people together every day, and these artists are good reminders that—no matter if you’re gay, trans, cisgender, or straight—you can love, you can be loved, and you can connect with others through creative expression.