20 queer hip-hop artists who’ve revolutionized the genre
Here are 20 queer hip-hop artists who’ve doubled as game changers within the last 20 years...
Mark
A lot can change in two decades. Queerty is not only celebrating our 20th birthday this year but also the queer-friendly strides we’ve seen along the way — including within hip-hop. The genre has come a long way in acknowledging queerness, and we’re grateful to witness the rise of the many amazing LGBTQ+ artists who contribute to its greatness.
Here are 20 queer hip-hop artists who’ve doubled as game changers within the last 20 years…
Saucy Santana
How about we take this to the next level?
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Any conversation centered around queer rappers is null and void if Saucy Santana’s name isn’t thrown in the conversation. Known for his smash hits like “Walk” and “Material Girl,” the artist routinely creates content —whether chart-topping music or viral interview clips —focused on how he navigates life as a Black, queer man.
Frank Ocean
Everyone remembers where they were when the talented and enigmatic Frank Ocean published a letter on his Tumblr account that shed a new layer of vulnerability. Previously, Ocean had built a name for himself as a masterful artist with a burgeoning craft. His coming out helped to normalize conversations around the importance of accepting queer artists in mainstream media.
Lakeyah
(@lakeyah)Hailing from Milwaukee, Lakeyah is one of the fiercest rappers to come out of the Midwest. Her unapologetic rhymes, supercharged cadence, and fabulous fashions easily make her one of the most elite rappers to debut within the last two decades. The superstart isn’t only candid on her hit songs like “Mind Yo Business” but in her personal life as well — it’s why when she divulged her queerness in this interview, as a lesbian, that fans knew she was and is the real deal.
Cardi B
Before we go any further, this is a Cardi B stan account! The Bronx native, since the inception of her career, has proudly identified as bisexual while being a proponent of queer rights. We love a multifaceted queen!
Infinite Coles
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few months, you’re likely more than familiar with rising artist, Infinite Coles. While he may be the son of hip-hop legend Ghostface Killah, with whom he shares a challenging relationship, the openly gay Coles is charting his own destiny. And you know what? We’re here for his reign.
Megan Thee Stallion
It should come as no surprise that Megan Thee Stallion remains one of the leading hip-hop artists of our generation, especially given her immense talent. What may come as a surprise to some is the artist’s sexual preferences, according to an interview she did a few years ago, which includes women. Can she be any cooler?!
Kidd Kenn
(@kiddkenn)Kidd Kenn came out the gate swinging—and never stopped. The Chicago native made history in 2021 as the first openly gay rapper to participate in the BET Hip Hop Awards’ digital cypher. Young, gifted, and gay, he’s already redefining the genre with his charisma and lyrical fire. He’s proof that the future of hip-hop is fierce, fabulous, and completely unfiltered.
Lil Nas X
As we take this time to hold Lil Nas X in our thoughts for a speedy recovery, we’re reminded of the phenomenon that he is. The trailblazer first entered our hearts with “Old Town Road,” and after publicly coming out in 2019, we’ve loved him ever since. Get better soon! 
Da Brat
Before there was space for queer women in hip-hop, Da Brat was already paving the way. Her 2020 coming out was less a reveal and more a victory lap. It was a confirmation of what the culture always knew: she’s been that girl from the jump.
Chika
Chika doesn’t just spit fiery rhymes; they actually feel like sermons. Her music, political yet poetic, bridges faith, queerness, and self-acceptance with an unmatched sense of purpose. The artist has previously revealed how her queerness informs her musicality and its importance. She’s not here to fit into hip-hop; she’s here to expand it, and we’re grateful to her for doing so.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat is hip-hop’s mad scientist, blending rap, pop, and pure chaos into something only she could conjure. Unbothered, unboxed, and unapologetically experimental, she moves through music like she owns every genre she touches. Her lyricism drips with irony and intention, her visuals are performance art in motion, and her boldness around gender and sexuality has made her both muse and menace in the best way possible. When she alluded to her own bisexuality a few years ago, it made us love her even more.
Young M.A.
When Young M.A. dropped “OOOUUU,” she shifted the culture—point blank. The Brooklyn native, who came out before her musical debut, immediately came into the game with effortless swag and bars to match. We expect to see her around for the next 20 years as well!
Taylor Bennett
Taylor Bennett not only creates dope music that feels like a warm embrace, but that relatability extends to his personal life as well. The rapper came out as bisexual in 2017, around the time of his 21st birthday, and we’ve been saluting him ever since for his courage. We’ll continue to have his back!
Doechii
Doechii is the future, and she, like the rest of us, knows it. With her genre-bending sound, kinetic performances, and ballroom-inspired flair, she’s rewriting what it means to be a queer artist in hip-hop. When she revealed that she’s bisexual, she instantly became a dynamic representation of what it means to live in and honor one’s truth. Every verse, every look, every move is a declaration: this is art, and it’s hers.
ILOVEMAKONNEN
When ILOVEMAKONNEN told the world he was gay, it didn’t convey shock — it felt more about freedom. The man behind “Tuesday” built a world where the blend of genres can yield incredible content, but he’s also helped create one where queer rappers can enjoy the same freedoms and luxuries as their cishet counterparts.
Kevin Abstract
Kevin Abstract turned vulnerability into a movement. Growing up as a Black, queer kid in Texas, through the group BROCKHAMPTON, he created a creative utopia for queer kids who never saw themselves in hip-hop. His storytelling—equal parts confession and confrontation—reminds us that masculinity can hold multitudes.
Queen Latifah
Before hashtags and visibility campaigns, there was Latifah—commanding respect and radiating power. She’s never needed to say much; her impact has spoken for itself for decades. From “U.N.I.T.Y.” to Hollywood royalty, she remains the blueprint for grace, grit, and quiet confidence. More importantly, we’re stoked to see how happy she and her partner continuously look –seriously, they’re one of the most attractive couples out there!
Yung Miami
Whether she’s dropping new music that will get us on the dance floor or rocking the mic while interviewing some of our favorite celebrities via Caresha Please, Yung Miami embodies the new era of openness. Her comfort with fluidity, fame, and femininity adds a new layer to the City Girls legacy—one where power looks like owning your desires out loud. When she revealed her bisexuality, it just further reinforced how authenticity and owning one’s truth is always a power move.
DreBae
One thing about DreBae? His flow is as smooth as his drip. Whether he’s dropping his own fiery rendition of popular songs or his very own, he brings luxury, playfulness, and pure queer joy to the game. The bars are an added bonus! As a femme, queer hip-hop artist, his talent and work ethic are undoubtedly setting the stage for the next generation of queer artists to take the mantle.
Ice Spice
The Bronx native Ice Spice has taken the world by storm over the last few years. We’ve seen her on every stage you can, with the smash hits to match. It’s safe to say that we’re fans over here, not only because of the music, but she’s also been vocal about being queer, specifically being bisexual.
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