Though growing up with a base of soul, funk, and R&B from my parents, for the rest of my childhood a lot of my music listening experience was devoted to boy bands, with the exception of one group. The Spice Girls. Sure, it’s easy to talk down to the super pop British act. But, to me, these five women exuded strength, and yeah, girl power. I was obsessed. Completely obsessed.
As it happened when I reached middle school my tastes had changed again. No longer did I have a craving for Whitney, and The Spice Girls. Now I had turned to Christina Aguilera for female musical guidance. I thought her first couple albums were just the bee’s knee’s. In my mind X-tina could do no wrong. Yes, she was over the line of being a stripper pole away from a cry for attention. But, she had a phenomenal voice and there was no denying that. It wasn’t until she started to sound like every other pop star on the radio that I had to put down my Aguilera pom-poms and put my support on hold.
By the time I had given up on Christina Aguilera I was about fifteen/sixteen years old. I had a brief stint as a P!nk wannabe when I was thirteen that didn’t last past her first album. Here begins my deep worshipping of classic blues and rock n roll. I started to feel like no female in the music industry in 2003/2004 could speak to me musically. I turned to Janis Joplin, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, the Wilson sisters and Sarah Vaughn. For the rest of high school I had no intention of listening to any female singers whose music arose after I was born. Male performers were still safe. Females really needed to step up their game. I was done with the pop-tart performers, only selling because of theatrics, and boobs. In a way I was boycotting this music world where (at the time) people like Ashlee Simpson and Avril Lavigne were legally allowed to continuously make music. It didn’t make sense to me.
It wasn’t until my very last year in high school that I had a turn around. Thank you Amy Winehouse. And, I’ve been so happy to be back in the female world of music. It’s not to say that I don’t think there is a lot of crap out there. Because trust me, I do. But, there is just so so much to love about female music right now.
Everyone has heard the voices of Adele and Amy Winehouse. The two voices that restored my faith in the female singer. But there are so many other powerhouses that, I think, are starting to shape the music industry in a good way.
Joss Stone. Besides being seemingly one of the coolest people in the music industry, Stone obviously has a butter smooth, soulful voice. When it comes to Joss Stone, there are no frills just plain raw talent.
Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes. Howard’s voice is reminiscent of another time. Her southern soul infusing into Alabama Shakes souther rock band is not unlike the great works of Janis Joplin or Tina Turner.
Lana Del Rey. A voice so unique, it is not placeable. Lana sounds like a crooning, 60’s songstress. She is untouchable, simple because no one can sing like Lana can.
Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. I consider it a success when my parents musical tastes start to mesh with my own. Female funk and soul never sounded so good. Jones is old school in a modern world, and makes it work.
Those were just to name a few. Laura Marling, Duffy, Florence Welch, Esperanza Spalding are some other names in popular music that I think deserve major attention.
All in all, I am pleased at the direction female music is moving. And, look forward to what’s to come.
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