13 Queer Artists You Might Not Know About
We all know that Troye Sivan is gay and Miley Cyrus is pansexual, but there are a number of lesser known musicians that are openly queer. On this list we've included some high-profile queer musicians who have recently come out, like Janelle Monae, but also some lesser known queer artists that are currently breaking their way into the music industry.
1. Jason Mraz
We wanted to put Jason Mraz first simply because he came out as bisexual earlier this week. He told Billboard in an interview, "I've had experiences with men, even while I was dating the woman who became my wife. It was like, 'Wow, does that mean I am gay?'" The 41 year-old singer continued, "And my wife laid it out for me. She calls it 'two spirit,' which is what the Native Americans call someone who can love both man and woman. I really like that."
2. Kat Cunning
The New York Times previously described Kat Cunning as having an "exquisite, indie-siren quality." There's no question the queer artist has an enchanting voice that's equal parts ethereal and sexual. OUT recently caught up with Kat to discuss her new single "Stay On The Line" -- a sultry song about phone sex between two lovers.
3. Kim Petras
The 25 year-old singer-songwriter gained national coverage for undergoing gender transition surgery at an early age. She recently came out with a single, "Can't Do Better."
4. Le1f
Khalif Diouf, known by his stage name Le1f, is an openly gay rapper hailing from New York. His debut studio album, Riot Boi, tackled issues of sexual identity, black racial justice, and transgender rights.
5. Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monae nearly broke the Internet when she came out to Rolling Stone in April. "Being a queer black woman in America," she says, taking a breath as she comes out, "someone who has been in relationships with both men and women - I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker." That same month Monae released her album, Dirty Computer, which is truly a masterpiece.
6. Hayley Kiyoko
The openly gay singer is also an actor. She released her first studio album, Expectations, earlier this year, and is currently on tour with Panic! at the Disco.
7. Mykki Blanco
New York native and genderqueer rapper Mykki Blanco is one of the best concerts we've seen live. They attack the stage with their dark, aggressive, and inspired lyrics. Their newest studio album, Mykki, came out in 2016.
8. Pabllo Vittar
With over seven million followers on Instagram, Pabllo Vittar is the most followed drag queen in the entire world. The Brazilian icon turned singer-songwriter reached the top of Brazil's pop charts in 2017 twice with "K.O." and "Corpo Sensual."
9. Big Freedia
The New Orleans-native is at the forefront of queer hip hop and bounce music. You may recognize their voice from the beginning of Beyonce's "Formation" video. They were the bitch who came to slay.
10. Angel Haze
Bisexual rapper Angel Haze came out as agender in February of 2015, stating on Twitter that they prefer gender neutral pronouns. Their second studio album, Back to the Woods, was released in 2015.
11. Anohni
With the voice of a tortured angel, Anohni doesn't sing like anyone you've ever heard. Her first album with Antony and the Johnsons was released in 2000; since then she's remained on the music scene with her unique tone and eccentricities. As she said in an interview with Out, "I'm an artist, I'm an animist. I'm transgendered. I'm very non-Christian. I'm mammal identified. Part of the mammal world."
12. Dev Hynes (Blood Orange)
Called the "most queer-friendly non-queer album of 2013" Blood Orange's Cupid Deluxe blends a myriad of genres leaving an album that's both upbeat but simultaneously raw. Despite being on the 2014 cover of Out, Dev Hynes, singer of Blood Orange, neither identifies as straight nor gay and is tired of others dissecting his sexuality.
13. Steve Grand
Out recently profiled Steve, who skyrocketed into the music industry after releasing his heartbreaking video for All-American Boy. In the interview the gay heartthrob discussed his sobriety, using music as therapy, and his newest studio album, Not the End of Me.
