Memphis has always been a city that pulses with musical soul, and our many LGBTQIA+ artists are turning up the volume with unapologetic pride. From R&B and hip-hop to genre-bending indie pop, these ten Memphis musicians continue to push the city’s music scene into new and exciting directions. This is your quick guide to just a few of the local artists who are shaking up the scene, amplifying queer voices, and turning every stage into a celebration. Whether youâre a longtime fan or looking to discover your next favorite artist, this list hits all the right notes.
Julien Baker
Arguably the most prominent queer musician to ever hail from Memphis, Julien Baker has carved out a powerful space in the indie rock world with her raw, confessional songwriting and haunting melodies. Her music often explores themes of faith, identity, addiction, and emotional survival, all delivered with an intensity thatâs both intimate and explosive. Whether performing solo or as part of the supergroup boygenius, Baker is a one-of-a-kind talent who continues to improve with each new project. If you havenât already cried to her celebrated debut Sprained Ankle or checked out her excellent new album with TORRES Send a Prayer My Way , nowâs the time to add her to your playlist.
Mama Honey
If youâre craving queer-leaning, soul-tinged punk blues with a Memphis twist, Mama Honey is where vintage grit meets fresh energy. This dynamic power trio is fronted by vocalistâguitarist Tamar Love, whose bold, expressive singing and songwriting bring both fire and vulnerability. Both proudly and unmistakably Memphis-rooted and queer, Mama Honeyâs live performances feel more like a communal uprisingâwild, heartfelt, and impossible to ignore.
Anna Rose Baker
Anna Rose Baker is a rising star in Memphisâs indie folk scene, weaving tender storytelling with a voice thatâs equal parts earthy and ethereal. A proud queer artist, Baker brings an intimate perspective to her songwriting, exploring love, loss, and self-discovery with quiet intensity and poetic grace. Her music often pairs stripped-down acoustic arrangements with haunting melodies that linger long after the last note. Whether playing solo sets at cozy local venues or collaborating with fellow Memphis musicians, Bakerâs authenticity shines through every lyric.
Wilson Good
Wilson Good is a genre-defying force, blending dreamy synth-pop with moody, cinematic flair. As a queer artist and skilled producer, Good crafts soundscapes that feel both nostalgic and futuristicâthink â80s heartbreak ballads with a modern, electronic pulse. Their lyrics often explore themes of gender, longing, and emotional dissonance, delivered with a vocal style thatâs soft, aching, and deeply human. Itâs music to get lost inâpreferably with headphones on and the volume way up.
Mak Ro
Mak Ro, the electrifying Memphis-based duo made up of cousins Kristoffer Ruaro and Eric Makapugay, have earned a dedicated following for their blend of infectious synth-pop and slick R&B. Together, they craft high-energy tracks that are equal parts danceable and emotionally rich, drawing inspiration from early 2000s pop, house, and modern electro. Kristoffer, who is queer, often writes about his own romantic experiences in his lyrics.
Alex da Ponte
Alex da Ponte is a Memphis-based trans man whose punchy pop-rock songs blend sharp lyricism, emotional nuance, and a healthy dose of wit. A longtime fixture in the local scene, Alex writes with disarming honesty about relationships, identity, and the messy beauty of growing into yourself. His soundâa mix of crunchy guitars, catchy hooks, and heartfelt storytellingâdraws from alt-rock and indie pop influences, but always feels uniquely his own.
Jordan Occasionally
Jordan Occasionally’s music radiates queer Black joy, resistance, and groove. Their eclectic style fuses R&B, neo-soul, disco, and funk into a silky, socially conscious soundscape. As a nonbinary artist, Jordan Occasionally uses their music to celebrate identity, explore love, and challenge normsâall with a voice thatâs as smooth as velvet. As anyone who has attended a JO concert knows, their live shows double as dance parties and affirmations. Whether youâre swaying in your room or sweating it out on the floor, Jordan Occasionally brings the kind of sonic freedom that feels both personal and revolutionary.
Lawrence Matthews
Lawrence Matthews–formerly known by his musical moniker Don Lifted– is a multidisciplinary artist whose work transcends easy categorizationâblending music, visual art, and activism into a deeply personal and culturally resonant practice. As a queer Black man from Memphis, Matthews explores themes of identity, mental health, and the Black Southern experience with poetic vulnerability and precision. Capable of creating both lush atmospherics and down-in-the-mud rap, Matthews remains one of the city’s most exciting musical talents.
Fosterfalls
Fosterfalls (they/them) brings a spellbinding touch of dreamfolk to Memphisâs queer music tapestry. Rooted in atmospheric guitar loops, meditative vocals, and lyrical nods to nature and introspection, Fosterfalls creates sonic spaces that feel both intimate and expansive . Their debut EP, “Somniscience” (a melding of âdreamâ and âknowingâ), offers a conceptual journey through the subconscious that is perfect for listeners seeking music that both soothes and challenges.
DJ AD
If you’ve been out in Memphis past 10PM over the past several years, the odds are good that you’ve danced to the music of DJ AD (whether you knew it or not). A fearless force behind the decks, AD is known for electrifying parties with mixes that fuse hip-hop, house, bounce, and ballroom into a seamless, body-moving experience. In addition to rocking the party, AD is a vocal advocate for safer, more affirming nightlife spaces for queer and trans people of color.
