Pride Month is a time to celebrate love and elevate the LGBTQ+ community, and everyone knows a good celebration needs music. Luckily, Apple Music has tapped celebrities like Troye Sivan, Tayla Parx, and Hayley Kiyoko to curate playlists of some of their favourite songs. "After the year that we've had, I've been reminded even more of how important it is for the LGBTQIA+ community to be heard, and what better way to do that than through music!" Parx said in a statement.
Along with the celebrity playlists, Apple Music has launched "an always-on space [1] that will shine a light on the LGBTQ+ community in June and all year-round." It will include exclusive DJ mixes from artists like Moore Kismet, India Jordan, and Worthy, as well as interviews, videos, and so much more. Get ready to dance, and see all the artists taking over Apple Music's Pride Month playlists ahead.
Hayley Kiyoko: Love Her, Lover Playlist
Kiyoko's playlist is dedicated to the artists who inspire her. "Compiling this playlist and seeing these incredible artists in one space had me feeling truly inspired and empowered," she said in a statement. "From Tegan and Sara, whose existence made me feel confident about who I loved back in high school, or Girl in Red being unapologetically herself, I'm proud of what each of these artists represents to the community. I hope this playlist helps spread a little more love, confidence, and positivity to everyone!"
Listen to Hayley Kiyoko's Love Her, Lover playlist [2] on Apple Music.
Tayla Parx: Here 'n' Queer Playlist
Parx's takeover features a variety of genres and artists, from Bessie Smith to Ma Rainey. "After the year that we've had, I've been reminded even more of how important it is for the LGBTQIA+ community to be heard, and what better way to do that than through music!" Parx said in a statement.
Listen to Tayla Parx's Here 'n' Queer playlist [3] on Apple Music.
Troye Sivan: Strike a Pose Playlist
Sivan's playlist is filled with self-empowerment songs, from Whitney Houston to Lady Gaga [4] and Britney Spears [5]. "This playlist spans decades of good queer vibes," Sivan stated. "Happy Pride."
Listen to Troye Sivan's Strike a Pose playlist [6] on Apple Music.
Mykki Blanco: RESIST! Playlist
Blanco's Pride takeover includes queer artists and allies with a "spirit of resistance." It features "Don Dada" by Cakes da Killa & Proper Villains, "Rainbow Dragon" by Keiynan Lonsdale, and "Daddy Like" by Dorian Electra.
"Cakes da Killa's raps are hard-hitting, saucy, and sassy. He is a ruthless rapper from New York and is one of the originators of the queer rap genre. Cakes continues to push the envelope of hip-hop even further with 'Don Dada,' a song that fuses house music, hardcore rap, and proud proclamations that Cakes is here to change the game," Blanco explained. "Keiynan Lonsdale creates a magical world for us to step into with this song. Proudly living his truth as a Black queer human being, breaking stereotypes left and right, and really breaking outside of the box of society's expectations of who he should be and how he should live. 'Rainbow Dragon' is self-discovery pop at its best."
Blanco continued, "'Daddy Like' sees rising pop star Dorian Electra breaking down and through gender norms as a genderqueer father figure. Turning the theme of 'sugar daddy' on its head, Dorian is flamboyant as well as benevolent, creating a song with juicy punchlines, pushing the boundaries of gender-nonconforming pop music, and most importantly, a bop we can groove to."
Listen to Mykki Blanco's RESIST! playlist [7] on Apple Music.
Claud: Thrive Playlist
For Claud's Pride takeover playlist, they selected songs with personal meaning and an emphasis on trans and nonbinary musicians, including tracks from their Super Monster debut album. "This playlist includes some of my favourite songs of the last few years, from rainy car rides singing along with Kimya Dawson to dancing in the club to Kim Petras," Claud said in a statement.
Listen to Claud's Thrive playlist [8] on Apple Music.