Spotlight: Women in Music

Rinah Milter 

Music Journalist 

March brings one of the best months of the year – Women’s History Month. And where would we be without the contributions of our women? In the music industry, the answer is clear: we’d be nowhere near where we are today. I find it incredibly inspiring to see some of the most decorated and groundbreaking artists shape the industry. This month, I want to celebrate their impact by diving into the legacies of some of the most influential women in music—past and present.“ 

Within each genre, there are artists that stand out, and each deserve their own flowers. From contemporary music to music from 50 years ago, women have been paving the way for future generations to make a name for themselves. Here are a few that come to mind:  

Jazz- Ella Fitzgerald  

Ella Fitzgerald nicknamed the “First Lady of Song” is number one on my list. Her influence on jazz will be marked for generations to come, and deservedly so. Originally classically trained, her vocal technique is insanely meticulous, that it revolutionary at the time. She had a warm color to her voice, and it was her signature singing style. She is known for having a clear tone, improvisational ability (called scat singing), and her vocal range which was three octaves. When you listen to her songs, it’s insane to hear how particular she is, everything she does is intentional. My best recommendation to hear the full vitality of her voice is “No Moon at All.” It’s the little nuances that she adds to make the tune. She was a trailblazer in her own right.

Rock- Stevi Nicks  

Everybody knows Stevi Nicks from Fleetwood Mac, but she had such a big impact on rock storytelling and image. Her most memorable performance during her time in Fleetwood Mac would be her performance of “Rhiannon” in 1976 filmed for the Midnight Special in London. She completely embodied the song and exuded a sense of “witch-iness’ that the song has. Stevi Nicks has always been a sort of wanderer, and not afraid to be authentically herself. She wrote what she wanted and was very successful, especially with her solo career, which is not always the case.  

Pop- Whitney Houston  

Whitney Houston is a powerhouse in her own right. I think everybody knows the intense vocal range that she had, but also the power behind each song. Nobody can ever come close to her vocal prowess in my opinion, as her voice was one of a kind. She had a crossover appeal with her voice, power ballads and upbeat pop songs. Not everyone can do both, but she definitely could.  

Rap- Doechii 

Doechii is relatively new in the industry, but she’s made a massive cultural impact already. Her rap style is unlike the mainstream artists that you hear right now, and her artistic expression is very unique. What really got me hooked on her was her NPR tiny desk performance where she put almost a gospel twist on her songs, and she rapped “NISSAN ALTIMA” from her mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal” 2 times as fast as the studio version. It shows just how talented she really is. Everyone knows her from introducing herself to the class 5 years ago, but the pipeline from TikTok music star to Grammy winner is insane and deserved.  

Alternative/Indie- Amy Winehouse  

To me, Amy Winehouse definitely had that one-of-a-kind voice where she can sing literally anything. She was a master at blending jazz, soul, and indie influences in her music. Her lyrics were full of heart and why she appealed to everyone was because of how genuinely she portrayed herself and her experiences. Even now, she has a long-lasting cultural impact, and her music is still repeating on everyone’s playlists.  

I could name so many other women who are equally as talented in their own genres, and they all deserve their recognition too. However, everyone’s list is subjective, and there are women artists out there that I haven’t even heard. I just know that the women who paved the way in the music industry did it not only for themselves, but for the little girls who want to pursue their dreams.