(Photo: Yung Baby Tate/@yungbabytate via Instagram)
Happy Pride! June might be when the spotlight’s on queer artists this month, but these stars have got enough stan-worthy material to go the whole year round.
It’s pride, which means the beats have to bump, so if you’re looking to get put onto the sounds of your summer, you’re in the right place. Whatever you’re doing – or wherever you’re partying – please any crowd by adding these icons to your playlist.
Zebra Katz is honestly a living legend and you better get into it. I discovered him in high school after hearing Azealia Banks’ cover of his legendary single “Ima Read” on her Fantasea mixtape and needed to hear more. Releasing singles and mixtapes in the years since, he followed them up with his debut album LESS IS MOOR in March 2020 and girl, the creative direction on this project goes crazy. “LOUSY/IN IN IN” is a double-feature short film that wows you for its 9-minute entirety, and “MOOR” is just as stunning in theatrics. His fiery pen and distinctive sound have remained steady throughout, but the music’s just kept getting better. The album got a remix treatment too, meaning double the bops for you to stream this Pride and beyond.
If you’ve been on social media in the last few months, you’ve probably heard Yung Baby Tate’s manifestation anthem “I Am” ft. Flo Milli as a trending sound. From the start, YBT’s made it clear that she is here for female rap unity, inviting some of today’s hottest rap girls on her 2019 mixtape GIRLS – she also wrote and produced every track on it. She just dropped the deluxe version of her 2020 EP After The Rain with 7 new tracks, so get to know her.
Okay, if we’re gonna talk about legends, we’re gonna talk about Freedia, period – Legend with a capital L! The bounce icon has been putting out hits for over two decades and has got more guest appearances that I can count. We love her and the industry loves her too. For starters, she’s THAT iconic voice in Beyonce’s “Formation” – “I did not come to play with you hoes! I came to slay, bitch!” She was also the voice in Drake’s “Nice For What,” and just last week, she was featured in Lady Gaga’s reimagined release of Born This Way featuring covers by LGBT artists. Through simply existing as a carefree genderfluid person in this world and still slaying, Freedia is a revolutionary trailblazer.
After self-releasing his own mixtapes and producing sick beats for artists like Bbymutha and Cakes Da Killa, LSDXOXO has just dropped Dedicated 2 Disrespect, the first of his works to feature his voice over samples. His tracks are nightlife staples that quite simply sound queer AF – all the elements we want to hear in the club. Blending house, techno, pitch-shifted vocals, it’s everything and you just can’t resist the urge to dance crazy.
Have you heard that TikTok sound that’s just like… screaming on a sickening dance beat? Yeah, well that’s “Uckers” by Shygirl. Her slick delivery of sexy and flirty lyrics over clanging electronic beats courtesy of constant collaborator Sega Bodega makes binging her discography a whole experience. An it-girl in her own right, she was just featured in Burberry’s AW21 campaign alongside FKA Twigs and Kendall Jenner. SLIME, produced by the late-but-absolutely-never-forgotten SOPHIE, is def gonna be on repeat for me all summer.