International Women’s Day in Music: Current Power in Music

On Cigar Jukebox, we have done a variety of entries to celebrate International Women’s Day. We have had a variety of different themes and have traced women’s music through the decades. Well, for this year, I want to keep it simple. Let’s face it, women are dominating music this year and have been for the last 5 years. There are huge women power players in every music genre and they are pushing music to new places. So, let’s look at some current women artists who are changing music.

Dolly Parton: World on Fire

Dolly has been a pioneer in music for decades, but she is back on the scene as relevant as ever. Between Broadway musicals, she put out a 4 record rock album and teamed up with Sabrina Carpenter on a single. Dolly has laid the foundation a lot of the women on this list are building upon, so it is only just to kick off this list with her. Speaking of Dolly featuring on new tracks…

Beyoncé: Tyrant

Speaking of pioneers shaking up genres…Beyoncé decided to move from pop and R&B to shake up country. Her infusion of hip hop and sex into traditional country arrangements sent most people into fits of joy, while others thought the world was coming to an end. Her music shook up the genre and gave country a must needed shot of energy. She is an incredible artist who lifts up other women and continues to evolve.

GloRilla: WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME (ft. Sexxy Red)

We have talked about Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and Lizzo in the past. Another woman artist taking hip hop to new heights is GloRilla. She has taken inspiration from Gangsta Boo’s flow and upped the sexiness and power. Her recent appearance on Tyler the Creator’s record really stole the show and opened her up to a larger audience. This is an artist to keep an eye on as she continues to rise.

Taylor Swift: Karma

It was only a matter of time before Taylor was on the list. She has moved genres from country, to pop, to indie folk, to neon soaked pop and back to more of a blend of pop and indie folk on her new record. She has done everything…but she is a pioneer in how artists, especially women, can own their art and control their art. Moreover, her Eras tour revolutionised how concerts were run and how they are produced. She has pioneered both the musical and the business side of the music industry.

The Linda Lindas: All In My Head

The Linda Lindas are in line with bands like L7, The Runaways and Bikini Kill who all took on a male dominated genre, specifically rock/punk, and kicked its ass. Taking on themes of sexuality, identity, race and gender, The Linda Lindas show no fear and are taking on that Riot Grrrl tradition. They are still a very young band and their sound will continue to evolve and become more complex. Having said that, this is a very talented band breaking new ground in the punk world.

Koffee: Gifted

Koffee has been redefining reggae with her infusion of pop and hip hop sensibilities within the genre. She has a Grammy, has been number 1 on a Jukebox top 50 and has opened for Harry Styles. She sings with incredible joy and strength. We have not heard from Koffee in a year or so, but there are rumours of a new record and tour on the way. I can’t wait to hear more from her and her music soothes my soul.

Tems: Love me Je Je

Women are really shaking up the reggae space. Tems and Koffee are two of the biggest crossover artists in the genre. Tems broke on the scene with her track No Woman No Cry on the Wakanda Forever soundtrack. She used that breakthrough to pump up a new record, which built on her smooth reggae sound with a more traditional dancehall sound infused with some modern R&B / pop flourishes. Much like Koffee, Tems is a star on the rise and is breathing new life into reggae.

Rihanna: Lift Me Up

From Fente making a billion dollars, to melting down the internet with her Super Bowl halftime show, to her single Lift Me Up getting over 400 million listens after not releasing anything for years. Rihanna constantly shows how she is the biggest thing in music whether or not she is putting out records…even though I reallyyyyyyyyyy want her to put one out. Rihanna is a cultural icon who is constantly pushing boundaries.