(Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Women in music have evolved remarkably with the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, making it significant to learn about this community’s impact on women along with the rest of the world.
The growth of trans women in music isn’t as acknowledged, or appreciated, as it should be. Take a look at nine trans artists you should know and add their music to your playlists.
This post was inspired by @iamlexchandra, who created the original list on Instagram.
Star Amerasu
If you are looking for meaning behind the lyrics, look no further than the Oakland-based singer and producer Star Amerasu. Star produces indie electronic music, under the moniker Ah-Mer-Ah-Su, about her experience as a queer Black trans woman. Her debut album “Star” was in the top 20 LGBT albums of 2018 voted by Billboard music critics. Since 2012, she has been performing in theatre, music, and dance productions. Her most recent musical work, “Incandescent Body,” in 2019 featured Star’s discography orchestrated, which was achievable by the funding of Women’s Audio Mission.
Nomi Ruiz
Nomi Ruiz is the girl to go for hip hop, freestyle, and house music. The Brooklyn, New York native is a singer, songwriter, and actress who shifted the modern landscape of music with her debut album “Lost in Lust,” a mix of R&B, soul, and hip hop. After appearing on Hercules and Love Affairs’ self-titled debut album, she emerged into electronic dance music as she continues to venture into this genre under Jessica 6. Nomi has also regularly conversed about discrimination in the music industry in her published essays on several topics: sex, gender identity, feminism, etc.
She also stars in the movie “Haymaker.”
Juliana Huxtable
Juliana Huxtable has a multitude of professions including DJ, writer, performer, and co-founder of Shock Value, a nightlife project in New York. She utilizes music and other platforms like social media to create identity in modern society. She also uses her platforms to discuss topics about media, history, body, and more through a process she refers to as conditioning.
Honey Dijon
Looking for more women with a number of positions in the music industry? Honey Dijon is renowned for not sticking to only one genre as she cross-genre sets and is a producer, DJ and electronic musician. Born in Chicago, she has performed worldwide at fashion events, clubs, galleries and much more. She even collaborated with designer labels such as Dior and Louis Vuitton by producing soundtracks for the fashion shows.
She released her debut album “Best of Both Worlds” in 2017.
Mila Jam
Do you have a love for pop music? Well, Mila Jam is the perfect fit as she is a YouTube sensation who shifted into the world of pop artistry turning her into an NYC original artist. She is known for her stage presence and authentic music videos.
Jasmine Infiniti
Another DJ who doesn’t reside in one genre, New York native Jasmine Infiniti blends ballroom, house, techno, and hip hop beats in her musical productions. Her debut album, “BXTCH SLAP,” was loaded with techno and ballroom beats in a more demonic manner. In the Bronx, she is known as the Queen of Hell.
Ahya Simone
A Detroit-based instrumentalist, Ahya Simone is a harpist, singer and artist. She was the principal harpist for the Wayne University Wind Symphony, her alma mater. Ahya has performed for Louis Vuitton’s Men Fall/Winter 2021-2022 Show. She is also the creator of an upcoming fictional web series about four Black trans women in Detroit, “Femme Queen Chronicles.”
Mykki Blanco
Mykki Blanco is a rapper who released her debut album, “Mykki,” a year after her announcement of testing HIV-positive in 2015. She has collaborated with many recording artists, one including Kanye West on the track “Bye Bye Baby.”
Shea Diamond
ShaGasyia Shea Diamond is a songwriter, singer, and transgender activist who musically covers the soul and R&B genre but also includes folk, hip hop, rock and blues.
Shea’s influences are Tina Turner and Whitney Houston.