Happy LGBTQ+ History Month guys!
To celebrate, we’ve been thinking about who our favourite artists in the community are, and compiled a list for you! These inspiring musicians will definitely be making their way onto your playlists.
Speaking of playlists, we’ve thrown together one of our own on Spotify, ‘Celebrating LGBTQ+ Musicians’ . Link here to listen along while you read!
Soul and R&B singer-songwriter Shea Diamond has been on loop for us recently!
Diamond is a transgender rights activist, and was signed after getting noticed for singing her song ‘I Am Her’ a-cappella at a Trans Lives Matter rally (we love this track! Listen here). Her powerful vocals, moving and uplifting lyrics really inspired us.
Identifying as a gender nonconforming man, you may recognise actor and musician Alex Newell from his roles in Glee and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Newell’s musical career is just as impressive, creating bubbly dance floor fillers that will get even the most reluctant dancer’s foot tapping.
‘Alex Newell is so inspiring and just radiates confidence!’ - Hollr reader.
From putting out homemade videos of her music on Youtube to headlining some of the world’s largest festivals, non-binary producer and musician Tash Sultana certainly has come far. Talented in playing a massive array of instruments and armed with a voice that you can’t help but fall in love with, Tash’s music has been on the radar of many.
If you enjoy Tash’s music, keep an eye out for their new album released soon!
With achingly honest lyrics and music that would fit perfectly into your fave coming-of-age film, pop artist Emily Burns expresses through her songs the beauty and struggles of same-sex love. From her ‘dance around your bedroom’ pop songs to heartbreaking ballads like ‘Is It Just Me’, we love it!
One third of pop trio Years & Years, Olly Alexander is making headlines recently for his role in the critically acclaimed series It’s a Sin - depicting life for the LGBTQ+ in the 80s. Alexander has always been open about his own struggles with sexuality and mental health and encouraged the discussion. He has used his platform to promote HIV screening and ideas about safer sex, as well as anti-LGBT bullying initiatives. Years & Years have been creating head bopping tracks for, well, years and years, and hearing such an inspiring voice in the music has us cranking the speakers up that bit further,
‘He’s such a role model for young LGBTQIA+ people’ - Hollr reader
GIRLI’s explosive tracks - addressing sexuality, mental health and feminism - have been making waves, and we can see why. Openly pansexual, GIRLI has been using her music to shake up social order and talk about issues often neglected in the music industry. Her powerful vocals and rapping over gritty instrumentals really make an impact; we’ve had Friday Night Big Screen on repeat.