Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be 50 Essential Albums by LGBTQ Artists, representing a varied cross-section of genres, styles and time periods. Considering that the qualifier “LGBTQ” can often be open to various interpretations, for the purposes of this particular list, we have defined an artist as LGBTQ if he, she or they have ever publicly identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer. Moreover, albums by groups have been included in the list if any of their members fit the aforementioned criteria, even if some members do not.
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MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO | Bitter
Maverick (1999)
Selected by Quentin Harrison
One of the preeminent champions of the neo-soul movement in its earliest incarnation, Meshell Ndegeocello’s grasp of funk, jazz, rock, blues and hip-hop was nonpareil. Bitter—Ndegeocello’s third album—saw the bassist, vocalist and lyricist continue to carve a wholly singular lane for herself. The stirring, string laden opener “Adam” sets Bitter to a midtempo-to-balladic gait for Ndegeocello’s tales of woe and heartbreak that are put to action compellingly in acoustic, orchestral R&B and funk sonics.
LISTEN: