Women’s History Month, dedicated to celebrating the impactful contributions of women to society, can be best celebrated with some music. From songwriters and composers to instrumental performers and singers, women bring power into music.
We’ve put together a collection of various women with empowering lyrics and music that speaks for itself. Listen while you reflect on the amazing women in your life.
Elisapie (Bonsound)
Elisapie is an award-winning Candian Inuk singer-songwriter, filmmaker and activist. As an artist, Elisapie uses her creativity to spread awareness and engage in impactful conversation about the rights of Indigenous people, with a particular focus on Indigenous women. Her most recent album, Ballad of a Runaway Girl speaks to the challenges and mistreatment Inuit women and the impact of racial violence. Her music is a proud reflection of her heritage passed along through song, used to uplift and provide comfort to those who are often neglected or mistreated.
BABYMETAL (BABYMETAL/Cooking Vinyl)
Before they were even 10 years old the Japanese group, BABYMETAL stepped into a genre that has been largely dominated by men. Ten years later, BABYMETAL is headlining world tours, winning awards and redefining the expectations of the metal industry. Not only that, but the duo, composed of SU-METAL and MOAMETAL, also founded their own record label in partnership with Cooking Vinyl. Talk about making history…
Tora
Coined by i-D as ‘London’s mysterious queen of R&B,’ Tora dropped her first EP last May titled Cavalier including powerful tracks “Call Your Name,” “Vein” and “Escape Room.” Tora confronts the dynamics of power in “Call Your Name,” challenging the status quo while celebrating Black culture. Tora is always intentional with her choice of collaborators, enlisting friends such as young Nigerian artist Motherlan and director Aliyah Otchere to lead on many of her music videos.
The Aces (Red Bull Records)
Four band members, Katie Henderson, McKenna Petty, and sisters Alisa Ramirez and Cristal Ramirez, want you to know, “not all girls bands are the same.” The Utah band’s lyrics focus on freedom and taking on the world together as women. Their songs document what it means to grow into themselves and find their identities through adventure and relationships, and the empowerment of those experiences. The group challenges gender stereotypes that allow them to embody their vision of strong women.
Shadi G (Goldamin Records)
“The Wound is the Place Where Light Enters You” is not just a quote from a Persian poet or Shadi G’s album title, but her way of thinking, sympathizing, and empowering others. Incorporating Persian elements, she fuels her lyrics with stories, as she believes telling your story will empower you and inspire others. Her lyrics remind listeners they are connected in some way.
Reveal Party (WAS Entertainment)
Fronted by Emily Holm Nyhuus, Reveal Party’s music is rooted in honesty and originality. Their lyrics are consistently centered on uplifting women and challenging gender stereotypes. Emily herself views identity as something that can’t be put in a box or defined by others. They encourage everyone to live in a way that feels happiest and truest to them. With heartfelt indie songs like “I’m a Girl,” Emily describes her own experience as a trans woman while being wholly herself, creating a positive relatable space for others who challenge gender stereotypes.
Sandra Suubi (Bayimba Productions)
Representing women of Uganda and East Africa, Sandra Suubi got her musical start in women’s bands and choirs. The gospel singer, who won Upcoming Female Artist of the year at the 2016 VIGA Awards, empowers women by reassuring them they were put here on earth to fulfill a destiny. “To every woman,” she said, “We were carefully created by God. So tender yet strong.”
Ellen Allien (BPitch Control)
German artist Ellen Allien has not only successfully taken over the world of techno and house, but has created careers for many other artists through the record label she founded, BPitch Control. Allien exemplifies leadership through running two labels, producing others music and hosting bi-monthly music parties, all while returning to her own roots of singing and mixing her own music and releasing her third album “AurAA”. EarMilk Magazine referred to her as the “Modern-Day Superwoman”.
Courtney Marie Andrews (Fat Possum Records)
Stepping out from the background vocals of prior bands and into the spotlight of a solo career, singer Courtney Marie Andrews showcases her strength in the rawness of her lyrics. Andrews often reflects on the ways women are viewed in society and specifically in her own family. She takes back her voice in “It Must be Someone Else’s Fault” by showing how she is, unforgivingly, herself. Rolling Stone magazine said, while incorporating the sound of older music legends, “ “Andrews’ bell-clear voice and fearless message of introspection are unmistakably her own”.
Pitty (Deck Records)
One of the best-selling rock artists of the 2000s, Pitty, the Brazilian singer, has won over 50 distinguished awards,inspiring fellow peers in the music industry. With Madonna as one of her major influences, Pity takes the stage by storm, and her creativity and dedication to her music has resulted in her title, rock legend. Pitty values her ability to have a voice in this world and says it, “…Moves freely, being aware of the heritage and baggage, but not allowing the weight to stop you from flying.”
Tessa Violet (Meekakitty)
Accumulating over 70 million views on her YouTube channel, Tessa Violet offers the idea that women deserve the absolute most. Violet’s lyrics create a relatable comfort to women around her. Her ability to talk candidly about her experiences lessens the taboo stigma around these conversations and instead inspires more dialogue.
Jordanna (Grand Jury Records)
Releasing an album at just 18-years-old, Jordanna exemplifies the strength in female youth. Her lyrics include meaningful or memorable conversations with the women in her life, such as her mother and friends. Her voice, the focal part of the song as opposed to instruments, sings about what it means to enter adulthood as a woman. “I Guess This is Life,” a single she made in 2020, links nostalgia and strength in growth.
Sarah Walk (One Little Independent/MRI)
In her lyrics, Sarah Walk challenges the idea of how women should act. She disputes hegemonic views through her lyrics. The Chicago native assures her listeners that all things good and bad, positive and negative feelings, make up who you are as a woman. She tells the stories of how women become free once they accept what they deserve and acknowledge their experiences beyond romantic relationships. Walk finds her power in having truthful resonating lyrics.
Belle Chen (Eito Music)
This past November, Belle Chen released Late Night Sessions – At Home, a collection of soulful piano ballads originally performed on the artist’s YouTube channel. The performances, recorded from Chen’s home in London, were used to cultivate a space for listeners to come together and share creative ideas in a safe and comfortable setting. In the comments you can see Chen’s purpose reflected as users share their backgrounds, inspirations and show appreciation for her talent. Chen challenges the expectations of her classical training with modern and unpredictable artistic variations, defining her own art.
Anne Lukin (Sweet Bird Records)
In her track “Lento,” the Spanish singer dives into the action of leaving behind what did not make her a happier person. She surrenders the things that stood in the way of her strength and power. She talks about maturing and healing through struggle and coming out on the other side with a stronger voice. In hopes that her audience will do the same, Lukin shares the adversities that made her a stronger woman.
June Cocó (Flashback Records)
June Cocó channels her reflection in her piano playing. The artist makes statements in her lyrics about feeling divine and offers ideas of being one with nature. June expresses her femininity with the use of flowers, chirping birds, and her connection to mother nature. The singer and instrumentalist sings exactly how she feels, giving strength to her voice and an unwavering sense of power.
