October is LGBTQIA+ history month, so in honor of it, I thought I would share some of my favorite queer musicians and recommend a song to give a listen to!
Hayley Kiyoko
Lovingly called âLesbian Jesusâ by her fans, this pop artist has been on the scene for many years. If you grew up watching Disney Channel and Cartoon Network, you might recognize her from Wizards of Waverly Place, Lemonade Mouth, and some Scooby-Doo movies. Kiyoko has a very electro-pop/dance-pop sound and a lovely, deeper voice, which is so refreshing to hear in mainstream pop music. My favorite song by her is âDemonsâ, but Iâd definitely recommend giving âGirls Like Girlsâ a listen.
Kehlani
Kehlani is an R&B artist with a really fantastic and versatile skill set. They first popped into the public eye when they first competed on Americaâs Got Talent with their band, Poplyfe. Since then, theyâve received Grammy nominations and a Billboard Women in Music award. My absolute favorite song by Kehlani is âHoneyâ, but Iâd also recommend listening to âCan Iâ.
Clairo
Clairo is an American Lo-Fi singer-songwriter who went viral with her hit song âPretty Girlâ on YouTube. She has a very sweet voice and her music is very melodic and chill. You might also recognize her song âHello?â featuring Rejjie Snow, which went viral on TikTok in 2019. Besides those two songs, Iâd recommend âFlaming Hot Cheetosâ and âSofiaâ.
Olly Alexander/Years & Years
Years & Years started out as an electro-pop band that has since turned into a solo project for Olly Alexander, who is the original lead singer of Years & Years. Debuting in 2015, Years & Years had the fastest-selling debut album of the year from a UK-signed band. My favorite song is âSanctifyâ, but I would also highly recommend âTake Shelterâ, âPalo Santoâ, and âWorshipâ.
Freddie Mercury/Queen
Freddie Mercury is an absolute icon. Queen is such a classic band, and their music is equally iconic, if not more iconic. Freddie Mercury was and is so well known for his incredible vocals, incredible stage presence, and his gifts as a performer. Queen has such a huge discography and it is so hard to pick just one favorite song, but my favorite Queen song has to be âThese Are the Days of Our Livesâ. There are so many iconic and well-known Queen songs, like âBohemian Rhapsodyâ, âWe Are The Championsâ, and âAnother One Bites The Dustâ, that I am sure most everyone has heard of, so I would definitely recommend listening to âGood Old Fashioned Lover Boyâ, âKiller Queenâ, âSomebody to Loveâ, and âLove Of My Lifeâ.
Happy LGBTQIA+ History Month!