For decades the measure of a woman’s success in music was defined by her beauty. Her voice was secondary and her message was irrelevant. Year after year, music award shows have clearly been in favor of men, and only women who fit the traditional standards of popular beauty were extended a nomination. Time and time again, women in this industry are pit against one another, degraded for their physical appearance, and vilified in often false tabloid drama. With the coming of this new decade, it seems a page is finally turning in the climate and culture of music. Gone are the days in music where women merely “stand still and look pretty”. While successful, talented women are still struggling to have their music recognized as prolifically as their male counterparts, uniquely feminine messages are more commonly standing out in a cacophony of male music. These women, that I felt deserved to be showcased, have now shattered these limitations and are finally having their voices heard.

1. Billie Eilish

Rising to fame in 2016, Billie Eilish became the face of the future generation of women singers with her first hit, “Ocean Eyes”. Billie herself represents your average teenage girl that rose to instant fame after going viral online. The sad truth of today’s society is that women, even young girls are repeatedly sexualized in the media for their figure and appearance; therefore, as a singer, one’s art is completely undermined. Doing what she can to preserve her youthful innocence and protect herself from degrading comments, you will typically catch her sporting baggy, oversized clothing. Her fashion sense has been labeled as outlandish, but is uniquely her own, and allows us to focus less on her appearance and more on her tranquil, enchanting vocals. Commenting on her fashion choices Billie says, “Nobody can have an opinion because they haven’t seen what’s underneath”. She has overcome and seemingly changed the accepted societal standards of correctness especially of the image of a female singer, and embraces her fashion style as her true identity. Billie released her first album in 2019, portraying her range of sounds from soft ballads to electronic pop, and ever since has rapidly gained popularity. In her music, she tackles topics relatable to many teens such as anxiety and depression, and even speaks out on her concerns for our world, making her highly favorable to the public. Her album’s biggest hit “Bad Guy” reverses the societal norms on the roles of men and women, portraying the woman as the tough one. In only her first year of extreme popularity, at only the age of 18, Billie has been recognized for her talent. She amazingly won her first five Grammy Awards out of the six for which she was nominated, four of these awards being in the biggest categories. With this outstanding achievement, she became the first artist to sweep the top 4 categorizes since 1981. Keep her name in mind, as for I believe her success is only getting started and this certainly isn’t the last time we will hear it. She is the voice of the future of women in music. Billie Eilish is history in the making.

2. Lizzo

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, more commonly known as Lizzo, represents a strong woman with a myriad of talents. As many may be unaware, Lizzo has actually been in the music business for years prior to her success within this past year. In fact, at a glance, you may not believe that this confident young woman once lived out of her car for a year in the midst of attempting to kickstart her music career. She rose to fame with her viral anthemic, women-empowering, spirit-uplifting song “Truth Hurts” that attained popularity in 2019, two years after its initial release. Her perseverance paid off as she received three Grammy Awards this week. If this doesn’t spread an inspiring message to never give up no matter the state of one’s upbringing, and that anyone can get a taste of success, then I truly don’t know what else might. For today’s society, Lizzo has played an important role in garnering acceptance for others like herself in more recent years than ever before, specifically by embracing her curves. Such is the case in her song titled “Juice”. In addition to her seemingly effortless vocals, many would be surprised to know she is an exceptional flute player and even incorporates the instrument into her performances. Lizzo represents hope for women who have been shamed for their physical appearance and have ultimately felt underrepresented.

3. H.E.R.

From the moment I heard this artist, I knew she would easily rise to widespread popularity. Her remarkable voice alone has the ability to captivate millions. H.E.R., which stands for “Having Everything Revealed,” ironically operates with mystery. When seen by the public, not for a second is she seen without sunglasses to conceal her eyes, on and off stage. Gabi Wilson first hailed as a child prodigy when she played a rendition of “No One” by Alicia Keyes on The Today Show, at the age of 12. Unbeknownst to the world, years later she would step out into the light with her mysterious stage name, H.E.R. Explaining the name and why she has never revealed her eyes, she states, “I want the people to hear the music for what it is, and not have any judgments or make any assumptions.” Her most vulnerable unveiling is through her music and the power of her voice, not by her physical appearance. She is a R&B singer/songwriter that, in 2017, got the attention of many figures in the music industry with her first EP, H.E.R Vol. 1. H.E.R. received her first two Grammy Awards at the 61st Grammys in 2019 for Best New Artist and Best R&B Song. The singer was respectively recognized at the 62nd Grammy Awards, receiving nominations in the top categories: Album, Record and Song of the Year, for her EP H.E.R Vol. 2 and her track “Hard Place”. H.E.R. can be compared to the singer Sia, as they both conceal their faces in attempt to let their messages grasp the audience. I am eager to see where music takes this rising star, and as a fan, will follow her throughout every step in her musical journey.

4. Maddie and Tae

Whether you are a fan of country music or not, there’s no denying that these two women are strong, talented female artists that have changed the way many perceive country music. With their empowering debut single in 2014, “Girl In A Country Song”, country duo Maddie and Tae address the inequity of standards between men and women in the music industry, as it is seemingly at its highest in recent years. The song mocks me the typical male-sung radio hit by saying, “…all we’re good for is lookin’ good for you and your friends on the weekend, nothin’ more. We used to get a little respect…shakin’ my moneymaker ain’t ever made me a dime and there ain’t no sugar for you in this shaker of mine. Tell me one more time you gotta get you some of that, Sure I’ll slide on over, but you’re gonna get slapped…These days it ain’t easy being that…Girl in a country song”. Speaking on their intended message with this song Maddie stated, “ ‘Girl In A Country Song’ is basically a song about what it’s like to be the girl in modern day country songs and how hard it is to be this perfect Barbie doll girl that we are portrayed as”. They both agreed that “It’s very hard and high expectations that no one can really live up to.” In 2014 they landed a deal with Big Machine Label Group, which is also Taylor Swift’s label. Both girls fiercely represent what it means to be a woman. Speaking more on their hit song, they explained, “In ‘Girl in a Country Song’… we were just calling out the trend of this stereotype of a woman who has to just sit there and look hot and do whatever the guy tells her to do, and look a certain way. We didn’t fit this stereotype…We’re not that, and we’re not women [who] can just keep our mouths shut and not say anything or not have a voice. We wanted to speak up for the women who felt that same way.” In a society in which half the world shuns those who wear the specific label of “feminist”, Maddie and Tae provided clarity in saying, “…Tae and I are completely comfortable with being labeled as feminists because feminism actually means someone who believes in equality for men and women. For some reason there’s a stigma with feminism, saying, “Oh, we hate men.” But it’s not that…It’s just saying, “Hey, women deserve the opportunities that men have, and vice versa. Men deserve the opportunities that women have.” We’re totally comfortable with saying that, and speaking out for women and men. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to give people a voice.” For this, Maddie and Tae inspire young girls and set an example for future generations of women in music.

5. Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift said it best in her acceptance speech that she recited when she became the first-ever recipient of Billboard’s Woman of the Decade Award at the 2019 Women in Music Awards. She recalls, “… as a female in this industry, some people will always have slight reservations about you… people love to explain away a woman’s success in the music industry. Taylor revealed that 2010, when she was a young, upcoming artist, marked a time in which she was thrown into the flames of harsh backlash, more than she had ever experienced before. She says “…now I realize that this is just what happens to a woman in music if she achieves success or power beyond people’s comfort level.” She continues on to say, “… women in this industry are criticized and measured up to each other and picked at for their bodies, their romantic lives, their fashion, or have you ever heard someone say about a male artist, ‘I really like his songs but I don’t know what it is, there’s just something about him I don’t like?’ No! That criticism is reserved for us!…We are held at a higher, sometimes impossible-feeling standard.” Addressing her recent battle with her music manager she had this to say: “…the definition of the toxic male privilege in our industry is people saying, ‘But he’s always been nice to me,’ when I’m raising valid concerns about artists and their rights to own their music…The fact is that private equity is what enabled this man to think…that he could buy me.” Taylor Swift firsthand became victim to unfair treatment by men in the music industry in late 2019, but this amiable, confident singer has always held her head high when faced with trouble. She stands for equality and women empowerment. Her song “The Man” perfectly calls out such ridiculous standards for women in music, highlighting how men are easily viewed as a star, yet women just can’t seem to the receive the same praise. The song voices, “What’s it like to brag about raking in dollars and getting bitches and models?…If I was out flashin’ my dollars I’d be a bitch, not a baller… I’m so sick of running as fast as I can wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man”. No matter the backlash she may face, Taylor remains wholeheartedly outspoken in her beliefs. As Taylor’s star continues to rise, she is a fighter, and a powerful catalyst for women in music.

While there are many more notable woman that I could have mentioned, these are just a few that I genuinely feel have changed the way we view and respect women as artists. While still not resolved, there has been more acceptance of the power behind a woman’s message through song. I’m someone who finds a story in every person, and sees the power of each lyric woven in the art of music. I strive to use my platform as not only a storyteller, but a woman writer, to shine light upon these female singers who have shared their own stories with gripping melodies over heart-felt instrumentals. We have reached a breakthrough in history, and I hope this success becomes the rule rather than the exception in the industry. We the people seem to finally be listening to these women who have fought so long to be heard.