Queer Pop Starter Pack

7 Queer Artists You Need to Know

By: Kat Smith

1. Haley Kiyoko

Also known as “Lesbian Jesus,” Hayley Kiyoko is one of the best queer icons of our time. Her song “Sleepover” perfectly encompasses what it feels like to have a straight-girl crush. It has a catchy chorus line, and her lyrics “I’m just feelin’ low, feelin’ low” catches the the bittersweet feeling of unrequited love. Even if your crush is too straight to notice you, my girl Hayley’s got your back. Hayley’s got you covered for the sad, the ecstatic, and the defiant. Check out her songs “Feelings,” “Girls Like Girls,” and “Curious.” Bonus points if you check out her “steal yo’ girl” songs like “He’ll Never Love You Like Me.”

2. Janelle Monae

If you haven’t already heard of Janelle Monae, get out. Get out now. And don’t talk to me until you have. Not really. But kind of. Her song “Tightrope” has been played across various commercials and radio stations, so it’s likely that at the VERY LEAST even the most musically unknowledgeable has heard it. Her album Dirty Computer is a political and artistic masterpiece. Songs like “PYNK” bash the patriarchy while also being a banner for queer and black rights. The video for “Make Me Feel” explores Janelle’s pansexuality in her own vibrant and colorful way that even Prince would be jealous of. In short, Janelle is fantastic. Also see “Django Jane,” “Queen,” and “Crazy, Classic, Life.”

3. Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan is not only an incredible musician, but also a pretty damn funny YouTuber. He has an amazing style in his music videos, which challenge ideas of gender stereotypes. His song “Bloom” features alternating visions of him in rouge and flowy, flowery clothing and then shirtless and flexing his (not insubstantial) muscles at the camera. His video trilogy “Blue Neighborhood” is a beautiful representation of growing up gay in an environment that isn’t supportive or safe, and shows the real harm that can cause. I’m not gonna lie, this video series hurts. And it doesn’t exactly have a happy ending. His song “Wild” covers the rush of finding that first love that you can’t help falling for. “Fools” talks about self-acceptance and denial. And “Talk Me Down” deals with the darker themes of loss, grief, and suicide. Check out his YouTube Channel and his “Blue Neighborhood” album.

4. Tish Hyman

Tish Hyman should be far more well-known than she is currently. She has an amazing R&B/rap style and voice, and quite a few of her songs focus on her roots. Her song “Lesbehonest” talks about her past and her struggles in foster care, then out on the streets where she became involved with gangs and drugs. Her lyrics are heartfelt and painful and truthful. She says in her song “even if nobody hear me, imma tell my story,” and her story is worth listening to. Another song that follows this theme of singing her truth is an ode to New York’s struggling lower-class, called “Subway Art.” The song speaks for itself with its first lines: “There is life, in New York, underground, in the coldest hearts. Lonely people are subway art.” Check out her albums Dedicated to and The Way I Am.

5. Demi Lovato

Okay, okay, I know basically everyone knows Demi Lovato. But she’s worth the mention anyway. Since her comeback, Demi has been a bastion for female empowerment and queer rights. Her song “Confident” (yes, from way back when) is all about being comfortable with being a woman who is secure with who she is publicly, socially, and sexually. It’s a great song to jam to, and to give yourself an extra boost. And as for the queer community, basically all of us queer women DIED over her concert performance of “Lonely,” in which Kehlani made a steamy appearance and the two of them took over the show. If you haven’t seen it, you need to. Other songs to check out include “Heart Attack,” “Sober,” and “Tell Me You Love Me.”

6. Sam Smith

Sam Smith is also a popular artist, but not everyone knows that they came out earlier this year as gender non-binary. Sam has a long history of singing dreamy love songs like “Stay With Me” and “I’m Not the Only One.” Their new single “Dancing With a Stranger” matches these warm heart-struck vibes, with this one being about struggling to get over someone who broke your heart. It’s a great song, and perfect to listen to when you are feeling down. Also check out “Drowning Shadows,” “Lay Me Down,” and “Too Good At Goodbyes.”

7. Brendon Urie

Lead singer of Panic! At the Disco, Brendon Urie (basically the last member of the original band) is a blast from the past. I remember rocking out to “I Write Sins, Not Tragedies” in middle school (#classic) and “The Ballad of Mona Lisa.” He has a lot of great new songs too, like “Nicotine,” “Death of a Bachelor,” and “Emperor’s New Clothes,” all of which are catchy and feature Brendon’s crazy vocal range. He also released his own version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” a few years ago that definitely did justice to the original. If you’ve never heard of him, or if you’ve only ever listened to his newer songs, try out “Miss Jackson,” “Lying is the Most Fun,” and “Nine in the Afternoon.”