There are so many talented and inspiring young women leading the way in the music industry today. Luckily for those globally, it is easy for music fans to find themselves amongst the charts and media. No matter who you are, where you’re from or what you stand for, there is an exceptional woman in this industry who – even though she still represents a minority – will make you feel seen and heard. Here are a few of them that I believe have had a great impact so far and will continue to inspire each in her individual way.
Rosalía
From Barcelona, Spain, Rosalia has made a mark on the music scene releasing songs globally in Spanish language while also collecting fans from all kinds of different countries. When living in, or emigrating from a Spanish speaking country, hearing these songs play on English radio spark a homely feeling you can turn back to and celebrate your culture through. The rise of Latin pop music has been phenomenal and even when you don’t fully understand the lyrics, the vibe it projects gets you moving.
Kim Petras
As an openly transgender woman, Kim Petras recently became the first transgender individual to win a Grammy. She proudly represents her community, she embodies her true self and speaks on her past, whilst encouraging her fans to be the best version of themselves. Through her actions, her music and empowering movements she has become a role model for anyone who can personally relate to her story. Seeing her succeed will surely encourage anyone who just needed to look up to.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock
A mother of one year old twins, one third of Little Mix and a young woman raised by both her mixed raced Jamaican and Barbadian parents, Leigh-Anne has fought for her voice to be heard. She has made her mark on the music industry through media coverage, expressing the need for equality, fair representation and inclusion. Not only by being a member of Little Mix, but by starting her own projects and charity work for women like herself who don’t get the same opportunities. She recently narrated the audio book “The Little Mermaid” for Audible UK, feeling inspired by not only her own experience but her culture and heritage as well. We need more women like her who take initiative, stand and speak up and proudly represent in the most beautiful way.
Lizzo
If you ever attended or have seen footage of a Lizzo concert, you know that all her on stage dancers as well as herself, are plus sized women in minimal clothing; giving it their everything to make sure that women of all body types are seen in the media. She makes it clear in speeches during her live performances that her true goal is to show off her skin and make it normal for a range of beautiful bodies to be applied across all platforms of publicity. And if you follow her on TikTok, you know how brutally honest and unfiltered she is and the importance of that – in the world we live in today – we can only amplify.
Sinead Harnett
Thai-Irish (or as she describes, ‘thairish’) Sinead has celebrated her ethnicity throughout her career through music visuals and reminders on her social media. Her recent music video for ‘Where You Been Hiding’ showcases beautiful traditional Thai headpieces and jewelry which was important to her to feature for representation. And while that matters as much as the art she puts out, Sinead wants to become an artist of her time. Through her cultural representation and empowering music, she will be exactly that and we can’t wait to watch her rise to the top.
These are only a few of the incredibly talented and inspiring women that make this industry a place of inclusion, diversity and female power in the best way. Yet, they are still a minority which is something that will hopefully change over time and through the great example already set. We all have our favorite artists, powerful women to look up to and individuals who inspire us to embrace who we are and be our best, proudest and most happy selves. And we definitely need that.
ROARA Magazine 