Music can often chase away the blues, which, at the end of this year, you may be feeling. With that in mind, we've compiled for you a list of LGBTQ and allied Latinx performers.
Puerto Rican Kany Garcia surprised many by coming out a day before Valentine’s day, introducing fans to her girlfriend on social media. Her album titled Limonada debuted at number 1 in June this year. In keeping with her exploration of the bitter and the sweet, her song Cómo Decirle gives voice to a woman contemplating ending a relationship.
Gema Corredera’s album Feeling Marta is a jazz-influenced collection of songs in honor of Cuban composer Marta Valdés. In the video for one of the tracks “Sin ir más lejos” a woman moves backwards through rooms to illustrate the lyrics of the song that Corredera sings “the world is backwards/ it turns out that you love me.” The video ends with the woman embracing her female lover.
Edna Vazquez’s music resonates with trova, mariachi, pop, alternative and her love of her native Jalisco. In "Corazonada," her latest effort she sings “I'm turning my heart around, cleaning myself of the fog induced by reason, I regret nothing, I have a heartfelt premonition.” The Portland-based musician performs throughout the country and you can find her at the beginning of the year back in Portland, on January 6th at the Aladdin Theatre.
Newly-engaged singer Ricky Martin, of course, always has songs to add to a New Year's Eve playlist, like "La Mordidita" from his last album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar. We'll also be listening to lots of great LGBTQ allies, like:
- Juanes (the rock star participated in the "Hands" single, an effort by songwriter Justin Tranter to raise funds to fight for LGBTQ acceptance in light of the tragic events at Latin night at Pulse.);
- Lila Downs and Ozomatli (both the Oxacan songstress and the Los Angeles based band participated in Spirit Day this year turning their social media purple to support LGBTQ youth);
- Julieta Venegas (the singer/songwriter joined other celebrities in Mexico to speak out on her social media against the anti-LGBTQ marches taking place throughout the country in the fall);
- Los Tigres del Norte (the norteño band continues the support they demonstrated with their inclusive song “Era Diferente” last year by supporting an out gay man, Anuar, on the singing competition La Voz Mexico.)
These uplifting performers can provide a soundtrack that helps fight back the blues and inspires resistance in the year to come.
