Rebel Girls: Empowering Women in Music
#1 Bikini Kill
Pioneering the ‘Riot Grrrl’ movement of the 90s, Bikini Kill advocated for gender equality with their fast-paced, angry Punk tunes. Kathleen Hanna, the band’s frontwoman, celebrated the presence of women at the band’s shows, always encouraging them to make their way to the front of the crowd while being outwardly against the common tendency of males to harass women at such events. Her appearances onstage in her underwear proudly presenting her soft stomach and hairy pits inspired girls everywhere to disregard the impossible expectations placed upon them by society, and still has its impact today. In fact, most of the bands in this list probably would not exist without the Riot Grrrl movement and Kathleen Hanna. After Bikini Kill’s split, Hanna went on to form the band Le Tigre before the creation of The Julie Ruin who remain active today and are equally worth a listen!
Listen à Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill
Watch à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU1bEeKsHs8
Le Tigre à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50gjWgrlOyU
The Julie Ruin à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEltsPb8M6Q
#2 Christine & the Queens
Androgynous and experimental in every sense of the word, Héloïse Letissier/Chris is the French face of Christine & the Queens and exactly what so many young people need in today’s society. Her music combines theatricality and sexuality, embodying all the attributes of pop while being undeniably unique. Chris embraces the fluidity of gender and the title of her second album, Chris, illustrates this. Owning our masculine side should be encouraged and I wish there were more role models like Chris advocating for the destruction of gendered stereotypes.
Listen à iT by Christine & the Queens
Watch à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8eulIH7tU0
Watch à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISvtTtoGq-Y
Read à https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/3kyy4v/how-christine-and-the-queens-became-chris
#3 MUNA
Sad synth-pop is and always will be a guilty pleasure of mine but there is something about MUNA that goes beyond that. My first discovery of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson came by way of an interview in which they discuss fluidity and their individual identifications as being queer. They advocate loudly for inclusivity and equality and their music reflects this. ‘I Know a Place’ hits particularly hard with its LGBTQ+ resonances regarding safe spaces and hits even harder with their added live bridge which slates Trump’s leadership in favour of equal rights. No other band gives me a feeling of safety and unity quite like MUNA does, and if you want to feel empowered while also listening to some synthy pop songs then they’re your gals.
Listen à I Know A Place by Muna
Watch à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2qpNMN6cFM
Slating Trump live @ 3:50 (you go gals) à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QYuB6qzHY4
#4 Grimes
Grimes’ uniqueness sets her apart from every other artist in today’s music industry. She stands on her own two feet and creates the most incredibly experimental art that I have ever encountered. Her simple ability to create music which does not in any way conform to mainstream ideals positions her as an artist of empowerment and individuality. The aura of magic and otherworldliness that surrounds her inspires not only myself but so many other young women to carve their own path and strive to reach outside of the box. From your very first experience of Grimes, I can guarantee that you will be hooked and intrigued to see the ways in which her incredible ideas continue to unfold. The strangest art is always the best.
Listen à Oblivion by Grimes
Watch à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2EJMd7ZN7w
All Images from Google Images