Black queer artists continue to shape the cultural landscape through bold storytelling, innovative visuals, and transformative sound. Their work not only reflects personal journeys but also amplifies the voices of marginalized communities. Here are five artists pushing boundaries and making waves in their respective fields.
Sophia Yeshi (Illustrator & Graphic Designer)
Sophia Yeshi is a queer Black & South Asian illustrator and graphic designer based in Brooklyn, NY. A digital native, she discovered Photoshop at 12 while growing up in Baltimore, Maryland. Her work shines a light on Black women, women of color, and LGBTQIA+ individuals who are bold, dynamic, and unapologetic. Defined by joyful figures, vibrant colors, and organic shapes, her art captures the energy of empowerment. Yeshi has collaborated with brands such as UPS, Adobe, Netflix, Spotify, and Madison Square Garden, creating culturally relevant work centered on LGBTQIA+ pride, mental health awareness, and support for underrepresented business owners. Sophia Yeshi
Murjoni (Sculptor & Visual Artist)
Murjoni is a visionary sculptor who crafts striking ceramic pieces that center Black identity, queerness, and self-expression. Based in the DMV area, her work explores themes of beauty, body politics, and individuality, often challenging societal norms about Black bodies and gender identity. Through her textured, life-like sculptures, Murjoni captures raw emotion and lived experience, giving voice to often overlooked narratives. Her pieces have been showcased in galleries nationwide, drawing attention for their authenticity and deeply personal storytelling. Murjoni
Erica Mason (Musician & Mental Health Advocate)
Erica Mason is an award-winning hip-hop and R&B artist whose music is a testament to personal growth and healing. With a passion for empowering people to embrace their true selves, she launched a mental health clothing brand that quickly scaled to a quarter of a million dollars in its first year. Her viral hits, including Addicted to My Phone, Unappreciated, and Better, have earned her a dedicated following, with over half a million fans across social media. Mason’s transparency about her struggles with mental health, suicide, and depression has allowed her to build genuine connections with her listeners. She has performed on BET, charted #1 on Amazon Music, and ranked in the Top 20 on iTunes. Beyond music, she partners with nonprofit organizations to spread awareness and hope. Erica Mason
K.SOLE (Musician & Producer)
K.SOLE doesn’t just make music—she creates immersive sonic experiences. Her sound is smooth, cinematic, and deeply personal, blending classic R&B undertones with a future-facing edge. Raised in NYC and now shaping her vision in LA, she crafts records that are raw yet effortless, intimate yet commanding. Her music lingers like a late-night confession, leaving a lasting impression. With a voice that cuts through the noise and production that feels both nostalgic and new, K.SOLE is redefining what it means to be a queer artist in today’s music industry. K.SOLE
Siyabonga Ntuli (Filmmaker & Documentarian)
Born and raised in Soweto, Johannesburg, Siyabonga Ntuli is a filmmaker and documentarian whose work captures the intersection of sports, culture, and identity. With a background in film, broadcasting, and journalism, she has built a career showcasing the human stories behind athleticism and competition. She produced LIT, an LGBTQIA+ documentary that focuses on intersex and transgender narratives, successfully screening across four of South Africa’s nine provinces and at festivals like Kasie Queer Cinema Festival and a film festival in Botswana. Committed to pushing the boundaries of authentic storytelling, Ntuli strives to amplify underrepresented voices through her powerful visual narratives.
These five artists are redefining their respective industries, using their platforms to tell stories that matter. Whether through visual art, music, or film, their work continues to inspire and challenge the status quo, proving that Black queer voices are essential to the creative world.