Latinx artists who are also a part of the LGBTQIA+ community are making waves and inspiring positive change within the Latin music scene. Following Puerto Rican icon Ricky Martin coming out as gay in 2010, a new wave of LGBTQIA+ Latinx musicians are proud to express who they are through their songs.
The past decade has seen LGBTQIA+ musicians across Latin America and the U.S. rising to the top of the charts while expanding representation for the community. Brazilian superstar Anitta, who is openly bisexual, scored one of the biggest hits of last year with the sensual "Envolver." At the 2023 GRAMMY Awards, she was also nominated for Best New Artist alongside Mexican American singer Omar Apollo. On his debut album Ivory, the musician embraced his gay identity. His breakthrough single "Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me at All)" became his first song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Musicians with queer identities and varied gender expressions are continuing to gain streams and supporters. As an openly bisexual artist, Dominican rapper Tokischa is globalizing dembow music with help from artists like Madonna, Rosalía, and Marshmello. Mexican singer Bruses is bringing an alternative spin to Latin music while singing about her experiences as an openly lesbian woman. Conexión Divina is proudly queering the Regional Mexican music scene with their confessional songs.
In celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month this year, GRAMMY.com is putting the spotlight on six queer Latinx acts on the rise.
Tokischa
Tokischa is not afraid to push Latin music to daring places with songs that often celebrate sex-positivity. At the same time, the Dominican rapper is also bringing dembow, the music of her country, to the forefront.
Last year, DJ Marshmello enlisted Tokischa for the LGBTQIA+ anthem "Estilazo." His EDM edge met Tokischa's dembow flow as she sang in Spanish, "Long live homosexuality." Madonna also tapped Tokischa for a dembow remix of her classic song "Hung Up." Spanish pop star Rosalía worked with Tokischa twice, including on "La Combi Versace" from her award-winning Motomami album.
"I feel like I connect with the [LGBTQIA+] community by being who I am," Tokischa told Latina Magazine last year. "I’m this type of person that’s not so welcomed when it comes to society, or moral things, or behavior, or when it comes to what you do, so this rejection of my persona in society is just like what everyone else in the community experiences."
She is hard at work on her highly-anticipated debut album, which could drop in 2024.
Conexión Divina
In the Regional Mexican music space which has historically excluded women and LGBTQIA+ artists, Conexión Divina are fast-rising. The Mexican American trio of lead singer Liz Trujillo, who is openly gay, and Ashlee Valenzuela, who identifies as bisexual, are supported by bandmate Sandra Calixto, who is an ally to the community.
Since the release of their debut single "Odio" last year, Conexión Divina have proudly expressed who they are through confessional songs. The "Odio" music video features the trio caught up in a love triangle that includes men and women. The "La Receta" video also features Trujillo with a female love interest. The band tackle the topic of people talking behind their backs in the fiery sierreño song "Se Rumora."
"We're showing a different side to women," Valenzuela told Teen Vogue last year. "That women are just not like this or that, so that everyone can connect." Trujillo added, "We definitely wanted to have some sort of representation of ourselves."
Ana Macho
Last year, Ana Macho made a splash with their breakthrough EP Realismo Mágico. The nonbinary artist put a colorful Latin pop twist on the music from their native Puerto Rico.
Ana Macho emerged in 2021 with Puerto Rican rapper Villano Antillano, teaming up on "Muñeca" — an empowering anthem about the experience of trans women. Macho has since released songs like the stunning "Amiga," their ode to femme camaraderie, and the explosive "Exclusivo" where they playfully critique consumerism in the Latin urban music scene.
Macho is currently working on their debut album that's due out later this year. "I am on a path to total world domination, honestly," they tell GRAMMY.com. "Now I want to keep growing and evolving in the career I've built. I'm so lucky to be able to make music for a living and travel the world being a popstar."
Yadam
Yadam is bringing emotional vulnerability to Latin pop music with his songs. The openly gay singer/songwriter was born in Venezuela and later moved to Paris. His music reflects that unique mix of Latin and European sounds.
Yadam launched his music career in 2022 with the single "Otras Mujeres," working on the flamenco-infused song with Sia and Christina Aguilera's close collaborator Samuel Dixon. From the get-go, Yadam was singing about the experience of having to be discreet about his crush on another man. In his newly released single "Beso," Yadam sings about the joy of getting to kiss the man of his dreams.
"It's the month of LGBTQIA+ Pride and I wanted to give you the song that makes me want to make me dance the most from this project because we are celebrating," Yadam shared in a statement. Both songs will be included on his debut album Belamor, which is due in September.
Nicole Zignago
After writing for artists like Sofía Reyes and Kenia Os, Nicole Zignago made her debut as an artist with last year's EP Así Me Siento Hoy. The openly queer singer/songwriter from Peru was nominated for Best New Artist at last year's Latin GRAMMY Awards.
Throughout the EP, Zignago explores a relationship from the giddy beginnings in the R&B-infused "Me Gusta Que Me Gustes" to the heartbreaking end. Backed by flamenco beats in "Feelings," she sang about getting played by another woman. She reunited with Reyes for the icy "Corazón Frío" where she exacted her revenge on an ex.
"Being Latina and queer and having a voice humbles me," Zignago told Rolling Stone last year. "It empowers me and makes me realize how much more space is needed. I really hope people feel represented by who I am."
Bruses
Bruses gave Latin music an alternative makeover last year with her debut album Monstruos. In her Twitter bio, the Mexican singer-songwriter refers to herself as an "emo lesbian queen." The unapologetic LP about celebrating being different earned Bruses a Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Pop/Rock Album.
Monstruos includes Bruses' rock anthem "I Like 2 Be" where she celebrated being queer. "I like to be who I am / Don't care about your words / I don't give a f— about your opinion," she sang. Now Bruses is teasing her upcoming EP Cuando Ella Me Besó, Probé A Dios with the synth-pop song "Más Que Amigas." She sings about falling for a female companion.
"I don't want to be a linear artist," Bruses told IndieRocks last year. "I don't want to do the same thing for the rest of my career. I have to be constantly changing, even in my personal life. I enjoy that, I like it, [and] it's part of who I am."