LGBTQ+ Artist Feature: Pride Month
By Jamie Alatzas
Girl in Red
Photograph: Jonathan Kise
Girl in Red, also known as Marie Ulven Ringheim, is a 23-year-old Norwegian songwriter whose lyrics and artistry through vulnerability found her being labeled as a queer icon. For those unfamiliar with her music, many are familiar with the phrase “Do you listen to Girl in Red?” – which essentially is code for asking a woman if they are interested in other women romantically. Her debut single, “i wanna be your girlfriend” found Girl in Red with great success through its viral success and relatable writing, similarly to her single released in 2019, “we fell in love in october.” In 2021, Ringheim released her first complete studio album, if i could make it go quiet. If i could make it go quiet features the raw and complete honesty of her feelings that so many of her fans adore.
Hayley Kiyoko
Photograph: Trevor Flores
Hayley Kiyoko’s classic pop vocals and sound fueled with her lyrically queer representation in the industry forms music Gen-Z needs. Many familiar with her appearances on Disney, her voice holds nostalgia to a certain niche of people, who can see their own growth through hers as well. Aside from the music alone, Kiyoko further extends LGBTQIA+ representation through her music videos as well. The music video for her 2015 song, “Girls like Girls” extends the meaning beyond her lyrics in representing same-sex relationships for her fans and anyone finding acceptance through her work.
FLETCHER
Photograph: Kristen Jan Wong
FLETCHER, full name Cari Fletcher, has found her spot in female pop stardom through her raw emotional lyrics -- particularly in her 2019 hit “Undrunk” explaining the yearn to go back in time regarding a relationship. Her song “girls girls girls” includes a sample of Katy Perry’s iconic “I Kissed a Girl” where many people felt their first sense of same sex representation in music. Her most recent single, “Cherry” with Hayley Kiyoko highlights the collaboration between two queer icons with an extremely energetic and catchy summer vibe.
Lil Nas X
Photograph: Charlotte Rutherford
Lil Nas X has held his place in stardom and the charts since his 2019 hit “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus which blended R&B and country into the song of summer 2019. On the same EP, songs like “Rodeo” and “Panini” racked up millions of streams. His most recent album, Montero, which includes “INDUSTRY BABY” featuring Jack Harlow, introduces a more personal taste into his life. Although Montero features artists like Jack Harlow and Megan Thee Stallion, he also features Elton John on “ONE OF ME” exploring genres beyond the strictly hip hop sound of his previous work.
Kim Petras
Photograph: Burak Cingi
German singer songwriter Kim Petras has recently found her fame beyond the European charts with her 2021 single, “Coconuts” which gained viral success through TikTok. Her success coming from her small town in Germany to worldwide fame highlights her work ethic to make herself into the pop star she is becoming. Her most recent album, Slut Pop, features sexually liberating tracks that are bound to get caught in your head for days on end. Mirroring similar aesthetics of Paris Hilton, who appears in her “I Don’t Want it At All” and “Malibu” music videos, Petras has made herself and her music into an iconic it-girl persona.
Ashnikko
Photograph: Vasso Vu
Ashnikko’s viral success through TikTok, particularly with “Daisy” and “STUPID” has made a lasting impact on her career. Her music, which falls into genres of pop, hip-hop, electropop, punk, etc.. not only makes for angsty themes for her listeners, but the feminist and political themes lying behind her lyrics and songs creates something the generation needs. Aside from Ashnikko’s artistry behind her music, her creativity behind her fashion, media, and video presents her ideas heard in her music into a visual setting. Her CGI inspired music videos, for instance her “Daisy” video makes her internet domination and upbringing almost symbolic.
Sam Smith
Photograph: Universal Music
Sam Smith’s career really kicked off with their feature on Disclosure’s “Latch” in 2012. In 2014, they released In the Lonely Hour including iconic songs “I’m Not the Only One” and “Stay with Me” which both have fallen into Spotify’s “BILLIONS CLUB” racking in over one billion streams. Their 2017 hit “Too Good at Goodbyes” off of “The Thrill of It” had similar success and also currently sits at almost a billion and a half streams on Spotify. Smith came out as gay following the success of In the Lonely Hour in 2014 representing their music can relate to anyone in any relationship. As I was 12 years old at the time, Smith was one of the first artists to show LGBTQIA+ representation in music that truly impacted my life. In 2019, Smith came out as non-binary. Smith’s voice is one of the most beautiful of our generation, and their music will always remain iconic and representative of this era.
Orville Peck
Photograph: Kristen Pittman
Orville Peck’s deep and soul filled voice is almost addictive to listen to. His most recent album, released in 2022, Bronco features the sounds of classic country mixed with rock elements. Identity hidden behind an array of fringe face masks, Orville Peck has made the iconic mask something unforgettable - just like his voice. Comparable to Elvis, his voice is one that deeply strikes a chord within the listener, his lyrics matching the sometimes melancholy feeling his voice gives in “Let Me Drown” off of Bronco. As an openly gay country artist, Orville Peck has voiced the struggles he has faced in the industry getting to where he is. However, his success and music makes room for more aspiring artists in the genre. Since his debut album, Pony, Orville Peck has only grown to get more and more of the recognition that he deserves and will continue to get in the future.