P! nk‘s career has always been characterized by an underlying “f- you” attitude that runs through lots of her music. What’s more empowering than listening to an exotic dancer-turned-superstar rapper talk about being able to buy her own expensive things? The hook of the song sees Cardi brag about being able to afford multiple pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes - a Bronx status symbol that can cost upward of $1,000 for a good pair. Yes, whether you realize it or not, Cardi B‘s breakout banger is as empowering as it is electrifying. In a spoken interlude toward the end of the song, Santos delivers the statistic that more than 30 percent of young people who commit suicide every year are gay. Little Manuel’s happy ending serves as an inspiration for queer Latinx youth who may feel like they’ll never see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s no secret that Romeo Santos lives up to his name: Most of the songs in his repertoire tell stories about different girls he falls for. “No Tiene la Culpa” differs from anything else Santos has done in that it tells the story of a gay youth struggling to accept himself (at one point even considering suicide) and his journey that eventually ends in happiness. “Stronger,” the titular track from her 2011 album, is a manifestation of how she felt after emerging from what she calls “a very dark time.” It’s a simple idea, albeit a powerful one: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson has candidly discussed her mental health struggles as a result of pressure she felt to maintain a certain body image. The song has come to stand in for Mercury’s middle finger to all those who aimed to detract from his happiness. With rumors running rampant about Mercury’s sexuality at the time of the song’s release, the song held special significance. The theme of “Don’t Stop Me Now” is simple enough: He’s having a good time and doesn’t want anyone to stop his fun. When it comes to feeling empowered to live life as proudly as one chooses, no one’s attitude can compare to legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. The song’s message of unapologetic self-love and self-expression has since become a cornerstone for the contemporary queer rights movement the song itself has become a staple of pride parades around the world. In one of the loudest love letters to the LGBTQ community in music history, Lady Gaga assures all her fans that no one is excluded from Mother Monster’s love. It’s impossible to not feel galvanized by Monáe’s impassioned closing rap consisting of quick jabs of wisdom like “You can take my wings but I’m still gonna fly” and “Categorize me, I defy every label.” ?”Q.U.E.E.N.” – Janelle Monáe & Erykah Baduīefore Janelle Monáe starred in two award-winning films in the same year, she sang and danced alongside legendary soul crooner Erykah Badu in her “Q.U.E.E.N.” video. Monáe has stated in interviews that “Q.U.E.E.N.” (an acronym for Queer, Untouchables, Emigrants, Excommunicated and Negroid) was written for those who are ostracized and marginalized by the world we live in. Sia’s rallying cry of “You shoot me down but I won’t fall, I am titanium” became a unifying theme at the memorial for the Pulse nightclub shooting last year, where Sia teared up while performing the song.
Sia‘s soaring voice on David Guetta‘s dance-pop hit “Titanium” can make even the most timid person feel invincible - or, in this case, as impenetrable as titanium.