Music serves as a sanctuary for individuals rebelling against societal pressures that seek to suppress gender nonconformity. Within the realm of music, drag is not an anomaly but a vibrant and liberating expression of identity. It empowers women to sing with bold masculine bravado and enables men to embrace ethereal femininity. However, beyond the stage and outside recording studios, these expressions of gender nonconformity were often perceived as a threat. Indeed, many countries implemented laws that outlawed 'sex perversion,' broadly encompassing any form of non-heterosexual sexual orientation or behaviours.
The music industry has consistently served as a crucial platform for reshaping our culture, challenging and redefining conventional gender roles, and setting influential trends. Rooted in the principles of creative expression and the freedom of speech, it stands as a fortress for artists and bands, providing a space to share their real-life experiences through the mediums of music, lyrics, and live performances. Popular music has perennially acted as a powerful vehicle for individuals to express themselves.
Despite these challenges, queer, trans, and gender nonconforming artists have always been present in the R&B, jazz, and rock and roll music landscape. They left an indelible mark, paving the way for the contemporary music scene to embrace gender non-conformity in mainstream pop music.
A relevant reminder, being gender nonconforming doesn’t necessarily mean you’re transgender or nonbinary, although you could be both. Nonbinary is an umbrella term when the gender identities that are not solely male or female.
The roots of blues as a cultural phenomenon can be traced back to Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, a Southern singer who, in 1923, secured a record deal with Paramount. She rapidly gained fame across the United States for her powerful and androgynous vocal prowess. Bessie Smith, a close friend and collaborator of Rainey's, initially auditioned for Rainey's band in 1911 and later soared to stardom upon signing with Columbia Records. Notably, both of these remarkable women were African American and identified as queer. Their music often conveyed themes of lesbian love through subtly veiled lyrics. For instance, in Sissy Blues," Smith celebrates feminine gay men: 'My man’s got a sissy / His name is Miss Kate / He shook that thing like jelly on a plate.' In the prewar United States, major record labels were willing to sell records with LGBTQ+ themes, particularly if they came from black women, whose voices and presences already deviated from mainstream norms.
In 1933, Billie Holiday embarked on her career. A non-conforming creative, she not only elevated the voices of her peers but also challenged gender diversity in jazz and popular culture as a bisexual black woman.
In 1938, at the tender age of twenty-three, gospel guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe recorded her music for the first time. Little did the world know that in the decades to follow, she would forge a unique electric guitar style, serving as a wellspring of inspiration for generations of future rock musicians. Tharpe, like her contemporaries, was also part of the queer community. In a groundbreaking twist, she took the electric guitar, a phallic symbol of traditional masculinity, and seamlessly incorporated it into her own trailblazing and gender-defying stage persona.
Between the 1940s and 1970s, Willmer Little Axe Broadnax & The Golden Echoes, known for hits like 'Lift Him Up' and 'You Are My Sunshine,' emerged as influential figures in Gospel Music. Despite being a transgender man, his contribution to the genre far outweighed any mystery surrounding his background.
The journey commences with the pioneering presence of queer black women, exemplified by the mentioned ones, as well as Lucille Bogan. These artists artfully threaded allusions to lesbian love and desire into their lyrics. The narrative then extends to Big Mama Thornton, who defied gender norms by donning suits and ties while delivering soulful renditions of rhythm and blues. Unfolding further, the contributions of queer black men, such as Esquerita and Little Richard, become prominent. These early American rock performers not only adorned their hair in extravagant heights but also elevated their silky falsettos to harmonize with it, leaving an indelible mark on the music landscape.
In the earlier parts of the 20th century, non-conformity served as the cradle of modern music. This trend continued to shape the trajectory of musical genres, culminating in the Rock N’ Roll, New-Age folk, and Punk movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Its essence with the nonconformity can be seen for example with the men with long hair, makeup and nail polisher, which defied the traditionalism in the formative years of rock and metal, between 1960s and 1980s. A worthwhile reminder is they were in high the charts and had a strong fanbase.
In 1969, the song 'Candy Says' was released, and in 1972, Lou Reed's 'Walk on the Wild Side' made reference to Candy Darling, a transgender actress. Lou Reed himself had a transgender partner, Mexican American Rachel Humphreys.
David Bowie initiated his career in 1962 and sadly concluded it in 2016 with his premature death. However, his legacy is eternal. Notably nicknamed the 'chameleon,' Bowie spent 54 years in the industry, showcasing a remarkable ability to metamorphose into a myriad of characters that reflected his innate and idiosyncratic sense of style. Beyond his shape-shifting persona, Bowie defined the glam rock scene, actively playing with gender norms. This experimentation is evident in the release of the album 'The Man Who Sold the World' in the 1970s and the 1974 song 'Rebel Rebel.' While not an overt activist, Bowie empowered queer individuals in a non-traditional manner, providing them with a sense of strength and identity, while challenging societal norms in relation to gender expectations.
In the song 'Get Back,' released in the 1970s as part of the 'Let It Be' album, The Beatles referred to and chronicled the lives of transgender people with the excerpt 'Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman. But she was another man.' Similarly, in the same year, The Kinks released 'Lola.' This song was written about a date between Ray Davies (vocalist and guitarist) and Candy Darling, where they went out to dinner together. Throughout the date, Davies was aware that Darling was transgender.
Joan Jett embodied female masculinity when she famously sang in the 1980s, 'I don’t give a damn about my reputation, you’re living in the past, it’s a new generation, and a girl can do what she wants to do, and that’s what I’m gonna do.' (Bad Reputation) It's crucial to remember that Jett faced significant adversity—rejected by over twenty record labels and defamed by former managers in the years following the break-up of her first band, the Runaways.
In 1984, Queen released 'I Want to Break Free,' a song with a music video that relies on its members crossdressing, thereby empowering transsexuality. It's worth mentioning that the original idea for the video was conceived by the bassist, and it parodied the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street.
In the late 1970s, the emergence of punk in the United Kingdom brought forth an 'anyone can do it' ethos, sparking significant contributions from women. The primary objective was to challenge the perspectives of those outside the subculture, with gender presentation and identity becoming key elements to be explored. Punk, in many ways, dismantled the conventional view of gender as a strict dichotomy. The punk scene witnessed a noticeable prevalence of cross-dressing, reflecting the subculture's inclination towards breaking traditional norms. The nature of punk culture empowered individuals to embrace a non-gender-conforming style, fostering creative expressions that challenged societal expectations. Examples of this non-gender-conforming style in punk include artists like Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex, who defied gender norms with her distinctive fashion and outspoken lyrics. Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees challenged conventional femininity through her androgynous style and powerful stage presence. Additionally, Viv Albertine of The Slits and Gaye Advert of The Adverts were instrumental in breaking gender barriers within the punk scene, showcasing a fearless and rebellious approach to their music and fashion that transcended traditional gender norms. These artists, among others, played pivotal roles in shaping punk as a subculture that encouraged a diverse and non-conforming approach to gender expression.
The 1990s was a dynamic period where artists from various genres collectively contributed to a more inclusive and diverse music landscape, pushing the boundaries of gender norms and paving the way for further exploration in subsequent decades.
The grunge and alternative scenes witnessed artists challenging traditional gender roles through androgynous fashion. Icons like Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder blurred the lines between masculine and feminine aesthetics, often wearing clothing traditionally associated with the opposite gender. Pop and R&B artists, including TLC and Aaliyah, embraced androgynous fashion, challenging the stereotypical gendered presentation in the music industry.
In the mainstream pop scene, artists like Prince and Michael Jackson continued to challenge gender norms. Prince, in particular, was known for his flamboyant style, blurring the boundaries of conventional masculinity and showing fluidity.
Electronic and dance music genres provided a platform for artists to experiment with gender expression. Acts like The Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk, with their emphasis on futuristic and otherworldly personas, contributed to a sense of gender ambiguity.
The 1990s saw an increase in LGBTQ+ representation. Artists like k.d. lang and Melissa Etheridge openly identified as queer, contributing to a more diverse representation within the music industry.
In R&B and New Jack Swing, artists like Boyz II Men and New Edition challenged traditional masculinity. Their emphasis on vocal harmony over aggressive masculinity offered a different perspective on what it meant to be a male artist in the R&B genre.
Female singer-songwriters like Alanis Morissette and Fiona Apple gained prominence. Their emotionally charged lyrics often delved into personal experiences and relationships, challenging traditional expectations for women in music. Some hip-hop artists of the 1990s, like Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, and TLC, challenged the male-dominated and often hyper-masculine narrative of the genre. They brought a fresh perspective and challenged gender norms within the hip-hop community. The Riot Grrrl movement emerged as a feminist response within punk rock. Bands like Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney addressed gender issues, feminism, and equality in their lyrics, challenging the male-dominated punk scene.
In 2009, the release of 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' and the 2020 show 'We’re Here' significantly contributed to bringing drag queens into mainstream popularity. Riding this wave, several names began to soar in their careers, including Pabllo Vittar, Glória Groove, Sam Smith, and Demi Lovato. In recent times, queer artists like MNEK, JGrrey, Tiana Major9, and Olly Alexander have actively curated and cultivated a queer audience by sharing their personal journeys within the LGBTQ+ community. Through their individual experiences and realizations of sexual fluidity, they represent just a few examples of young queer artists who are successfully attracting a diverse, fluid, and relatable audience.
In the 2010s, Laura Jane Grace emerged as an inspiring figure, liberating trans women through her music, which acted as a platform to educate and empower others. Notably, her band, Against Me!, released the album 'Transgender Dysphoria Blues,' which played a pivotal role in advocating for transgender rights. Simultaneously, Lady Gaga, widely regarded as the patroness of the LGBT+ community, embraced the trans cause in her anthem 'Born This Way.’ Both contributed to the unstigmatizing these experiences, while advocating their causes. As well as the rock pop singer P!nk with her persona and “F**kin’ Perfect.”
Evvan McIntosh's career soared to new heights with the viral success of their most popular song, 'What Dreams Are Made Of,' on TikTok. This track has amassed over 22 million streams on Spotify and is featured on their debut album, 'MOJO.' In 2021, they were on tour, promoting their latest EP, 'Character Development.’ Dreamer Isioma, another non-binary artist, is revitalizing the 90s R&B style. The Nigerian-American singer and rapper gained prominence when their song 'Sensitive' from their debut EP went viral on TikTok in 2020, mirroring McIntosh's trajectory. Notably, the track was also featured in the final season of Issa Rae's TV series, 'Insecure.’ Alongside this fame, debates have emerged.
However, even in the era of diversity and inclusion, the music industry continues to centre on the traditional gender binary, perpetuating oversexualization of females and hypermasculinity on the male side. Many music videos still revolve around the male gaze, casting men in active roles and women in passive ones, often with heteronormative lenses.
In the ever-evolving tapestry of music, where notes become a vessel for expression and rebellion, the journey towards embracing diverse identities continues. While notable strides have been made, the path towards inclusivity remains incomplete. As we navigate this 'glitch' in our societal matrix, a departure from traditional identities, it becomes imperative to recognize the profound power of representation in the media, particularly in music. Shockingly, over a third of UK residents, as of August 2023 statistics, remain unfamiliar with what transgender means, underscoring the ongoing need for awareness, advocacy and sensitive portrayals in the media, as the main source of the society's unconscious perceptions. Despite the progress achieved, minorities still grapple with formidable challenges such as employment barriers, limited access to medical care, homelessness, and discrimination. Hate and violence, whether verbal or physical, perpetuate harassment against them. This underscores the continued urgency for awareness and advocacy to reshape societal perspectives until acceptance becomes commonplace and normalization prevails — after all, they are humans. The power of music as a force for change persists. As we move forward, let's amplify voices that challenge norms, celebrate diversity, and inspire the next generation to envision a world where acceptance is not the exception but the rule — a world where every note, every lyric, echoes the harmonious chorus of a truly inclusive society.
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