Pride may only come once in a year, but these queer artists will surely spice up your playlists all year round.
Queerness has always pulsed bravely at the heart of modern music. Even when the spotlight didn’t always shine their way, LGBTQ+ musicians flamboyantly created spaces for expression, rebellion, and visibility through sound.
Over the past decades, the world witnessed some of the most brilliant minds in music come from the LGBTQ+ community. There’s Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, and Sylvester, to name a few. Today, we hear the echoes of their legacy from punk to electropop, R&B, and the flashy high-concept flair of many idol groups.
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Today’s generation of queer artists are more than ready to keep the show going. So before Pride month wraps up, here are LGBTQ+ artists you should be listening to, and not just this June, but all year round.
Queen Bee
Queen Bee is a Japanese rock band that’s classified under “fashion punk.” Their vocalist and songwriter, Avu-chan, is non-binary and genderfluid, using she/her and they/them pronouns. Avu-chan also self-duets which can be heard in their song Rejuvenation. Their song HALF also talks about Avu’s struggles growing up as a mixed-race kid in Japan.
If you’ve followed anime in recent years, you’ve probably already heard some of their songs, like Mephisto from Oshi No Ko, and Violence from Chainsaw Man.
Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama is a Japanese and British singer-songwriter, model, and actress. She came out as bisexual in her song Cherry but now identifies as a pansexual woman.
Her album “SAWAYAMA” has songs that range from topics like generational trauma and immigrant struggles, to satirical criticisms of over-consumerism and racial micro aggressions. She also blends genres that you’d never expect together, like the Britney-style pop chorus of her song XS being sprinkled with bursts of distorted metal guitar riffs.
But if you want a relatively tame entry point to her discography, her song Chosen Family with Elton John—a ballad about found families—is a great start.
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King Princess
Mikaela Mullaney Straus is an American singer-songwriter known by her stage name “King Princess.” She is lesbian and genderfluid, and is fine with any pronouns.
King Princess first made noise in 2018 with her song 1950, whose lyrics were a tribute to a sapphic romance novel from the 50s, and were tweeted by Harry Styles. Her music blends indie-pop and bedroom pop elements, and her husky vocals tell stories of heartbreak, queerness, and self-acceptance.
Recently, she also gained recognition from her song Fantastic for Arcane season 2, which was the main song for the show’s lesbian couple, Vi and Caitlyn.
Yaelokre
In Yaelokre’s world, there’s no such thing as gender. Filipino‑Icelandic singer‑songwriter and multimedia artist Keath Ósk (who uses they/it pronouns) created the enchanting project Yaelokre, a folk‑storytelling universe set in the mythical realm of Meadowlark.
Yaelokre first went viral on TikTok with the song Harpy Hare, which is a haunting yet soothing song inspired by childhood fables. Their overall sound is anchored in ethereal chanting and folk-inspired instrumentation.
But Yaelokre’s appeal goes beyond music. They put out illustrations with immersive lore and mysterious (and genderless) characters to accompany their music, inviting their fans to craft their own theories and interpretations.
Paul Pablo
Paul Pablo proudly weaves his identity as a gay man into every part of his artistry. From his lyrics, his self-directed music videos, to the way he carries himself onstage.
Pablo brings forward queer stories often left in the shadows of mainstream OPM: such as the struggles of growing up gay in a religious environment in Atin Ang Gabi. His music feels like a confession on the dance floor. You even get heartfelt “hugot” lyrics accompanied by vibrant, electro-pop synths.
Hailing from Davao, Pablo also champions the visibility of VisMin (Visayas-Mindanao) music. In fact, he sings in Bisaya in one of his songs, Isulti Lang.
Pride may only come once in a year, but these queer artists will surely spice up your playlists all year round. From heartbreak to healing, identity, or just dancing through the mess of it all, these voices hit different because they come from lived truths.
