Influential Women in the Music Industry Throughout the Decades

As the decades have progressed, the roles and influences of women can be tracked through their development in the music industry. There have been many leading women in this industry to set records as well as gender equality. Many of these female artists have been inspiring to many other women across different generations. Here are some of the different influential women in the music industry throughout the decades.

1960s

During the 1960s there was an emergence of women in the music industry. Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Etta James, and Tina Turner are well known for being referred to as the voices of the decade, and some of the most influential female musicians of all time. Artists like these were able to break down barriers of gender and racial inequality to allow more women and people of color to be in the music industry. They had been able to break records in a male-dominated industry. These artists maintain successful careers in a time of many gender restrictions by leading a path for female artists of the upcoming decades. Many musicians still feature the artists of this decade in their music today. They are still relevant, and able to inspire musicians to this day. 

1970s

The 1970s brought out artists like Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, and Dolly Parton. The 1970s incorporated more political influence into the music industry, attracting even more female musicians. The influential women of this decade were featured in a wide-range of genres, such as country and rock. However, despite there being an influx in political influence in music, many of the musicians of the previous decades hadn’t voiced their opinions when it came to the topic of women’s empowerment. The women of this generation were not afraid to voice their opinions about the gender related concerns of the 1970s. Majority of top female artists of this time have been awarded for their music, for instance being inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and winning multiple Grammy Awards. The artists of this decade are all still very well-known and appreciated for their talent today.

1980s

The 1980s produced some of the most successful female musicians in the music industry, such as Madonna, Joan Jett, Kate Bush, Lita Ford, and Whitney Houston. Madonna had a very strong impact on the rise of the pop music scene. The rock and roll industry was dominated by men until Joan Jett and Lita Ford challenged the rock scene, and influenced the future of the industry. Joan Jett was very vocal about fighting for the injustices of the music industry. These musicians held a powerful presence on stage as confident frontwomen. A number of female artists during this decade helped make music what it is today in a number of different ways. 

1990s

With the rise of feminism in the 1990s, artists like Mariah Carey, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morrissette, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, and Shania Twain rose in popularity. The music of this time was known for being revolutionary with many women involved in political activism, especially with the newly formed genre of “riot grrrl”. A genre created by feminist punk bands, such as Bikini Kill and Hole to voice their opinions against all forms of injustice by embedding it in their music. Many other female artists outside of this genre strongly influenced the music industry.  Sarah McLachlan, created the all-female festival, Lilith Fair, to celebrate and promote women in music. Mainstream and alternative female musicians were both very represented in this decade, shaping the future of women in the music industry.

2000s

In the 2000s, artists like Britney Spears, Rhianna, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen Stefani dominated the charts in pop music. These artists are all known for their strong vocals and influence in pop music. Avril Lavinge was very influential in the rock industry, and represented women in the pop rock genre. These artists have all provided many iconic songs throughout the decade. With the popularity of music videos, many of the women in this decade won awards for their creativity and expression in their music videos. Women during this decade of music were not afraid to break gender norms. The female musicians of this decade shaped the musical landscape of pop music and culture. 

2010s

The 2010s possessed many emerging pop stars, including Katy Perry, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Adele, and Lady Gaga. These artists have been known to speak out for girls and women across social media platforms and embed it in their music. Many of Beyonce’s hits were about women empowerment, such as “Run The World (Girls)” and “Single Ladies”. Many of these musicians included themes of feminism in their music. The musicians of this generation have been known to address societal issues with their platforms. Some of these singers have provided unforgettable Super Bowl Halftime performances as well. These musicians are all very significant to the music industry. 

2020s

Recently, there has been a large amount of female representation in the music industry. Taylor Swift has been breaking records and climbing the music charts with her recent albums and the “Eras Tour”. Many other notable female artists have been climbing the charts in recent years, such as Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, and Billie Eilish. Many of these artists have gone above and beyond in their career. These artists have been known to connect to their fans on a personal level. The women in the music industry of this generation have given unforgettable performances by using their talent and empowerment to inspire a generation of young girls.    

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