This list breaks down 20 non-binary singers and musicians you should know. As our society becomes ever more progressive and accepting of people of all genders and sexualities, we’ve seen an increase in musicians who have come out – identifying as non-binary. 

Thanks to this cultural evolution, the world unlocked music that may have previously been pushed to the wayside. Let’s check out some of the best!  

20. Eliot Sumner

Eliot Sumner is a non-binary singer who has been performing and releasing music since the early 2010s. They rose to fame after the release of their debut solo Album Information and supplying vocals for other musicians’ records such as ‘End of the Road’ by Sway and ‘Splash’ by Sub Focus. Fans have praised Sumner’s vocals exhibited on the album as well as the themes presented throughout. 

Eliot Sumner came out as non-binary in 2015 and ever since, has been an outspoken advocate for the non-binary community, speaking out about gender in music and the importance of visibility.

19. Tash Sultana

Tash Sultana is a non-binary artist who has been creating music since an early age and has often been referred to as a “one-person band.” Their unique sound and style of blending different genres has gained them a large following, several albums and international success. Sultana’s 2016 single ‘Jungle’ gained international prominence after placing third in Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown of 2016. 

Tash Sultana has toured the world, performing at festivals and concerts. Their music is known for its emotionally charged lyrics and captivating melodies, making them one of the most popular non-binary artists today. 

18. Kehlani

Kehlani has been in the music industry for over ten years. They started their career as a singer-songwriter and eventually became a successful R&B artist. Their debut mixtape Cloud 19 was critically acclaimed, receiving a place in Complex’s 50 Best Albums of 2014 list.

Kahlani was nominated for the Grammy Award for their 2015 album You Should Be Here which was praised for Kehlani’s dynamism despite being only 19 years old. 

In 2018, Kehlani came out as non-binary, and since then, has been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. They have used their platform to discuss their own experiences with gender identity and to promote inclusivity and acceptance.

17. Olly Alexander

Olly Alexander got their start as the lead singer of the band Years & Years. After coming out as queer, Alexander went on to explore their identity further and publicly identified as non-binary later on. This was followed by an array of solo projects, including a series of singles and a short film called Olly Alexander: Growing Up Gay.

Alexander’s music has since been celebrated for its honest and powerful lyrics that explore the complexities of identity and self-acceptance. Alexander won the LGBT Celebrity of the Year award at the British LGBT Awards and has been praised for his acting work, most notably for his role in Channel 4 drama It’s a Sin.

16. Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe’s 2010 debut album, The ArchAndroid, was an ambitious concept album that explored themes of love, identity, and freedom. It was a critical success and established Monáe’s career as an artist. The record sold over 20,000 copies in its first week and peaked at number four on Billboard’s US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Janelle Monáe publicly came out as non-binary in 2020, but they had been exploring gender identity and expression in their art since the beginning of their career. Since then, Monáe has released numerous albums and starred in various films while continuing to explore themes of identity, gender, and freedom in their art.

15. King Princess

King Princess, aka Mikaela Straus, is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Brooklyn, NY. They first gained attention in 2018 when her debut single, ‘1950,’ quickly gained international success, reaching number seventeen in the US charts and going two-times platinum in Australia. Since then, they have released two albums, Cheap Queen and Hold on Baby. 

Although not explicitly saying they’re non-binary, King Princess has said “I’m somebody who falls centre on the gender spectrum, and it changes day to day. It’s just not in me to decide,” expressing their gender fluidity.

14. Planningtorock

Gender-nonconforming artist Planningtorock has had a successful music career since their emergence in 2006. Not only have they come out as non-binary, but their music has also been a source of inspiration for many in the LGBTQ+ community. Planningtorock uses distorted vocals, expanding the limits of music which reflects on the artists’ themes.

Their 2014 album All Love’s Legal is their biggest success to date with many critics praising it and fans, most notably those in the LGBTQ+ community appreciating the gender politics laced throughout. Planningtorock is still working on their music, most recently releasing the album Deutsche Grammophon in May 2022. 

13. Frances Quinlan

Grammy-nominated, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Frances Quinlan released their debut solo album, Likewise, in 2020. Since then, they have become a major part of the indie music scene. Frances Quinlan is also known for fronting Philadelphia indie rock band Hop Along who have been present in the music industry since 2005.

Quinlan first came out as non-binary in 2021 through a series of tweets. Although released a year earlier, the artist’s album Likewise alludes to love and expression in a very open manner. It discusses themes such as loving with compromise and the idea of almost understanding someone.

12. Chris Pureka

Chris Pureka is an American singer-songwriter who has been making music since 2001. In 2020, they came out as non-binary, confirming their they/them pronouns. Their music discusses personal interactions on a much more case-by-case basis rather than focusing on LGBTQ+ as a whole. 

Chris Pureka has released 9 albums and EPs throughout their career, most recently releasing The Longest Year in 2021. Their early albums earned rave reviews from both fans and critics and have won them several awards. They’ve even been compared to the likes of a young Bruce Springsteen! 

11. Angel Haze

Angel Haze is a musician who has made waves in the industry with their talent, versatility, and courage to be their authentic self. Born as Raykeea Wilson, Angel Haze came out as non-binary in 2015, publicly embracing their gender identity and using they/them pronouns.

Throughout their career, Angel Haze has collaborated with renowned artists such as Sia, Rudimental, and Stromae. Their talent as a rapper and singer has garnered critical acclaim and accolades, with notable achievements including MTV Video Music Award and BET Hip Hop Awards nominations.

Angel Haze’s impact extends beyond their music, as they continue to use their platform to advocate for social justice and raise awareness about important issues.

10. Left at London

Left at London, also known as Nat Puff, has been making waves with their unique sound and unapologetic authenticity. Since coming out as a non-binary trans lesbian, their journey of self-discovery has resonated with many fans, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community.

Left at London’s debut album, T.I.A.P.F.Y.H., released in 2021, received positive reviews and cemented Left at London as a serious music maker. The artist has gained recognition for their unique sound and poignant songwriting and has been praised for its vulnerability, wit, and ability to explore complex emotions in a relatable way.

9. Arca

Arca’s debut album, Xen, was released in 2014.  While the album didn’t achieve mainstream commercial success, it is a deeply personal and introspective album, exploring themes of identity, vulnerability, and transformation, and it was highly-praised by critics. She has also co-produced many albums for other artists including FKA Twigs, Kanye West, and Björk.

Arca came out as non-binary in 2018, embracing her gender identity and going by she/her pronouns. Her decision to publicly share her identity resonated deeply with many, bringing visibility and representation to the forefront.

8. G Flip

G Flip, aka Georgia Flipo, is an accomplished musician known for their unique style and infectious pop sound. G Flip publicly came out as non-binary in 2021 which was met with widespread support.

One of G Flip’s most popular releases to date is the single ‘Drink Too Much.’ Released in 2019, the track showcases their songwriting skills, heartfelt lyrics, and dynamic vocals. ‘Drink Too Much’ resonated with audiences around the world, earning critical acclaim and reaching number six on the Triple J Hottest 100 list, and was certified platinum.

The success of this single helped establish G Flip as a rising star in the music industry.

7. Dorian Electra

Dorian Electra’s musical journey began in their teenage years when they started experimenting with music production and songwriting. Drawing inspiration from a variety of genres, Electra’s music blends elements of pop, electronic, and experimental sounds. In 2019, the artist released their debut album Flamboyant which discusses themes of masculinity and queerness. The album was included in Paper’s Best Albums of 2019 list at number five. 

Dorian Electra has described themselves as genderfluid and queer, not conforming to any specific gender. They express this not only through their music but in their fashion and aesthetic, openly creating looks that don’t fall on one gender.

6. Christine and the Queens

Armed with a childhood interest and talent for classical music, Christine and the Queens, born Héloïse Letissier, played small clubs in Lyon before devoting themselves fully to music. Born in France, Letissier was ranked number one in Vanity Fair’s most powerful and influential French people who “promote French genius” in 2016. 

Héloïse Letissier’s debut album Chaleur humaine (2014), received critical acclaim, reaching number two in both the UK and France. Their second album Chris (2018), was named Album of the Year by Clash, The Independent, and The Guardian. In 2019, Letissier came out as gender-queer, going by all pronouns, and expressing their chaotic relationship with gender.

5. Shamir

Shamir Bailey, known as Shamir, is an American singer-songwriter from Las Vegas. In 2015, he stated that he doesn’t identify as either male or female but also doesn’t go by they/them, preferring either he/him or she/her. 

Shamir is known for his androgynous voice and sits somewhere between a feminine and masculine sound. His debut EP Northtown was released in 2014, and he went on to sign a contract with XL Recordings. Since then, he has released several independent studio albums and also published a book. Despite mental health battles and almost quitting music altogether, Shamir has created an impressive discography of indie, electro, and pop tracks. 

4. Dua Saleh

Born in Minnesota, Dua Saleh began their career writing poetry and eventually released a demo in 2017. They released their debut EP Nūr in 2019 which received critical acclaim. Saleh’s music has been categorised as rap, pop, and R&B, finding their sound after listening to 1990s hip hop. 

For those unaware of their music, you may be more familiar with Dua Saleh’s acting career. The artist starred in the third series of Netflix’s Sex Education playing non-binary character Cal Bowman. Saleh is non-binary themselves, using they/them pronouns, and claims to have known they fell somewhere on the spectrum from an early age.

3. Demi Lovato

Many will know Demi Lovato as a Disney Channel actor turned pop star, appearing in many TV shows and films including the Camp Rock series. Although widely known through their teens as a female, the artist came out in May of 2021 as non-binary.

Demi Lovato has released multiple studio albums with their debut album Don’t Forget reaching number one on the US Billboard 200. Their fifth studio album Confident saw them nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. In total, Lovato has sold over 24 million records in the United States and has had several award nominations and wins.

2. Ashnikko

Ashton Nicole Casey, known professionally as Ashnikko, is an American singer and rapper whose music has recently become prominent after clips of their tracks trended on TikTok. Their songs ‘Daisy’ and ‘Slumber Party’ have reached huge audiences thanks to the social media platform which has aided in the musician’s rise to stardom. 

In 2021, Ashnikko came out as genderfluid on Twitter, announcing it sooner than the singer was planning after much speculation across the internet. In the same year, the artist won a Music Week Award for Music & Brand Partnership for their collaboration with Beats By Dre. 

1. Sam Smith

In recent years, Sam Smith has been making headlines for their outlandish rebrand and performances. Love or hate them, Smith has become a huge star, most recently releasing the track ‘Unholy’ with Kim Petras which became their first number one single. The track topped the charts in the US, the UK, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, and won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. 

In May 2014, Sam Smith initially came out as gay and has since been finding out more about their gender and sexuality. In 2017, the singer announced themselves as genderqueer and then confirmed their non-binary identity in 2019, using they/them pronouns. In total, Smith has won five Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, and an American Music Award. 

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