This article was published on September 4th, 2023

Supporting our community has never been more critical as anti-LGBTQ laws are being enacted worldwide, creating a chilling environment for queer individuals. 

For instance, in Hungary, a 2021 law bans the portrayal of homosexuality to minors, effectively stigmatizing LGBTQ youth. 

Meanwhile, in Ghana, lawmakers are considering a bill that could criminalize being LGBTQ. So what can we do to uplift each other? Well, art has always been a safe haven and a loudspeaker for the marginalized. Let’s delve into the captivating world of queer artists who are set to dominate the scene in 2024.

Queer Artists to Keep an Eye On

Jame Minogue

Is love a dream or a nightmare? Ask Jame Minogue, and you’ll find an eclectic mix of both in their song “Hate Being in Love.” The tune waltzes through contrasting sentiments, pairing a tropical bongo beat with heartfelt lyrics to deliver a romantically whimsical anti-love anthem. Mixing Pop, Latin, Caribbean, and Hip-hop, this Dominican artist crafts a multi-layered sonic experience that captures the complexity of love.

Jean-Marvell

Newcomer alert! With just two songs, Jean-Marvell from London proves the pen mightier than the sword. In “Pedestrians,” the artist takes you on a poetic journey about life’s uncertainties. The track is a lyrical masterpiece that tells the story of navigating through emotional maze just like pedestrians on the street—head down, but ever-moving.

Mae Krell & Boygenius

Introducing boygenius, a queer indie supergroup formed by Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus. Recently announcing their debut album, the trio is going all-in on their creative vision. Their upcoming music videos will be directed by none other than bisexual actress Kristen Stewart, and their tour features queer talent like Ethel Cain and MUNA, adding layers of diversity to an already exciting project.

Kelcy Mae Wilburn

Country music takes on a queer twist with Ever More Nest, the stage name for Kelcy Mae Wilburn. Raised in the heart of the Bible Belt in Shreveport, Louisiana, Wilburn’s music reflects the authentic Southern sounds that shaped her, but with an indie twist. 

Lilli Lewis

Meet Lilli Lewis, a musician on a mission to expand country music while making positive change. Her song “A Healing Inside” tells the story of her journey through trauma, making it a powerful anthem of resilience and recovery. Based in Bush, Louisiana, her work celebrates the queer experience through the timeless power of storytelling.

Paisley Fields

Changing the country music narrative one beat at a time is Paisley Fields. Based in Nashville, his unique disco-country fusion is relatable to everyone. Fields emphasizes that his songs speak not just to queer experiences, but to universal emotions like love and loneliness. 

Mothé

Ready to add a dash of synth-pop zest to your playlist? Meet Mothé, the Texas native who decided 2022 was the year to burst out of their punk rock cocoon. Gone are the days of thrashing guitars and angsty lyrics; in their place, you’ll find shimmering synth lines and emotionally intricate tunes. Mothé’s debut album, “I Don’t Want You To Worry Anymore,” serves as a sonic love letter to their newfound freedom in self-expression.

As a multi-instrumentalist songwriter and singer, Mothé isn’t just someone who decided to switch lanes on a whim. This is an artist leaning into an evolution, embracing their synth-pop skin as comfortably as one settles into their own body. 

Here’s the deal: Mothé’s narrative and musical artistry promises a layered experience, one that goes beyond mere genre tags. It’s the kind of complexity that the world not only craves but also needs. After all, isn’t life too short for one-dimensional playlists?

ALMA

Yearning for that infectious pop sound with an edge? You can’t go past ALMA, the Finnish singer-songwriter making waves in the industry. A frequent collaborator with the likes of Charli XCX and Tove Lo, ALMA brings her punk mentality and killer neon tresses into a pop universe that’s ready for a revamp. And trust, she’s more than up for the task.

Not one to conform to the cookie-cutter standards of pop music, ALMA is a rebel with a cause: amplifying the artistic gravitas of mainstream tunes. But don’t be fooled, she’s not rebelling just for the sake of it. Her latest release, “Summer Really Hurt Us,” shows just how adept she is at playing the pop game. The song masterfully melds the algorithmic perfection of a pop track with an orchestral grandeur that gives it an emotional weight, a signature touch of ALMA.

Support Queer artists in 2024

Supporting these artists not only means enjoying some killer tracks but also uplifting voices that need to be heard in these trying times. So go ahead, hit that follow button and let’s make 2024 the year of queer artistry!