2024 was the year pop music really came back, in no small part due to the efforts of Chappell Roan and Charli XCX. But this was also the year Lady Gaga went back to her dark pop roots, and Billie Eilish shared her deep sapphic desire with the world. These were the best LGBTQ+ music moments of 2024.
Those Gay-Ass VMAs
Chappell Roan performing in a suit of armour, Sabrina Carpenter making out with an alien, and Taylor Swift posing for a photo with drag queens? Pop culture’s biggest annual bash truly out-camped itself this year, and for that we are ever thankful.
Kesha Finally Gaining Her Musical Freedom
After reaching a settlement with Dr Luke and completing her contractual obligations, Kesha finally gained her freedom – and immediately set to work treating her fans to new music. Joyride wasn’t just a pop bop, it marked the start of a triumphant new era for mother.
Tinashe’s Search For A Freak Match
Tinashe, you ate with that. Nasty may be a simple song, but it’s also an irresistable slut drop banger. The whole world threw it back for two weeks while Nasty circulated around TikTok, certifying summer 2024’s status as the season being horny returned.
Billie Eilish Coming Out And Dropping Two Sapphic Bangers
Billie Eilish shared her Queerness in a Variety profile in December 2023, saying: “I didn’t realise people didn’t know.” After the release of Lunch and her guest appearance on Guess, both of which went into graphic detail about what she likes to do to vulvas, Billie really became the poster child for sapphic summer sing-a-longs.
Sweat Tour At Madison Square Garden
There were few cultural phenomenons as powerful as Brat this year, but the moment this power peaked was the New York night of Sweat Tour. Double headliners Troye Sivan and Charli XCX were joined by Addison Rae and Lorde, to make the ultimate 2024 Queer pop supergroup. I will hate anyone that got to witness this historical moment forever.
The Return Of Freaky Gaga
Weirdo Gaga: It wasn’t the same without you. After she left her LinkedIn boss babe era, we finally got Lady Gaga acting like a weirdo again (e.g. showing up to the Chromatica Ball film premiere wearing a car door). One Joker companion album later, she dropped her best single in years: Disease. Yes Gaga, you look so good as the cunty plague doctor!
Non-Binary Artists Dominate At Eurovision
In spite of controversy, Eurovision did give us an incredible night for Non-Binary artists, with Ireland’s Bambie Thug placing sixth, and Nemo of Switzerland winning with The Code. The song was a tribute to breaking gender norms and binaries, and made Nemo the first enby artist to win the song contest.
JoJo Siwa’s Hurricane Of Camp (And Titos!)
This was the year Dance Moms child star JoJo Siwa forged a whole new image, blessing us with rainbow rhinestones and famously forging the entirely new genre of “Gay pop” (lol). Following a summer tour of Pride events and a stop by Mighty Hoopla, JoJo moved from meme to Queen. A bottle of Titos hates to see her comin’!
Beyoncé Championing The Black Gaze In Country Music
When Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter, she ensured the Black history of country music would never be erased again. With contributions from Dolly Parton, Willy Nelson and Linda Martell, Cowboy Carter was a true dedication to the greats. The album also led to a 326% surge in sales of cowboy hats.
Everyone Simping For Sabrina Carpenter
Thank you, Sabrina Carpenter, for bringing pure, indulgent sex appeal back to music. The omnicience of Espresso was unstoppable this summer, but it was the Jenna Ortega makeouts, rhinestone bath towels and Britney-esque stage humping which really made Sabrina our new short and sweet hero.
Chappell Roan’s Unstoppable Rise And Boundary Setting
Pop culture really belonged to one person in 2024: Chappell Roan. Between January and December, her monthly Spotify listeners increased by 40 million, and not since early Gaga have so many iconic looks been seen in one album cycle. But her outspoken boundary setting with fans and the media really set Chappell apart as a star. She made clear that abuse for likeability isn’t a fair trade, which only made everyone love her more.
