My Fave Black LGBTQ+ Artists

     When I first agreed to run a blog on our website, I had all of these ideas for posts and intended to write a new one every week...but obviously I really let things fall through the cracks and didn’t write a new post for weeks. I was even planning on posting some fun things starting at the beginning of June to celebrate Pride, but then the world erupted in outrage over the death of George Floyd and other Black folks at the hands of the police. After that, my time and energy was expended elsewhere, as I spent hours online keeping up with protests and other #BlackLivesMatter news, and even more hours afterwards recovering mentally, emotionally, and physically. Part of that recovery has been listening to music that brings me joy. 
     Just a few days ago, as I listened to one of my favorite playlists, I realized how much of my current music taste is influenced and created by amazing Black musical artists, especially Black womxn*, some of whom I already knew identified as LGBTQ+. It was those thoughts that lead me to writing this post.
     So, in celebration of Pride and because Black lives, music, and art matter, here is a list of some of my favorite Black LGBTQ+ musical artists right now, plus a tiny blurb from their Spotify profile about each artist, and songs that I recommend.

*by replacing the “a/e” in “woman/women” with an “x” I am intentionally being inclusive of womxn of color, trans womxn, non-binary/agender/gender-queer folks who identify with the term, and any other person who would identify as womxn.

​(E)=Explicit Content

​
Jamila Woods
Black queer singer, songwriter, poet, and activist. 
"Tempering sharp and powerful lyrics with a sweetly melodic voice, Jamila Woods is an activist, award-winning poet, and singer/songwriter whose inspirations include Gwendolyn Brooks and Toni Morrison, as well as Erykah Badu and Kendrick Lamar."
​Recommended songs: pretty much any of her songs, especially from the album HEAVN

---

​Janelle Monáe
Black non-binary pansexual singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress. 
"Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and actor Janelle Monáe...developed into one of the most dynamic artists of her time, fusing soul, funk, hip-hop, and new wave--among other genres--with a spirited approach that seemed to treat entertainment and art as indivisible."
​Recommended songs: Make Me Feel (E), Pynk (E), I Got the Juice (E)

---

​Princess Nokia
Afro-Indigenous gender-nonconforming rapper, singer, and actress. 
"The New York-born Puerto Rican MC, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, style icon, actress, and activist amplifies her own voice across music, fashion, film and society...Quietly rising up as a voice the game needs, Princess Nokia continues to rap for all the right reasons."
​Recommended songs: Sugar Honey Iced Tea (E), Green Eggs & Ham (E), Balenciaga (E), Mine (E)

---

​Nitty Scott, MC
Afro-latina and Indigenous queer bisexual singer, rapper, and poet. 
"Nitty Scott is an Afro-Latina recording artist and poet via New York City...Whether she's release her music solely independent, touring internationally or engaged in community outreach, Nitty's work continues to evolve and expand as a promising lyricist, performer, and social justice advocate."
​Recommended songs: the entire Creature! album, but specifically Mango Nectar (E), La Diaspora (E), Pelo

---

Ivy Sole
Black queer rapper and singer.
"Ivy Sole is a rapper-singer from Charlotte, NC living in the one & only Philadelphia, PA. She loves jazz chords in trap and indie samples in boom bap."
​Recommended songs: Dream Girl, Rollercoaster, All Mine, How High

---

​

​Shea Diamond
​Black trans woman singer, songwriter, and trans rights activist.
"Singer/Songwriter, Human rights activist...She wrote LGBTQ anthems such as I Am Her, American Pie, and I Am America."
Recommended songs: American Pie, Don’t shoot

---

Angel Haze
Black and Cherokee agender pansexual rapper and singer. 
​"Angel Haze is a poetry-turned-rap act based out of New York...the artist uses deep knowledge of self to channel various personality aspects, being vulnerable and emotional one minute and suddenly brash and aggressive the next."
​Recommended songs: Battle Cry, A Tribe Called Red, Werkin Girls (E)

---

Honorable Mention aka Fave Black LGBTQ+ Ally artist

Ari Lennox
Black cis-woman LGBTQ+ ally, singer and songwriter
​"A forthright lyricist and understated vocalist who as singled out the likes of Minnie Riperton and Mya as two of her many inspirations..."
Recommended songs: Shea Butter Baby (E), Whipped Cream, New Apartment (E), Night Drive

---