Pride: 10 Songs By Black Queer Artists That'll Make You Proud

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June is one of the best months of the year since it’s not only Black Music Month but it also marks LGBTQ+ Pride Month. In 30 days we can celebrate the innovations of Black music and commemorate the countless leaders who’ve fought for queer and trans people everywhere.

With that being said, there’s no better time to count down a list of songs by Black queer artists than now.

Hit the flip for the top ten tracks that should give you all the pride, whether Black, queer, or anywhere in between. From Janelle Monáe to Frank Ocean, these songs need to be on your playlist pronto.

10. “Basically Over You (B.O.Y)” – Alex Newell 

Queer pride grows stronger with queer heartbreak, and Glee star Alex Newell provided a catchy anthem for all the f%*k bois ruining lives. If you can’t strut down the street to this song after moving out your ex’s place, then you’re definitely NOT basically over them.

9. “Rewind” – Kelela 

When describing how “Rewind” came about, electronic R&B goddess Kelela explained how a friend’s adventure in a club served as inspiration. One of her besties was trying to secure the heart of a girl she’d met that day. However, when the bestie finally decided to make her move, the dream girl was gone…and she couldn’t rewind.

Thus, a Miami bass-inspired club anthem was born.

8. “Goodie Goodies” – Cakes Da Killa

Back in 2013, Cakes Da Killa made waves on the Internet as one of the few rappers who was unapologetic about his gay identity. Not only was he a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, but he was also unapologetic about gay sex in general, and he laid it out in every detail in the track “Goodie Goodies.” If you ever need sex education from a gay man’s perspective, Cakes is your guy.

7. “You’re the One” – Kaytranada feat. Syd

When Kaytranada first came out as gay in 2016, he made it clear that he didn’t want his sexuality to define all his music. As an innovative producer creating memorable work in hip hop and dance music, he wanted the music to speak for itself.

But nothing can bring out the pride in Pride Month like having two talented queers on a track together. The Internet front-woman, Syd, sings beautifully about the turmoils of love over a knocking Kaytranada beat in “You’re the One.” It’s the perfect song that’ll equally give you the feels if you listen to the lyrics, and it’ll have your booty bouncing at the same time.

6. “Tomboy” – Princess Nokia 

Beauty standards were destroyed when New York spitter Princess Nokia dropped “Tomboy” in 2016. Now granted, Nokia has a bit of an edge, considering she’s gorgeous by general society standards. But it’s still nice to have an anthem that celebrates the different bodies and attitudes of women everywhere.

5. “Make Me Feel” – Janelle Monáe

With Janelle Monáe’s third studio album Dirty Computer, the funky singer revealed more about herself than ever before. “Make Me Feel” is a testament to this when Janelle celebrates gender AND sexual fluidity with lines like “It’s like I’m powerful with a little bit of tender/ An emotional sexual bender.” We’re not sure how Janelle is making other people feel, but she’s definitely making the queers feel good.

4. “I Am Her” – Shea Diamond

A crucial component of LGBTQ+ empowerment is self-acceptance and self-love. This can be a messy process and singer Shea Diamond illustrates the beauty in the journey with her track “I Am Her.” After committing a crime to pay for her gender affirmation surgery, Diamond spent 10 years in a men’s prison, and she says this is where she found her voice to be her truest self. After she was released, she recorded “I Am Her,” a song about reclaiming your power and always walking in your truth.

3. “Ima Read” – Zebra Katz feat. Njena Reddd Foxxx 

So much LGBTQ+ lingo that’s been around for years is now making its way into the mainstream lexicon. “Reading” is one term that’s a cherished addition to people’s vocabulary. “Reading,” or criticizing, was made into an iconic anthem back in 2012 when rapper Zebra Katz hilariously listed all the ways to read someone who deserved the “knowledge.” With a standout verse from Njena Reddd Foxxx as assistance, “Ima Read” became an instant classic.

2. “Girl” – The Internet 

Thanks to things like homophobia and cis-heteronormativity, LGBTQ+ people rarely get a chance to witness queer romance represented in the media. So when a sappy, mushy, romantic slow jam hits the waves with queer love at the center, we latch on for dear life.

The romance Syd sings about in “Girls” might be cliché in the grand scheme of things, but with her tender voice brewing infatuation over the Kaytranada-produced track, anyone — no matter your sexuality — can’t help but fall in love.

1. “Forest Gump” – Frank Ocean

Picking between “Thinking About You” and “Forest Gump” is like picking between your two favorite kids.

While “Thinking About You” was a monumental release in Frank Ocean’s young career, “Forest Gump” came after Frank Ocean’s letter revealing he fell in love with a man. The heartbreak and album that followed made for one of the most memorable moments in Black music history and Black queer history. With Channel Orange, Frank already had a classic album on his hands, and there was no better way to end the record than Frank’s one last confession of same-gender love. “Forest Gump” is that one song that represents a timeless feeling. It doesn’t get more Pride-worthy than that.