Written by: Caroline Walters
Women are changing the music industry as we know it, & since March is Women’s History Month, we wanted to take today to celebrate some of our favorite female musicians. From household names such as Taylor Swift & Madonna to newer artists like Olivia Rodrigo, women have been dominating the music industry for the past few years! 💪🏼
One of the most prominent women in music today is Taylor Swift. With over 200 million records sold worldwide, Taylor has become one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She has broken numerous records, including being the first female artist to win Album of the Year twice at the Grammy Awards. In 2022, following the release of her 10th album Midnights, Taylor broke the record for highest-selling physical release in the United States! Over 575k copies of the 1.3 million she sold were vinyl, which broke yet another record! Taylor Swift's music is not only catchy and relatable but also empowering, making her a role model for young women everywhere! Taylor proves again that she’s a role model when she donates to the Reading Public Library and even donating to help fans pay their tuition! 📚
Another iconic woman in music is Dolly Parton! With over 100 million records sold and multiple Grammy Awards to her name, Dolly has become a country music legend. She has also broken records in other areas, such as being the first country artist to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Dolly Parton's music has inspired generations, and her philanthropic work with funding literacy programs helps show off her generous heart as well. 📖
Donna Summer, often referred to as the "Queen of Disco," revolutionized the genre with her iconic hits such as "I Feel Love" and "Last Dance." Her powerful voice and electrifying performances captivated audiences and revolutionized disco. Donna’s music was not just popular, it was groundbreaking. She was one of the first artists to use electronic synthesizers and sequencers in her music, creating a new sound that was both futuristic and infectious. Hits like "Love to Love You Baby," "Hot Stuff," and "Bad Girls" became classics of the era and have been sampled and covered by many artists over the years. Throughout her career, Summer won five Grammy Awards, and she was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the US Billboard 200 chart! She also supported charities like the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the American Cancer Society, and performed a benefit concert for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation! 🤍
Lady Gaga, known for her unique style and theatrical performances, has also made a significant impact on the music industry. With hits like "Poker Face" and "Bad Romance," Lady Gaga has won numerous awards, including 12 Grammy Awards and three Brit Awards, and has sold over 124 million records worldwide. During the 2019 awards season, Lady Gaga became the first woman to win an Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, and Golden Globe in the same year for her acting and songwriting in the movie A Star Is Born. Lady Gaga actually co-founded the Born this Way Foundation in 2011 to help support mental health endeavors and educate people about mental health! 🥺
Lizzo is another influential artist who has made a significant impact on the music industry! She has broken numerous records during her career, and her hit single "Truth Hurts" even spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the first Black solo female artist to achieve this! In addition to her music, Lizzo has become a powerful voice for body positivity and self-love, inspiring young women around the world to embrace themselves and be proud of who they are. Her influence goes beyond just music, and she’s been recognized for her activism and philanthropy, using her platform to advocate for social justice issues and support various charitable causes such as Meals on Wheels, The Trevor Project, and Classroom Central! 🥰
Madonna, who’s often referred to as the "Queen of Pop," has been a trailblazer in the music industry for over four decades. She has sold over 300 million records worldwide, won numerous awards, and has broken many records throughout her career, including being the highest-grossing solo touring artist of all time! She’s also the only person to have 50 songs reach number one on any Billboard chart! Her philanthropic work includes donations to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and working with other organizations like Rock the Vote! 🤩
Beyoncé, one of the most influential and successful musicians of all time, has broken countless records throughout her career. Not only is she the top-selling artist of the 2000s decade with 29.5 million albums sold, but she also holds the record for most Grammy wins! With over 118 million records sold worldwide and 28 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé has become a cultural icon and a fierce advocate for women's empowerment and social justice. She founded the BeyGOOD Foundation in 2013 to support global humanitarian and environmental causes and has been very active with the Global Girls campaign! 💖
Younger, up-and-coming artists like Olivia Rodrigo have also made incredible waves in the music industry. In early 2021, Olivia released her debut single, "drivers license," which became an instant hit. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and broke several records, including having the most single-day streams ever for a non-holiday song on Spotify. The song's success made her the youngest artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! Olivia writes songs based on her own experiences, and this makes her incredibly relatable to young women everywhere. Her success has made her a role model for young women, and we can’t wait to see what records she breaks with her second album! Olivia has outwardly expressed her support for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She's also started to work with the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition and even worked with the White House to encourage young people to get vaccinated! 🗳
These women are just a few examples of the many women who have made incredible contributions to the music industry! As we celebrate Women's History Month and think about all of our favorite female musicians, we hope this can inspire the next generation of women in music to follow in their footsteps! If there’s anyone you want to celebrate with us, let us know on our Instagram or Twitter! 💜
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