Whether they’re producing the next song of the summer or re-writing the narratives of conventional love songs, there are so many openly queer artists to stream. This list of modern queer artists with have your playlists filled with talent, vibes and diversity.
1. Hayley Kiyoko
After her time on Disney Channel, Hayley Kiyoko turned to music as a new career path. For many of us, particularly queer woman, Kiyoko was the blueprint of coming to terms with our sexuality. Her music video for Girls Like Girls (2015) was, and still is, incredible representation for the queer community and is still talked about to this day amongst queer women.
Recommended Songs:
- Girls Like Girls (duh)
- chance
- Curious
2. MUNA
MUNA are an indie pop band made up of Katie, Josette and Naomi who have spent the last few years making a big name for themselves, supporting the likes of Harry Styles and Kacey Musgraves on tour. The band say they were brought together by queerness and felt that it was a journey they wanted to explore in their music.
Recommended Songs:
- Silk Chiffon
- I Know A Place
- One That Got Away
3. Fletcher
Fletcher is a breakthrough artist who has gained significant popularity over the last few years. In 2019, she released her first single ‘Undrunk‘ that blew up on social media and soared high in the charts. Since then, Fletcher has become an icon in the queer community for everything she represents in her music.
Recommended Songs:
- Bitter
- Undrunk
- girls girls girls
4. Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama is a rising artist in the UK who is gradually making a world-wide impact on the music industry. With an insanely diverse exploration of genres in her music, is there anything she can’t do? Her talent was recognise by the likes of Charli XCX and Elton John, who have supported the progression of her career. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Rina!
Recommended Songs:
- This Hell
- STFU!
- This Time Last Year
5. Greyson Chance
Greyson Chance has been making music for a long time. At only 13, a YouTube video of him covering Lady Gaga’s ‘Paparazzi’ went viral – making him an internet sensation at a young age. Chance continued to release music and really came into himself in 2019 when he released his incredible EP ‘Portraits’.
Recommended Songs:
- shut up
- Homerun Hitter
- west texas
6. Boygenius
Formed in 2018, Boygenius is a supergroup made up of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. The trio released their debut studio album just a few months ago and have truly rocked the queer community in a magnificent way. The group are committed to standing up to social issues and want their music to represent everything that they are as humans.
Recommended Songs:
- Emily I’m Sorry
- Not Strong Enough
- Cool About It
7. SZA
SZA, who came out as lesbian in 2022, has been making big waves in the R&B world over the last few years. From iconic songs such as Kill Bill to being the most-nominated female artist at the 2018 Grammy Awards, it seems she’s unstoppable. SZA is well on her way to becoming one of the most iconic queer artists of our generation.
Recommend Songs:
- Shirt
- Good Days
- Drew Barrymore
8. Troye Sivan
Troye, who originally started his career as a YouTuber, has made a big name for himself in the music world. Everyone who had a circa 2015 Tumblr era would know the significance of Troye’s EP Blue Neighbourhood. After coming out in 2015, his music became a powerful message for the LGBTQ+ community. Now Troye is making his way in the acting world – we can’t wait to see what’s next!
Recommended Songs:
- Strawberries & Cigarettes
- TALK ME DOWN
- Angel Baby
9. Clairo
Clairo has been sharing her music online since 2013 and blew up in 2017 with her song Pretty Girl. She has since released an EP and two incredible albums, featuring a plethora of songs that the internet has been loving. Claire came out as bisexual in 2018 on Twitter and advocates against the misconceptions behind bisexuality.
Recommended Songs:
- Sofia
- Flaming Hot Cheetos
- Bags
10. girl in red
This one’s for everyone who was on gay TikTok during lockdown. Her EPs were made from the comfort of her own bedroom and really made an impact on the queer community in 2020, with songs such as i wanna be your girlfriend and we fell in love in october blowing up on social media. The phrase ‘do you listen to girl in red?’ became the lowkey way of asking people if they are gay – it was such an iconic time for TikTok (take us back).
Recommended Songs:
- we fell in love in october
- bad idea!
- i wanna be your girlfriend
11. Kim Petras
Kim Petras has been making big moves in music for many years and really blew up over the last few years, especially after releasing Unholy with Sam Smith. Thanks to that song, Kim became the first openly transgender female to win a Grammy – this is major for the queer community! Her songs are often describe as fun and bubbly hyper pop and are a must-listen!
Recommended Songs:
- Can’t Do Better
- Future Starts Now
- Unholy
12. Halsey
Halsey, one of our favourite artists of all time, has been making music for almost a decade and really blew up thanks to Tumblr in 2014. Much like Troye Sivan’s music, their EP Room 93 made a huge impact on the queer community. Her career has continued to sky-rocket as they recently made moves in beauty and acting. Halsey is openly bisexual and announced that they were using she/they pronouns a few years ago.
Recommended Songs:
- Finally // beautiful stranger
- Bad At Love
- clementine
13. Kehlani
Kehlani is an R&B artist who has really fought and hustled to be where they are now. Back in 2011, Kehlani was in a pop group, Poplyfe, who finished fourth-place on that year’s season of America’s Got Talent. After the group fell apart, Kehlani spent years working on their music and struggling with homelessness. In 2016, their music began to gain traction and they soon became an icon in the R&B world.
Recommended Songs:
- Honey
- Toxic
- Can I
14. Dove Cameron
Dove Cameron is an ex-Disney star who recently made a big impact in the music industry with hit songs Boyfriend, hinting at her sexuality, and Breakfast. Cameron initially hinted at coming out via a livestream in 2020, then made a more definitive statement when she was featured on the cover of Gay Times in 2021.
Recommended Songs:
- Boyfriend
- Breakfast
- Bad Idea
15. Arlo Parks
Arlo Parks has made quite the name herself in the past few years after winning Best New Artist at the Brit Awards in 2021. Over the last few years, she has two EPs and two studio albums, all performing incredibly in the charts. Arlo came out as bisexual in 2019 and said she now feels more free to talk about experiences and feelings that she couldn’t before.
Recommended Songs:
- Blades
- Hope
- Pegasus (ft. Phoebe Bridgers)
We’ve put together a ‘Queer Artists’ Spotify playlist of all the recommended songs from this post, stream now!
Which queer artists will you be streaming? Let us know below!
Looking for some queer TV shows to binge? Check out this blog post from earlier this week!
with love,
becky
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