International Women’s Day 2021 is a celebration of women who #ChooseToChallenge. So we’re celebrating 10 wonder women artists challenging the status quo with their music.
From its inception Soul, R&B and Jazz have drawn upon experiences of hardship and the search for freedom to create music that reflects deep human emotions. With each high note and every bass tone, the African American culture that created these genres anchors the sound in pure forms of expression. From Aretha Franklin’s legendary hit ‘Respect’, Betty Wright’s ‘I Am Woman’ and Queen Latifah’s hip-hop soul record ‘U.N.I.T.Y’. From the 90s to contemporary R&B with Solange’s first number-one album ‘A Seat at the Table’.
But on this side of the pond also, British Neo-Soul and R&B artists are writing songs that continue to challenge the status quo. Songs that challenge us to reimagine what womanhood can mean in the 21st century.
Nao – Woman ft. Lianne La Havas
Nao and Lianne La Havas formed the dynamic duo we didn’t realise that we needed, but now desperately want more of. In ‘Woman’, two of Britain’s vocal powerhouses combined forces, blending their angelic harmonies and soulful tones to produce a heavenly track. Singing back to back, their words, “If god is a woman on Sunday imma worship us / Take my mirror out the bag and fill it with confidence,” are so compelling that they are enough to shake an entire room. ‘Woman’ is nothing short of empowering.
Amahla – Dorothy’s Verses
With delicate melodies and snippets of a speech from granny, singer-songwriter Amahla dedicates ‘Dorothy’s Verses’ to women from around the world. Inspired by the ‘Me Too’ movement, the musician from Hackney touches on overcoming injustice. “Muted mouths mean brutal lessons / Always stay beneath the soil / Her inner strength was her saviour / You’re calling checkmate but the queen will conquer”, she sings. Amahla’s soulful voice drenches the pain in her lyrics with honey-soaked harmonies and unwavering passion.
Hope Tala – All My Girls Like to Fight
West London artist Hope Tala challenges societal norms by showing that women can be powerful in ‘All My Girls Like to Fight’. Talking to Wonderland, she said, “I wanted to create a visually rich tale steeped in drama and intrigue to match the suspenseful Spanish guitar chords we started with in the studio, and wanted to portray women as having strength and agency in the narrative.” Her lyrics combined with the bull-fighting symbolism in the video offer a unique perspective on womanhood.
Harleighblu – Queeen Dem
Singer-songwriter Harleighblu, who grew up in Nottingham, lends her soulful voice to empowering women in ‘Queeen Dem’. Harleigh’s debut album, She, is a powerful ode to womanhood start to finish. Over the mellow hip-hop beat produced by Bluestaeb, the artist sings about “The Women Who Don’t Give A F**k” inspired by the book by Janne Robinson. Above all, she is unapologetic when rejecting the idea that a certain type of woman exists. From “the women that swear like truck drivers” to “the sheroes raising them babies”, Harleighblu acknowledges and uplifts the plethora of women within the sisterhood.
Greentea Peng – Hu Man
In ‘Hu Man’, Neo-Soul and R&B singer-songwriter Greentea Peng from Bermondsey explores identity and what it means to be human in the modern day. Drawing on the Mayan saying, “Lak’ech Ala K’in”, the artist disregards social norms in favour of oneness and unity. Greentea Peng says, “Hu Man is a war cry from the battlefield of mind, calling to the divine Mother to take this ego, take this head, to remove all these words and man made constructs and take me, take us, back to centre.” The stunning video captures how people wrestle with the meanings attached to their personhood. This theme of thoughtful, but rebellious self-expression runs throughout Greentea’s music. For this reason, we stan!
Demae – Use It
Singer, songwriter and producer Demae delivers ‘Use It’ over an alternative, electronic but funky beat, truly encouraging us to manifest our way into new realities and brighter horizons. The musician from North-West London sings, “Use it, never abuse the mind you came with / There is power / There is power in everything you speak in”. With her enchanting energy and silky vocals, Demae projects a message of empowerment—the blossoming of the light within.
Shae Universe – Royalty
R&B singer-songwriter from Shaé Universe prophesied the “black girl magic” that would see her rise to the throne in ‘Black Panther’. With divine vocals and versatility, the Nigerian-born London-based artist shows the results of talent paired with an unrelenting work-rate. On her latest track ‘Royalty’, featuring rapper Kojey Radical, Shaé demands her respect and honour. With the words, “Skin glow like the moon above / I can taste the power on my tongue / I know the source is something ancient / Left the blueprints and it’s blatant / You? You should call me royalty”, the singer is making an unmistakable claim to greatness.
Ego Ella May – Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys
In ‘Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys’, South London-raised Ego Ella May dismisses the idea that women should conform to stereotypical gender roles, singing about boys, getting married and starting a family. The neo-soul singer-songwriter takes this a step further in ‘Girls Don’t Always: The Conversation’, an insightful sit-down discussion with Ayishat Akanbi, Grace Acladna and Sophia Thakur, breaking down the perceptions of women as well as the responsibility of artists to open up mental health and critique social issues.
Pip Millet – Like It Like That
Mancunian neo-soul singer Pip Millet breaks down what it’s like to be a Black woman, whose tracksuits and afro hair are not appreciated by “the boys”, in ‘Like It Like That’. She questions expectations surrounding Black women’s body shapes and dismisses them because she likes her appearance the way it is. “There’s not many people with a smile like this one / You think I won a prize for these big eyes / And those dimples on my cheeks / And my back, just above my ass”, she sings.
Joy Crookes – Power
In ‘Power’, singer-songwriter from South London, Joy Crookes, reflects on “what it means to be free” and the need for others to stop dictating how women should behave. The beauty of the lyrics in ‘Power’ stems from Joy’s direct and unabashed approach to songwriting. “You’re a man on a mission / But you seem to forget / You came here through a woman / Show some f**king respect, hm”, she sings. Starring a women-only cast, the video shares intimate moments of women holding hands, consoling the crying singer and standing in solidarity.
Twitter / Instagram: @KaeRianne
