A Brief History of Music and Feminism
From rock 'n' roll to hip-hop, there are millions of ways that feminism ties into music. Not only is music a woman's story told through song, but it is also representative of her talent, her style, her resilience, and her legacy.
What is Feminism?
Feminism he belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Efforts to change that include fighting against gender stereotypes and establishing educational, professional, and interpersonal opportunities and outcomes for women that are equal to those for men.
Meet a few of the feminist artists from the past few decades that have paved the way for all the women artists and feminist anthems we love today.
The 30s - 70s: Civil Rights Fighters
During the Civil Rights Era, artists and musicians combined their pain and passion for fighting for equality with their music. Some of the most beloved and legendary protest songs we know today were written and performed by women.
Legendary Jazz vocalist Billie Holiday used her voice to bring a delicacy to the genre. Releasing her protest song, “Strange Fruit” was a risk for her career in 1954, and yet, she took released it, choosing to prioritize speaking out about civil rights, equality, and racial justice over career stability.
Known largely for her activism in music, Nina Simone’s songs like “I Put A Spell On You” and “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” proved her unapologetic presence and resilience deserved a place in music.
The 80s: Rebel Girls
While the 80s saw a surge in dance music and different subgenres of rock, few women found success in the rock scene, but bands like Heart and Joan Jett and the Black Hearts proved they were just as capable of rocking out as men. Unafraid to embrace their feminine energy, 80s pop and dance music also gave way for women artists to express themselves through sexual liberation.
Both Joan Jett's music and style proved the importance of rock rebellion to feminist movements. Her hit song “Bad Reputation” has become the soundtrack for acceptance without approval, and her rocker-chic style gave rock a "new look" for women artists.
Often labelled as “too controversial” to be a feminist, Madonna's music, performances, dancing, and fashion were another gateway into combining style with music. Her influence in the 80s swayed popular culture stronger than the influx of male acts at the time.
The 90s: Riot Grrrl
In the 90s, women empowerment and sexual liberation came to the forefront of the underground music scene. In response to this, the riot grrrl movement was created.
What is riot grrrl?
Riot Grrrl was an underground feminist rock movement that began in the early 1990s in the United States that combines feminism, punk music, and politics. Often associated with the third-wave of feminism, Riot Grrrl bands often address issues such as sexual assaults, domestic abuse, sexuality, racism, patriarchy, and female empowerment.
Some incredible riot grrrl bands are Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy, Excuse 17, and Emily’s Sassy Lime.
Corin Tucker and Tracy Sawyer of Heavens to Betsy said in reflection of their time as a band that for their generation, music was important. “Music was so powerful in terms of cultural meaning and aspiration. Those are the people I looked up to so much more than politicians or business people or anyone,” Tucker said in an interview to Bandcamp Daily. “A lot of the music we listened to was music made by men, and we just listened to music all the time, “ said Sawyer. “We were like, ‘Let’s start a band!’ But it was always kind of a joke until we got to the point where we were like, ‘Wait, this doesn’t have to be a joke. This can be a real thing and we can do this because we want to.”
The 90’s: Hip-Hop Feminism
As hip-hop gained traction in the 90s, more women came to the forefront of both the DJ, rap, and R&B scenes. They all brought femininity and sexual exploration to the genre, something new to a corner of music heavily dominated by men at the time.
Thanks to the all-female trio, Salt-N-Pepa, the world of male-dominated hip-hop was transformed. Songs like " Push It" brought style, class, sexuality, and shamelessness to the genre.
“Girl power is being able to do things just as well as — or even better than — the boys, and be what we want to be”, explained Mel C (Sporty Spice) of The Spice Girls, who rose to fame for their upfront music at the end of the 90s. The girl group took on different female archetypes like “the sporty one, the posh one, the ever young one,” embracing feminine personality and bringing it into their music.
Missy Elliott’s famous single “Work It” is often hailed as hip-hop feminism as it promotes female confidence and uses lyrics like “flip it and reverse it” to allude to both sexual fantasy and how female MCs have paved the way for women in hip-hop.
Girl group, Destiny’s Child, brought female empowerment to mainstream R&B. Their hit single "Independent Women, Pt. 1" is included on their album Survivor which chronicles female resilience.
Today’s Feminist Anthems
A lot has changed in the last century regarding feminism. Today, we are used to hearing feminist anthems in mainstream music, yet the fight for quality for women in music is an on-going battle.
For Beyoncé, her music centers around owning sexuality, challenging beauty standards. Anthems like "Run The World (Girls)" and (Flawless!) turned the word feminist - what was previously considered a controversial label - into an empowering one.
Taylor Swift has broken countless records for her work as a woman in music. Yet, the recent loss of her masters at the hands of the men in charge of her former label, Big Machine Records, has led her to speak openly for female artists' and songwriters' rights.
Today’s Song & Style Icons
Katy Perry has been both a song and style icon throughout her career. Her on-stage outfits bring a fun side to performing, and songs like her single "Roar" encourage listeners to be brave and defy the way society expects them to act.
Pop queen Lady Gaga has never shied away from self-expression in her music. Gaga embraces whatever inspires her stylistically, and her music is a testament self-acceptance and self-love.
Billie Eilish creates music and showcases style for today's generation. Criticized for not wearing traditionally feminine clothing, Eilish stands up for style and expression in all forms, allowing her own comfort and personality to showcase who she is.