7 Great LGBTQ+ Hip Hop/Rap Artists
April 14, 2023The 2010s-2020s have seen a magnificent rise in LGBTQ+ rappers and hip hop artists dominating the charts. From up-and-coming artists who deserve more praise, to some of the biggest names in music right now, here are seven LGBTQ+ hip hop and rap artists who need to make their way onto your playlists!
Kehlani
Although Kehlani has been releasing music for nearly a decade now, it’s only in recent years that they’re finally getting the appreciation she deserves. With hits like Nights Like This (ft. Ty Dolla $ign) and the immense popularity of her Suicide Squad track Gangsta in her catalogue, this American singer, songwriter and dancer has made a name for herself in the hip hop and R&B game.
Kehlani recently announced that they identify as a lesbian and go by she/they pronouns with a preference for ‘they’. The singer has also expressed the importance of including she/her pronouns in their lyrics. A particular highlight in their music catalogue is their collaboration with Zedd on Good Thing, an anthem about living a confident single life and being comfortable in your own skin.
Lil Nas X
In the last couple years alone, Lil Nas X has taken the hip hop, rap and pop world by storm. He currently holds the title of longest number-one single in chart history with his record-smashing hit Old Town Road, and since then has made groundbreaking achievements in music and social history.
After publicly coming out as gay via Twitter, Lil Nas X made it perfectly clear that he would not shy away from referencing his sexuality and identity in his music. The lead singles from his debut record, Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and Industry Baby (featuring Jack Harlow) caused immense controversy upon its release due to the provocative nature of both the lyrical and video content. Admirably, the rapper used this controversy to fuel the marketing for his record, which topped the charts across the world. To this day, Lil Nas X is changing the game for young queer hip hop fans, providing a form of confident and unabashed representation that has been long overdue.
Tyler the Creator
Starting as an online artist with self-released mixtapes and a small following, it’s remarkable to think how far Tyler the Creator has come in the past decade. With one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time IGOR under his belt, the rapper has been described as a major influence on modern hip hop with his innovative sound and unique production.
Various songs on IGOR and his other immensely popular record Flower Boy contain lyrics alluding to the artist’s sexuality. Many fans interpret a few album tracks to reference falling in love with a closeted bisexual man, with other tracks dealing with topics of self-identity and complex emotions.
Mykki Blanco
Perhaps the most underrated entry on this list, Mykki Blanco is a rising star who has collaborated with some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Kanye West and Blood Orange. They are perhaps most famous for their track Wish You Would (featuring Princess Nokia) but have also featured on records with the likes of Charli XCX and Basement Jaxx.
An out and proud trans woman, Mykki Blanco uses she/they pronouns and is a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ progression. She also publicly discussed her HIV positive status in the hopes of reducing the stigma surrounding the virus, and has expressed plans to continue being a bold, proud figure in the music sphere.
Frank Ocean
By the age of 30, Frank Ocean had released two studio albums – both of them made it onto the Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. The innovation and creativity behind these records is indicative of the artists’ willingness to be open and vulnerable to his audience, and it pays off very well.
His sophomore record Blonde in particular is a critically acclaimed masterpiece. From the dreamlike Pink + White (featuring vocals by Beyoncé) to the emotionally raw Ivy, the record became a major influence in the future of hip hop from the moment of its release. Fans eagerly await the singer’s next studio album.
Young M.A
After receiving widespread popularity and acclaim for her addictive single OOOUUU in 2016, American rapper and director Young M.A only continued to impress with consistent and contemporary productions. By her late 20s, she had been nominated for BET and MTV Artist of the Year, already showing promise from a young age.
Young M.A has been very upfront about identifying as queer, discussing the difficult conversations with her parents regarding her sexual orientation. Growing up, her mother would try to encourage her to come out, but she would be hesitant. Since moving to New York and releasing new projects, even working on directing explicit gay films, she has gained a new confidence that translates powerfully into her music.
Saucy Santana
Starting off as a makeup artist and TikTok star, Saucy Santana has gained increasing popularity across the globe in recent years. After the rapper utilized his TikTok fame as a method of marketing, inspiring dance trends and challenges on the social media app, his singles entered the charts, and he built a devoted fanbase.
In 2019, Santana was a victim of a drive-by shooting in Miami. The rapper believed the attack was motivated by homophobia. Following this incident, he released the empowering track You Can’t Kill Me in response to the attack and in connection with the homophobic response his internet popularity had produced. He then released his liberating debut studio album Keep It Playa in 2021.
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