Trans women have enjoyed a long history in the music industry, and an equally long history of pushing that industry forward. In the 1960s there was the legendary Jackie Shane, an openly trans Black soul singer who made waves across Canada with her hit “Any Other Way” and her unapologetic, unashamed live performances. Europe has had stars like Coccinelle and Amanda Lear, who worked as models and singers in mid-century France. More recently, artists like Anohni, Laura Jane Grace, and Katey Red have found success in genres from art pop to punk to New Orleans bounce.

Today, a new generation of young trans women are rising up and taking over the pop music game. Beyond being relatable to an increasingly queer Gen Z, these stars are by and large bringing a vulnerable, honest approach to their music, a perfect salve for a daily news cycle full of liars and abusers. And whether they’re hitting magazine covers or Times Square billboards, writing top 10 hits or working with A-List producers, this new class is quickly proving that they’re among the new vanguard of pop. Below, we rounded up seven rising trans pop stars you need to know.

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SHEA DIAMOND

Shea Diamond exploded onto the scene in 2016 with her scathing yet molasses-sweet soul single “I Am Her.” With lyrics like “Don't care too much what other people say/I get along swell by my goddamn self/Never asked for no one's philosophy/It's obvious I'm proud of me,” the song tackles identity and self-esteem in unabashed terms. She’s released a string of pop-friendly soul hits since, like “American Pie,” “Good Pressure,” and the devastatingly sexy “Keisha Complexion” — music that’s largely about about loving herself as a Black trans woman, and is usually as political as it is catchy. With superstar producer Justin Tranter (Janelle Monae, Selena Gomez, Ke$ha) an avowed fan and new collaborator, Diamond’s star is poised to rise even higher. Just don’t expect her to let you forget the person behind the music on the way.