10 Queer Grammy Nominees You Need to Know Right Now

By Christine Siamanta Kinori

One of the biggest nights in music are the Grammy’s. Every year, we look forward to the iconic fashion, glam, and performances. This year, the Recording Academy announced that they will push back the ceremony to April 3rd. Here are the LGBTQ+ nominees we will be rooting for.

LIL NAS X

Lil Nas X is one of the leading LGBTQ+ artists recognized at the Grammy’s, with five nominations. He is being considered for Best Melodic Rap Performance, Best Music Video for “Industry Baby’’ and “Montero’’ respectively, as well as Album, Record, and Song of the Year. We wouldn’t mind seeing him go home with all of them.

LADY GAGA

The Mother Monster has been nominated for five Grammys and Little Monsters all over the world are cheering her on. She has been nominated for Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for her Tony Bennett collaboration Love for Sale, and Best Pop/Duo Group Performance and Best Music Video for “I Get a Kick Out of You” from that album.

THE BROTHERS OSBORNE

This American country music duo consists of two brothers, John and T.J. Early. Last year, T.J publicly came out as gay and has been advocating for inclusivity in the Country Music Awards. The band has been nominated for Best Country Duo/Group performance for “Younger Me,” and Best Country Album for Skeletons.

BRANDY CLARK

Clark is known to be one of the best country songwriters and has openly spoken about coming out in country music. Her song with Brandi Carlile, “Same Devil,” has been nominated for Best American Roots Performance.

HALSEY

The always gorgeous and talented Halsey has an album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, nominated for Best Alternative Music Album.

ST. VINCENT

Queer gender-bending artist St. Vincent’s latest album Daddy’s Home is one of four albums in the Best Alternative Music Album category.

AROOJ AFTAB

In addition to being a queer singer, Aftab is a music composer and producer who hails from Pakistan and is currently based in Brooklyn. Her song ‘Mohabbat’ has been nominated in two categories: Best New Artist and Best Global Music Performance. Former President Obama had listed it as one of his summer playlist favorites for 2021 and we can’t help but agree with him.

BRANDI CARLILE

Carlile is one of the stars that managed to get five Grammy nominations this year. She’s up for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Right on Time” along with a Best American Roots Performance nomination, Record of the Year, and two entries in Song of the Year.

ARLO PARKS

The openly bisexual singer, songwriter, and poet has been nominated for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Album.

What do you think of our list? Comment down below the 10th artist you can’t wait to see on Grammy night!

About the Author:

Christine Siamanta Kinori grew up in a little village in Kenya known as Loitoktok near the border of Kenya and Tanzania. All she wanted to do when she grew up was to explore the world. Her curiosity led her to join Nairobi University to pursue a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She later got a job with an amazing travel magazine Nomad Africa which gave her the opportunity to explore Africa. She also writes for numerous travel websites about Africa and tries to create a new narrative in the media about our aesthetic continent.

Christine claims to have somewhat unhealthy addiction to TV and reading, as it is a fun way to keep herself occupied during the long journeys for her travel writing. She is also a believer of letting people be their beautiful selves. To her, love is love and it is the greatest gift we have as humans.