Feminists in the Music Industry

As big of a cause as Feminism has thankfully evolved into over the years, giving it some extra attention in the media never did it any harm. In fact, most of the awareness that has resulted in the latest wave of Feminism has been spread most tactfully through popular public figures and social media. Today we're going to take a tour through some of the most modestly iconic and brilliantly influential individuals in the music industry who have done, and continue to do, their bit for feminism and everything it represents. The modern day feminist hall of fame, if you will.

10) John Legend

That's right, not only will this list be focusing on women striving for change; but men as well. John Legend proudly participated and took part in the recent Chime for Change concert, speaking up at the campaign's press conference on the importance of male understanding and cooperation in helping the movement of equalising the genders. "All men should be feminists," Legend announced. "If men care about women's rights, the world will be a better place." It's as simple as that.

9) Kacey Musgraves

The country singer may not be a topping the pop charts on the regular, but her LGBTQA+ friendly anthem 'Follow your Arrow' definitely put her on the map. Not only did the song capture the world with its endearingly constructed message on how society should be viewing sexuality, but it also made a historical mark on country music itself. It was fairly uncharted territory for a country singer to reference same-sex couples in their music, especially when they famously haven't been represented well by the genre, let alone promote it as a positive. Often showing itself as a dated and sometimes closed minded genre, the country music scene took a hugely progressive step by recognising the song's significance, and rightfully awarding Musgraves the Song of the Year award at the CMAs in 2014.

8) Florence Welch

Not only known for her fantastic head of hair and beautifully etherial dresses, Miss Welch is quickly becoming a one woman musical wonder in her own right. Taking on the world of music and art culture as a woman, she says, is a hard but important feat. Florence often has divulged how the presence and influences of women in life are what makes all the difference. "It's humbling to listen to a strong woman and it makes me realise my capacity." Having already been the first British female this century to headline the world famous Glastonbury festival (yes- really), she's quickly and quietly making leaps and bounds in the direction of gender equality in the commercial music industry.

7) Grimes

Being a woman in the music industry isn't easy. Canadian singer-songwriter Grimes knows the trials and tribulations of it all too well. She famously wrote a perfectly eloquent piece for Rookie magazine to not only explain the hardships, but to give advice on how she managed to conquer the countless qualms. It is through this that the 27-year-old captured one of true symbols of what it means to be a female, the company and that is to look out for one another. She touches on tips for success and tips for empowerment, which earns her a well deserved place on our list.

6) Eddie Vedder

Although their activism was at its most prominent a good 20 years ago, Pearl Jam are a highly significant band to mention in our list of influential feminists. As a collective, the band were not shy on voicing their opinions on women's rights to their own bodies, playing at numerous Voters for Choice Benefits. Eddie Vedder in particular had a passion for using his famous profile for good, taking an opportunity during a drum solo to write 'Pro Choice' on his arm while appearing on MTV Unplugged in 1992. The show was widely televised and popular television serious at the time, and watched by many.

5) Janelle Monáe

In at number 5 we have the self-proclaimed 'political artist' of Miss Janelle Monáe. Similarly to Grimes, and many other female musicians, Janelle is no stranger to the staggering sexism deeply rooted in the industry. She has frequently disclosed the unbelievable truths of being asked to dress and sing in certain ways to cater for the 'Male Gaze'. Ignoring industry 'advice', she stayed true to herself, and in turn created her now internationally recognisable image of suits and typically menswear, rejecting hetero-normativity. Additionally, in her distinctly feminist and black pride anthem "Q.U.E.E.N" (an acronym for; queer, untouchables, emigrants, excommunicated and negroid) she uses fearlessly confident statements such as "Am I a sinner with my skirt on the ground?" and "Even if it makes other uncomfortable/ I will love who I am." to show the importance of self love and maintaining it whatever the circumstances.

4) Beyoncé

Now, of course, we'd be fools not to include Queen Bey herself in our list. Beyoncé took it upon herself, as one of the most famous figures of our generation, to publicly reinvent what she believes feminism to be. She famously sampled snippets of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TEDxEuston Talk 'We should all be feminists' into the interlude of her sold out international tour, as well as in one of her most famous singles, 'Flawless'. Chimamanda's talk broke down the very pressing and relevant issues Nigeria and the rest of the world face with gender, and what it really means to be a feminist. The singer spoke about finding the African novelist on YouTube, and was quick to realise "Everything she said is exactly how I feel." Beyoncé also used her 15 minute performance on the 2014 VMA's to televise this view, subsequently reaching out to an alarming 13.7 million viewers that the award show attracted. In terms of putting the message across, there's no one more likely to get people listening than the true embodiment of girl power itself; Beyoncé Knowles.

3) Kurt Cobain

There are few male artists who have shown just as much concern for society's mistreatment of women than the late, great Kurt Cobain. Despite the urban myth of Kurt first emerging from hesher rock in the Pacific North West, most credible biographies today will acknowledge the fact that in actuality, he originally came from feminist art punk.

Although Nirvana's controversial single 'Polly' alarmed the public at the time, touching on rape culture surrounding young women, it was a prominent issue on Kurt's mind. The singer was never more vocal to the press than when the focal point of the matter was abuse. He had no guilt in saying that teaching girls self defence was not the solution; it was the abusers who needed to be taught not to rape. It was no secret that Kurt wouldn't tolerate discrimination of any sort in Nirvana's gigs, openly stating "I would like to get rid of the homophobes, sexists, and racists in our audience. I know they're out there and it really bothers me."

He had a recognition of the oppression women were facing, admitting that within music, heavy metal in particular, there was an unprecedented amount of sexism that faced zero consistencies. He even said in one of his many journals, that he took comfort in 'knowing that women are the only future in rock and roll'.

2) Ani DiFranco

When digging into her achievements and philosophies, it's not hard to understand why Ani DiFranco is often referred to as a 'feminist warrior'. As a singer, DiFranco made sure to be as explicitly candid as possible, knowing her "just say it" attitude is what gets responses and controversy. For example, her song 'Amendment' could easily be mistaken as a rather outspoken letter to Office, with the topic of women's civil rights at hand.

Ani has also been in dialogue with Occupy; a movement that organises protests against social and economic inequality all over the world, with their primary goal being to make political and economic relations in all societies less hierarchical with more fair distributions. Rejecting corporate control over her music, DiFranco also founded her own offshoot label named Righteous Babe Records, in which stemmed the Righteous Babe Foundation which is in partnership with numerous human rights, peace and justice charities.

1) Pussy Riot

And finally, our list would not be complete without the gloriously formidable, feminist phenomena that is Pussy Riot. More than most, despite facing time behind bars and making enemies with the authorities, the Russian feminist punk band have shown the uttermost dedication to the cause. Their imprisonment in 2012 was due to making an appearance inside a Cathedral in Moscow, performing their song 'Punk Prayer' which verbally attacks the Orthodox Church's support for Vladimir Putin. As a result of this, the group quickly made headlines across the globe, in which their message touched celebrities such as Madonna, Yoko Ono, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and many, many more. Two of the fearless women who were accused are young mothers as well as social and political rights activists, which really shows their passion in fighting for change when it could potentially put them and their families livelihoods in jeopardy. Pretty badass, I think you'll agree.

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