Pride is more than a month. It’s a mantra. A time to not only celebrate the LGBTQ+ community but also to remember how we have come.

When thinking of LGBTQ+ anthems, one may think of the grandiose divas that still fill nightclubs today. However, while those songs do deserve their place in history, in our minds, and in our hearts, we’ve compiled a list that represents various eras of music. From the likes of Beyonce to Whitney Houston to Janelle Monae to Sam Smith, and more.

So, join us below to see what R&B jams and sugar-Pop bops made the list this year.

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Rita Ora has debuted ‘Don’t Think Twice’ – the latest piece of her forthcoming studio album ‘You & I.’

The Pop chart-topper co-penned the track, which was produced by hitmaker Oak Felder.

Arriving on the heels of ‘You Only Love Me’ and ‘Praising You (ft. Fatboy Slim)’, the pulsating production has been paired with a compelling video shot by Academy Award winner (and Ora’s husband) – Taika Waititi.

A stunning continuation of Ora’s visual evolution, the clip (which was shot in New Zealand) sees the singer channel Katherine from Wuthering Heights while trapped in a ghostly forest. It explores the layered navigation of dreams and nightmares.

Speaking on the release, Ora said:

“Don’t Think Twice is about not thinking twice and just jumping in, romantically. You only live once, so it’s really about seizing the moment, and not being held back by thoughts of what might or might not happen.”

Watch the video below…

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Monica dropped jaws Friday (June 30) by releasing her new single, ‘Letters,’ with little warning.

Co-penned by fellow GRAMMY winner Ciara, the tune – reportedly among the gems set to line her long-awaited ninth studio album ‘Trenches‘ – tells the tale of missing the love of a man serving a prison sentence – a tale many know is close to Mo’s personal story.

“Тhеу ѕее уоu аnd ѕее а thug / І ѕее уоu аnd ѕее mу lоvе / Yоu rоll uр thеу runnіng ѕсаrеd / Вut mе І’m runnіng tо уоu wіth mу fеаrѕ / Аіn’t fоund nо оnе thаt саn mеаѕurе uр tо уоu,” she croons on the Tasha Catour-produced cut.

Just hours after she began raking in critical acclaim for the new cut, the songstress lifted the lid on its official accompanying music video starring Rap superstar The Game.

Conceptually reminiscent of her 2004 smash hit ‘U Should’ve Known Better’ (starring rapper Young Buck), see the cinematic ‘Letters’ visual inside.

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Shortly after delivering a June 24 ratings winner for Lifetime courtesy of her official biopic, ‘Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story,’ the songstress is looking for a similar response aboard Billboard charts with the new song ‘Forever Is a Thing.’

Produced by S1 and Sir Tim, the touching tune serves as a tribute to her late mother Frankie Lons and sees Cole reflect on the lingering pain of the loss.

“Shoulda known the day would come when you would go away / But I was too wrapped up in your love to ever know, how would I know?” she sings on tune’s heart-tugging chorus. “You were ready to leave / Am I just a fool / To ever think forever is a thing.”

And while it’s not immediately clear if the song will be included on Keyshia’s forthcoming “final album,” what is for sure is that it awaits inside for your listening pleasure.

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Cop a gander at Monica!

The veteran R&B diva, in full promotion mode in celebration of the June 24 premiere of her long-awaited Apple Music Radio show ‘Mo Talk,’ is expecting to hear even mo talk about the happenings of her career thanks to a stunning spread in ‘Essence‘ and the premiere of a brand spankin’ new single, ‘Letters.’

Details inside.

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Two years after breaking multiple GRAMMY, Billboard, and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) records with her debut album, ‘Sour,’ singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo recently turned heads with sweet news she’s ready to repeat the feat.

Returning with the new single, ‘Vampire,’ the song is set to take a bite out music charts as the leading release from her highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Guts‘ (due September 8).

The way you sold me for parts / As you sunk your teeth into me, oh / Bloodsucker, famef-cker / Bleedin’ me dry like a Godd-mn vampire,” she sings on the Daniel Nigro-produced cut.

Unveiled Friday (June 30) alongside a Petra Collins-directed music video, look inside to take a peek at ‘Vampire.’

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After ample teasing, stageblazer Ciara has unleashed ‘Get Loose,’ her highly anticipated duet with Indonesian hitmaker Agnez Mo.

The latter’s first taste of new music as a leading act since 2022’s ‘Boy Magnet,’ the 36-year-old joined forces with her GRAMMY-winning counterpart to unveil a sexy, yet mysterious visual decorated with homages to the underground dance scenes of different cultures.

A fitting choice for the pair as both have earned critical acclaim for their choreographed efforts over the years.

Look inside to see how explosively their powers combined aboard the ‘Loose’ accompanying music video directed by Loris Russier.

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Beyonce is two decades deep into her reign as music’s most revered royal and her dominance is still intensifying.

As reported, the European leg of the superstar’s blockbuster ‘Renaissance World Tour’ has bulldozed records and outgrossed the total gross of rival treks – before even making its way to North America.

Toasting the seismic achievement, Queen Bey unwrapped an array of celebratory snaps – including shots of herself in warm embrace with her hubby Jay-Z.

Check out more snaps below…

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Congratulations are in order for John Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen. 

Because just months after welcoming their daughter Esti, the couple has announced the birth of their fourth child – a baby boy who was born via surrogacy.

Full story below…

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Leigh-Anne Pinnock is ready for her close-up.

For over a decade, the Pop force lit up the charts as part of the trailblazing British group Little Mix and now she is charting her own course as a soloist. One with a vision and a mission,

After signing a seismic deal with Warner Records, Pinnock wasted no time unlocking her debut single ‘Don’t Say Love.’

A high-octane slice of slick Pop brilliance, the track sets the tone for what promises to be an eclectic and action-packed era for the star.

That Grape Juice‘s Patrick Buchanan sat down with Pinnock, who opened up about riding solo, her forthcoming studio album, motherhood, and much more.

Watch the EXCLUSIVE interview above.

Your thoughts?

Drew Sidora is sharing her reality on the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ but she’s not losing sight of her dream – music.

The singer/actress has made no secret of her desire to re-engage with her musical roots and is firing from all cylinders with her brand new single ‘Already Know.’

Produced by her now-estranged husband Ralph Pittman, the song sees Sidora serenade her lover and not hold back on the raciness either.

For the song’s accompanying video (which fans saw the making of on the latest episode of RHOA), Sidora is joined by the likes of co-stars Kenya Moore and Sanya Richards-Ross.

Watch the Dale “Rage” Resteghini-directed visual below…

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