LGBTQ+ artists have often been the leaders of the musical forefront and, in recent years, have seen an exponential increase in openly queer singers and songwriters. The Niner Times has compiled a list of new and familiar artists to look out for during Pride Month.
1. Allison Russell
Allison Russell is a Canadian singer-songwriter and activist based out of Montreal. A pop, rock and folk singer, Russell was a member of musical groups Po’ Girl, Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters. Russell’s solo album, “Outside Child,” features songs such as “Persephone” and “The Runner.” Russell’s second album, “The Returner,” was nominated for seven Grammy awards, with “Eve Was Black” winning Best American Roots Performance in 2024. Russell identifies as queer and is a vocal advocate for the rights of queer, Black and POC communities and artists.
2. Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan is an American singer-songwriter. Before Roan’s debut album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” Roan released an EP titled “School Nights.” She later released “Pink Pony Club,” followed by “California,” “Love Me Anyway” and “Casual.” Roan’s growth in popularity followed the release of “Good Luck, Babe!” a song whose lyrics revolve around compulsory heterosexuality. Roan identifies as a lesbian and has often spoken about the influence that drag queens have had on her performances.
3. Towa Bird
Towa Bird is an English-Filipino singer and songwriter who gained popularity by posting guitar covers and solos over songs by artists such as WILLOW and Tame Impala. Bird’s debut album, American Hero, will be released on June 28, 2024. She previously released her EP, “Live From Terminal 5,” which featured live performances of Bird’s singles, including “B.I.L.L.S.,” “Wild Heart” and “Drain Me.” Bird writes about topics such as the effects of capitalism, especially on the younger generation, queer identities and romance.
4. Emilee Petersmark
Emilee Petersmark is one of two lead singers in the Michigan-based folk band The Crane Wives. Petersmark and her band foster an environment of “queer joy” for their fans, exploring identities through their music. They began playing in a Chinese restaurant where Petersmark worked in 2010. The Crane Wives’ discography has many songs exploring LGBTQ+ themes, such as “Nobody” and “The Garden,” which explore religious guilt surrounding sexuality and sin. They gained popularity in 2023 through TikTok, with one of their most popular songs being “The Moon Will Sing.”
5. Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain is the creation of Hayden Horner, a singer-songwriter who uses the character to explore Southern Gothic themes in her music. Cain herself is transgender, and she explores themes relevant to the experience of many transgender people, such as struggles with religion and conservative upbringing in songs like “American Teenager” and “Sun Bleached Flies.” Her main goal is to help people understand the complexities of the South, especially living as a transgender person there. Cain’s first full-length album, “Preacher’s Daughter,” was released in 2023.
6. Kehlani
Kehlani is an American singer-songwriter. She has since collaborated with artists such as Cardi B, Justin Bieber, Charlie Puth and Teyana Taylor. Her second album, “It Was Good Until It Wasn’t,” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 following its release in 2020. In 2024, she released two singles, “After Hours” and “Next 2 U,” from her fourth album, “Crash,” which is set to release in June 2024. Some of her other popular songs include “Nights Like This,” “Gangsta” and “Can I.” Kehlani identifies as both a lesbian and non-binary, using she/they pronouns.
7. Peach PRC
Peach PRC is an Australian singer-songwriter. Otherwise known as Shaylee Curnow, she rose to fame through TikTok. Her music is heavily rooted in the pop genre and discusses her experience as a queer woman. Peach began writing songs in her teens, but her music became widespread when she released the song “God Is a Freak,” which mocks religious extremism and hypocrisy. Peach uses TikTok and other social media websites to enhance and promote her brand, posting song snippets and vlogs on YouTube. Other popular songs include: “Dear Inner Child,” “Heavy” and “Blondes,” which discusses having a crush on your best friend through a lesbian lens.
8. Reneé Rapp
Reneé Rapp is a Charlotte-born singer-songwriter. She started in musical theatre and acting and starred in the film adaption of “Mean Girls: The Musical” (2024), for which she released “Not My Fault,” featuring Megan Thee Stallion. She released a single, “Tattoos,” followed by an EP, “Everything to Everyone.” Her songs explore her journey with her sexuality, such as “Pretty Girls,” from Rapp’s first full-length album, “Snow Angel.” Rapp identifies as a lesbian. Some of her most popular songs include “Too Well,” “Tummy Hurts” and “Poison Poison.”
9. Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama is a Japanese-British singer, actress and model. In 2017, Sawayama released her EP, “Rina,” and over the next several years, she released singles, including “Valentine” and “Cherry.” Her debut album, “Sawayama,” features songs such as “STFU!” and “XS.” Her second studio album, “Hold the Girl,” was released in 2021. Sawayama has cited Madonna and Lady Gaga as some of her artistic influences. She identifies as pansexual and is an advocate for LGBTQ+ and transgender rights.
10. Victoria Monét
Victoria Monét is an American R&B singer and songwriter. She released two EP albums, “Nightmares and Lullabies: Act 1” and “Nightmares and Lullabies: Act 2” and has collaborated with Ariana Grande on songs such as “Monopoly,” “7 Rings” and “thank u, next.” Monet’s debut album, “JAGUAR,” was released in several parts. “JAGUAR” included songs such as “Touch Me,” which Monet later re-recorded as a feature with singer Kehlani. Monet released “JAGUAR II.” In 2024, Monet won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards. She identifies as bisexual.
