Women’s History Month: Underrated Women Artists You Need to Play

We have been looking at a number of pioneering and historic women artists over the past month. I thought for our last post in Women’s History Month should focus on the underrated artists who deserve more shine. These are artists you might have to look for or were big and then became lost to time. But they are all worth a concentrated listen. I’m going to give you artists across genre that you will be thankful you had a chance to hear.

The Dolly Mixture: How Come You’re Such a Hit with the Boys Jane

This UK 1978 post-punk trio was ahead of their time. Punk chords combined with glittery harmonies and raw guitar riffs was something that wouldn’t catch on until the Riot Grrrl movement in the 90s. You can hear some Smiths, Riot Grrrl and even Breeders in their music. Unfortunately, they did not put out much music, but what they did put out gave you a window into the future of pop and alternative. They are getting their critical due now, but The Dolly Mixture is a band that needs to go into your rotation.

The Pointer Sisters: Automatic

They are the thumbnail on this post and the definition of underrated. Still putting out music today, there have been 6 members of the Pointer Sisters: Ruth, Issa, Sadako, Anita, Bonnie and June. The original members Ruth, Anita, Bonnie and June started the band in the early 70s. However, most people are familiar with the trio Ruth, Anita and June who were responsible for most of their hits. They have some of the biggest ballads and high energy pop hits in R&B…plus they told Coop’s grandpa to shut up at the Grammys. A band that were huge in the 80s and who deserve more of a listen.

Reba McEntire: The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia

Singer…Actress…TV star…LGBTQI+ rights supporter….what can’t Reba do? She has played with the best in the business and did collaborations with Dolly, Carole King and Justin Timberlake. Often overshadowed by Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, Reba has had a tremendous career and still puts out music today. Her grounded and powerful country twang is an inspiration for millions and her songs of survival, inner strength and love are crossover hits. You can’t talk about country music without Reba.

Salt-n-Pepa: Shoop

They are the first all woman hip hop group to his platinum and they are overlooked by artists later in the 90s. Salt-n-Pepa was one of the groups that ushered in the hip hop reniassance of the 90s and were an example of how women could succeed in a male dominated music genre. Unsparingly feminist, sexy and fun Salt-n-Pepa dominated both the hip hop and pop charts with Spinderella’s (Deidra Roper) DJ skills and the bars of Salt (Cheryl James) and Pepa (Sandra Denton). They have great energy and they play as well at a party now as they did in 1993.

Miriam Makeba: Pata Pata

One of the most iconic artists from Africa and sings in Xhosa. She has had worldwide appeal, but may have been lost in the “world music” category. She made music for decades and had an incredible vocal. She is known throughout the world and was a great ambassador for South African music….speaking of world music…

Angelique Kidjo: Batonga

Kidjo took world music to the world. Her music, including a duet with Dave Matthews, really broke through in the 90s and continued to garner critical acclaim throughout the 2000s. She has multiple Grammys and has featured on a number of tracks with her powerful and emotive vocal. She is an incredible performer and her music is both complex and transcendent.

Jennifer Lopez: Jenny from the Block

Ok. It’s hard saying someone who has hundreds of millions of listens on her tracks is underrated…but here we are. I think most people see J-Lo and think more about her acting and general celebrity and forget about her music. Her crystal clear vocal, pumpin’ beats and sexy lyrics dominated the pop charts. She is often overshadowed by Rihanna and Beyonce, but she was one of the biggest woman pop stars in the world at her peak. So, after watching her in Anaconda…check out her music.

Susan Tedeschi: It Hurt so Bad

Breaking out in the 2000s, Susan Tedeschi’s mix of Stevie Ray Vaughn blues guitar with Janis Joplin’s shredding blues vocals was unlike anything we have heard in blues. The sheer power of her vocal was one of a kind, but combine that with her excellent blues guitar work and you have a truly unique artist. Unfortunately, blues music does not get too much of a mainstream run, which hurt her crossover appeal. However, Tedeschi is a gifted artist and worth your time.

Beth Orton: Stolen Car

UK singer/songwriter alt pop superstar Beth Orton is huge in the UK and Australia…but never really got the breakthrough appeal over in the states. Her unique vocal takes you on a journey through well written songs about love, life and survival. Her later work saw her lean more into folk and bring a fresh edge to that genre. Her mix of acoustic guitar, synth and 4/4 percussion is perfect and her varied discography is a joy to work through.

Lorde: Solar Power

I know….Lorde is amazing and has had a mountain of critical and commercial success, but I still think she’s underrated. She never puts out a bad record and her writing is some of the most vulernable and emotionally deep writing in all of music. It’s like you combined Bob Dylan with Nirvana. Her record Pure Heroine re-defined pop and opened the door for other non-traditional women artists like Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan. Her music pushes genre rules and speaks to both coming of age stories, inner conflicts and feminist issues. Lorde is amazing and deserves a deeper listen.

GloRilla: Let her Cook

GloRilla is an artist on the rise. She has teamed up with Gangsta Boo and Tyler the Creator to name a few. Her aggressive and sexy bars and style has an honesty that really elevates her music. You get a sense that this is GloRilla unfiltered and you are going to hear what she thinks whether you like it or not. She is unapologetic in how she is her true self and represents Memphis with pride. She is blowing up, so get in on the ground floor.

Linda Ronstadt: You’re No Good

Prolific doesn’t even touch Ronstadt’s impact on music. She has featured on tracks from every major artist you can think of…not to mention her own successful solo career. Ronstadt has featured in a number of genres and has a solo career focused on rock and folk. It’s easy to see Ronstadt as someone who is either backing vocals on a track or part of a duet, but she is an artist who helped shape the music of the 70s and much more.