Gay-pop

Rapper and singer 070 Shake blends genres that encompass alternative hip-hop, pop rap, and psychedelic music.

Lyrics are frequently personal and autobiographical, reflecting the artists’ own experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Visual and Performance Style

The visual aspect of gay pop music is crucial. Her male alter-ego Jo Calederone was absurdly hot. We’ll dive into the impact of his coming out, how it challenged perceptions, smashed stereotypes, and gave hope to countless young LGBTQ+ people who were struggling to find their place.

It makes Monáe stand out in any room. Synth-Pop’s not just a sound; it’s a mood. Artists use their platforms to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, raise awareness about issues like HIV/AIDS, and support initiatives aimed at achieving equality. In recent years, she’s published a book, Girls Like Girls,a reference to her supergay track “Girls Like Girls.” Her second book, Where There’s Room For Us, will debut this fall.

Australian actor and noted “twink icon” Troye Sivan came out on YouTube at the age of 18, after which point he, according to a New Yorker profile, “began to shed his plucky YouTube persona and to adopt the ultra-styled glamour of a pop star.” The profile noted that despite the rich legacy of LGBT musicians, Sivan was trying to do something new, becoming “a gay pop idol in the mold of Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, forged on social media and marketed to a mass audience primed by Lady Gaga’s anthem of acceptance, “Born This Way.”” He makes extremely gay music videos, most recently the delightful “One of Your Girls.”

Obviously, Janelle Monaé is a titan.

It’s more than just music; it’s a celebration of identity, love, and freedom. Shake first hit the Billboard Hot 100 as a featured artist on the song “Escapism” by Raye, which went viral on Tiktok.

The Rest: Spotting the Difference

So, what separates Gay Pop from the rest of the music world? Even as she’s matured — and dropped the $ from her name — she’s never stopped having fun with her music getting more explicitly queer in songs like “Kinky.” (-DBG)

The frontman of Queen is considered one of the greatest singers of all time, and his death from AIDS shook the gay community to its core.

Its historical association with queer club culture is undeniable. Songs that celebrate queer identity and love offer listeners a sense of belonging and pride. Visibility is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Community Building

Music has always been a uniting force, and Gay Pop is no exception. Think of artists like Rina Sawayama, who bends genres with her unapologetic queer perspective, weaving her personal experiences into bangers that make you wanna dance and think.

They’re not just singing about love and heartbreak; they’re singing about identity, acceptance, and the power of being yourself. In 2024, they released the extraordinary documentary Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan & Sara.

Pansexual and genderqueer French singer-songwriter Christine and the Queens, who also goes just by Chris, makes very fun and often experimental art pop.

They are not your average popstars, and that’s precisely what makes them so exciting. Seeing her on the charts is the inspiration and visibility so many have fought for so long.

Perfume Genius: Experimental Sounds of Resilience

Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas) brings an experimental edge to Gay Pop.

With haunting vocals and lyrics that delve into the complexities of queer identity and resilience, Perfume Genius creates music that’s both challenging and cathartic. There were definitely LGBTQ+ artists present, yet the representation was often veiled, limited, or filtered through a heteronormative lens.

Then the world changed.

It’s incredible how recent Kiyoko, who’s also an actor, dancer and writer, changed the game. This section is all about how Gay Pop is changing the world, one sequin-covered step at a time. Artists like Ricky Martin, Adam Lambert, and Sam Smith came out publicly, contributing to the normalization of gay pop music.