Earthtonesss

1998

They gave me a number to shoot for.  It was about twice than what I had been making at the time.

So I went online, did some research, found some figures backing up my claim, put it all together and went to my boss.

I got what I asked for.

If it hadn’t been for that person in accounting telling me I was way underpaid, I’d have never known.  I went from barely scraping by to being able to have a savings account and getting all my debts paid thanks to them.

Some black lgbt artists to celebrate during pride month!

Lesbian:

Tiffany Gouche - r&b singer who routinely uses she/her in her songs, listen when you want to feel extra gay and relaxed

Syd/the internet - she fronts the band the internet but also makes her own stuff under Syd, r&b music

be steadwell - singer-songwriter, has an album called “queer love songs” that should be on all our pride playlists

Siya - rapper and honestly is any rap better than lesbian rap? I think not. Try “dreaming outro” and “box”

Young M.A - rapper, give “bonnie” a listen

Melange Lavonne - rapper/hip-hop artist

Doria Roberts - the person who started the #ThisIsWhatALesbianLooksLike, catchy folk/jazz music, wife!!! Has a wife!!!

Amandla Stenberg - played rue in the hunger games, gal pals with king princess, give “let my baby stay” a listen

Gay:

Mykki Blanco - rapper, now identifies as a “femme gay man” and uses he/him pronouns, says “I am a gay man but my trans journey is who I am.”

Kevin Abstract - member of brockhampton, his solo stuff is awesome, “American Boyfriend” is rap for if you don’t like rap

KAYTRANDA - Haitian-Canadian DJ and record producer, part of the hip hop duo The Celestics

Big Freedia - a gay man but does not prefer a particular pronoun, called the queen of bounce

Le1f - rapper and producer, vocal about racism and sexuality in his music

Bisexual/Pansexual:

Princess Nokia - bi hip-hop artist, “little angel” was a blessed song and also it makes me cry

Chynna - bi lady, rap music that I REALLY like, “bets” is probably her gayest song

Taylor Bennet - bisexual rapper, one of my favorite male rappers actually, even if you don’t like rap you’ll like “broad shoulders”

Janelle Monae - Pan/bi, hip hop inspired alternative pop, just listen to everything she’s ever released

Angel Haze - Pansexual Nonbinary rapper

Meshell Ndegeocello - bisexual, has a wife and kids!!!! Her music is really interesting and unique but lady hip hop artists are always awesome so that doesn’t surprise me

Azealia Banks - bisexual, listen to 212

Queer/Unlabelled:

Kehlani - Queer, r&b tinged pop music, listen to “honey” and the song she did with Hayley Kiyoko

Kodie Shane - queer rapper, described her sexuality as “open minded” and like 90% of her music is about girls

Tiara Thomas - doesn’t like to label her sexuality, r&b/hip-hop, retro 1’s is the gayest song and also my favorite

Frank Ocean - prefers not to label his sexuality and actively rejects labels, r&b singer, basically changed my entire life and his music makes me feel so relaxed and happy

Tracy Chapman - never publicly stated her sexuality but was in a relationship with a woman, folk music, often called a “private lesbian” and literally all her songs are lesbian anthems so definitely listen to them

Transgender/Nonbinary:

Angel Haze - nonbinary pansexual rapper

Shea Diamond - she’s very active in advocating for lgbt rights and makes soul rooted music that incorporates blues, folk & gospel

Noirbnb….like Airbnb, minus the racism.