Blog: The ultimate Pride playlist
Written by Ruby and Holly
Are you looking forward to celebrating pride this year but not sure what music to soundtrack it with? Well, look no further because we have put together the ultimate pride playlist to cover all bases! From dance tunes, to the perfect lip-sync battle, to empowering anthems, we have got it all.
Alongside the music, we’re also highlighting a few influential LGBTQ+ artists whose work has shaped the industry and inspired generations. Get ready to discover new favourites, revisit iconic tracks, and celebrate Pride with the sounds and stories that make it unforgettable!
Songs for dancing and partying
Songs for dramatic lip sync moments
Songs that feel empowering
Queer icons
SOPHIE
SOPHIE was a British music producer, songwriter, and DJ. At the start of her career, her identity was a bit of a mystery and speculation. She used voice-masking in interviews, had a drag performer mime her performance at a Boiler Room set, and she obscured herself in photos. However, in 2017, she released the ‘It’s Okay to Cry’ music video, which was widely interpreted as her publicly coming out as transgender, which SOPHIE later confirmed.
She was a trailblazer for electronica music, and her contributions to the scene and genre are unmatched. SOPHIE truly revolutionised dance and pop music and referred to it as her ‘chosen method of communication’ in an interview for Jezebel. As well as releasing her own music, she has worked with other artists like Madonna, Charli XCX, and Kim Petras – including producing XCX’s Vroom Vroom EP, making SOPHIE’s work in the music world even more iconic.
Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan is most known for her vivid, theatrical style of dress, embodying that of a drag queen, and her unapologetic embrace of queer identity. She is an American pop artist who moved away from conventional pop music and instead, leaned fully into a persona that reflects her individuality and lived experiences growing up in midwestern, religious America.
Influenced by camp and drag culture, her music explores love, identity and self-discovery. Chappell considers her music an escape for those who are forced to hide their own sexuality and identity, or a doorway for those who are exploring pride culture. Her music centres queerness openly and has become a distinctive and influential voice in modern pop music today.
Billy Porter
Billy Porter is an American singer and actor, most notable for his iconic red-carpet looks. He became a household name after wearing a tuxedo dress at the 2022 Oscars, a choice which spurned conversation about men’s fashion and the performance of masculinity. Porter has been a foundational LGBTQ+ icon who continues to revolutionise representations of gender, sexuality, and race. His work on the TV series, Pose, made him the first openly gay Black man to win a lead actor Emmy.
Porter’s advocacy began in the 1980s, amidst the AIDS crisis. He moved to New York to pursue his singing career and quickly became an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and racial equality. Despite facing extreme discrimination throughout his career, Porter grew motivated to do things differently. His intention to freely express himself and provide others the confidence to do same has impacted many, and lead to his inclusion on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in 2020.
Now that you have the perfect playlist for you pride parties – and have some icons to celebrate – in the words of RuPaul, you better work!