Women in R&B music have been doing their thing. The success of women like Jazmine Sullivan, Ari Lennox, Snoh Aalegra, Sza, Summer Walker and many many more tell the tale. But over here in the UK, the R&B girls are making their mark also. Tiana Major9 bagged a Grammy nomination and Joy Crookes was nominated twice at the 2022 Brits. Meanwhile Cleo Sol and Ego Ella May have had big wins critically, commercially and at the MOBO awards in recent years. Moreover, Ella Mai and Tiana Major9 are blazing the trail overseas. But most importantly, the UK scene thrives with women in R&B music defining their own unique paths, sounds and telling a unique story.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, TIDAL has curated a series of exclusive playlists that highlight women making history across various genres. The Women’s History in the Making playlist series features both established and emerging artists making their mark on music. Plus the 40+ song R&B playlist is a vibe, highlighting R&B icons and the icons in the making. These are the women defining the future of R&B and we are proud to partner with TIDAL to spotlight 5 of them. Moreover, all of these women are recognised by TIDAL in their RISING Artist series.
Read on for our spotlights of 5 of the UK based artists featured: Sinead Harnett, Zilo, Ruth Orhiunu, Amie Blu and Kate Stewart. And listen to the full Women’s History in the Making: R&B playlist exclusively now on TIDAL.
Sinead Harnett
you’re a fighter, you are strong and you are deserving
A song lyric that makes me feel powerful…
‘Tell me who I have to be
To get some reciprocity’ – Lauryn Hill
My woman in music icon is…
Solange
What I would tell the woman I was 5 years ago about the woman I am now…
I’d tell her you’re a fighter, you are strong and you are deserving. I’d tell her she’s growing into a woman to be proud of. I’d tell her to keep going, because even though life can be a b*tch, you’re lucky you get to sing about it all!
Zilo
learn, adapt & grow
A song lyric that makes me feel powerful…
“The only thing constant in the world is change – That’s why today I take life as it comes”
It’s the opening line (& only line) of a song called ‘Growth’ in India Aries album ‘ Voyage To India’. More – so than inspiring me or making me feel powerful it’s something I’ve used as a mantra from a very young age – before I even really knew what a mantra was. It really impacted me. It’s a reminder of an important fact of life & the attitude and approach I choose to take during hard times or challenges – learn, adapt & grow.
My woman in music icon is…
To be completely honest, I don’t have any icons.
So, I’ll use this as an opportunity to celebrate any and all people who identify as women doing their thing within the music industry. Producers, engineers, singers, songwriters – all of them. I hope they all get their well deserved flowers.
What I would tell the woman I was 5 years ago about the woman I am now…
I always wonder with this question if it would actually be future/current me sitting face to face with past me telling me stuff or whether what I’d say would just be delivered to me in the form of a sign or intuitive feeling?
If it was the first option, it would be extremely weird and totally freak past me out. But once getting over that part I’d just sit down and listen to whatever questions younger me had (which would likely be a lot). I’d probably say something like, “well, I’m here and I’m in one piece so clearly whatever you ended up doing worked out just fine” and then I’d say something like “trust me when I say that you know in your heart what’s best for you – always, so trust your own judgement and decision making (even if people or forces try to make you doubt it ) and always just go with that. You’re on the right path even when you can’t see it” and then I’d fade away really dramatically.
Kate Stewart
I say everything with my chest
A song lyric that makes me feel powerful…
‘Everything is everything. What is meant to be will be.’ – Lauryn Hill. Never a truer statement.
My woman in music icon is…
Whitney Houston
What I would tell the woman I was 5 years ago about the woman I am now…
“I’ve stayed motivated. I say everything with my chest. I haven’t let outside, personal drama get in the way of my work. I am a good person. I am going to kill it in the music game.”
Amie Blu
A song lyric that makes me feel powerful…
‘My tears dry on their own’ – Amy Winehouse
My woman in music icon is …
I genuinely found it so hard to pick just one, but my mum brought me up listening to a lot of Alicia Keys – who I love
What I would tell the woman I was 5 years ago about the woman I am now…
“You’d like the people I surround myself with now”
Ruth Orhiunu
I love powerful, rebellious women
A song lyric that makes me feel powerful…
“The higher you build your barriers, the taller I become”
My woman in music icon is …
Millie Jackson.
My mum was always told she looked like Millie Jackson in school, and you only have to say her name for my mum to bring this up lol. Her music was played a lot growing up, and outside of her beautifully unique voice and unmistakable tone, she was a rebel. I love powerful, rebellious women, with dominant feminine energy. Women who say what they shouldn’t and do what they want. Witty, real, glamorous, and authentic.
What I would tell the woman I was 5 years ago about the woman I am now…
The woman I am now has evolved and grown in mind and spirit. I understand a lot more of you, not only through the power of retrospection but because I have had the time and professional help to try and process a lot that has happened leading up to now. The love and understanding you need are coming.
