7 Essential Artists For Your Pride Week
It’s Pride month, and we're celebrating the musicians who have used self-expression to make waves for the LGBTQ+ community.
Meet some of our favourites.
1. PRINCE
When speaking of his gender-bending androgyny, Prince said "I wasn't searching for anything, I think I was just being... who I was". Prince's look & music were all about self-expression and his own uniqueness.
2. JANELLE MONAE
Janelle Monae has spoken publicly about identifying with pansexuality and makes music for all sexualities, stating: "what I want is for people who feel oppressed or feel like the 'other' to connect with the music and feel like 'she represents who I am'".
3. FRANK OCEAN
Frank Ocean doesn't subscribe to labels, but has openly brought his queerness to the hip-hop community. He wrote an open letter describing falling in love with a man, and his music reflects his queer experiences in a way that's still rare in today's hip-hop.
4. LADY GAGA
A longtime advocate and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, Lady Gaga promotes individuality & acceptance. her track "born this way" highlights these values.
5. LUCAS SILVEIRA
The first openly transgender man to sign with a major record label, Lucas Silveira is a voice and advocate for the trans community (and he's Canadian!).
6. ST. VINCENT
St. Vincent is not only a female rockstar & highly talented guitarist, but also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, a group often under-represented in rock & roll.
7. FREDDIE MERCURY
Freddie Mercury's popularity and battle with HIV brought light to what it was like to live as a gay man with HIV in the 80's. his music is full of self-expression & everything pride stands for.
And we've only just scratched the surface....