5 LGBTQ Artists That Rocked Our Worlds in 2020
by Ryan Shea
Many artists that made up the music industry provided a fantastic distraction from all the gloom and doom that we were presented with over the past several months.
Some of those fabulous performers come from the LGBTQ community where they churned out delicious hit after hit, topped the charts, won awards, and kept us wanting more and more from them as the year went on.
Take a look at five in particular who really rocked our worlds in 2020:
Sam Smith
The London born singer finally released their third studio album Love Goes in October nearly three years after The Thrill of it All came out. It featured their massive smash “Dancing with a Stranger” featuring Normani and “I’m Ready” with Demi Lovato, the latter of which included an incredible Olympic-themed/LGBTQ music video.
Hayley Kiyoko
Hayley, who has been dubbed by her diehard fans as “Lesbian Jesus” over the years, kicked off 2020 with her fabulous new EP I’m Too Sensitive for This S**t. One of its tracks, “She”, found the 29-year-old navigating her sexuality as her younger self. It’s vibrant and poignant music video has racked up over 3 million views so far.
Lil Nas X
Nas came out as gay on the last day of World Pride Month in June 2019 and his career has been skyrocketing ever since. “Old Town Road” was a major success for him last year on the charts and the award show circuit but he proved to not be a one trick pony by releasing fiery new songs months later like “Rodeo” with Cardi B and the wintry-themed “Holiday”.
Kehlani
The openly queer and pan music star, who entered the world of motherhood last year, dropped her second studio album It Was Good Until It Wasn’t in May. It featured the cheeky song “F&MU”, which you can figure out its actual meaning pretty quickly, that included this memorable lyric: “We f**k and make up like it’s Maybelline.”
Shea Diamond
Trans soul singer Diamond’s powerful song “I Am America” was the theme song for HBO’s critically acclaimed series We’re Here. The inspiring anthem centers on the black trans community and their quest for space in America that is often denied to them. She also released other singles in 2020 including “Stand Up” and “So Lucky” and had two of her songs featured in the soundtrack to the Hulu Christmas film Happiest Season.
Do you have a favorite LGBTQ artist of 2020? Tell us in the comments!
About the Author:
Ryan Shea is an established writer who has contributed thought-provoking pieces for many different industries. He has worked for major publications including Newsday, Hollywood Life, Instinct Magazine and The Ladders.
