Black women are the blueprint for the music industry and continue to lead the way

Written By: Atheena Alonzo @yn4ashlee

When discussing icons in music, it is impossible not to celebrate and acknowledge the Black artists who changed the scene. Brandy, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, TLC, SWV: these are your favourite artists’ major inspirations. These women continue to inspire the next generation of Black musicians, proving that Black women are the foundations of music and are still running the game!

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  via google arts and culture

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  via google arts and culture

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From left to right: Whitney Houston (via Google Arts and Culture), Janet Jackson (via Google Arts and Culture), Brandy (via Instagram, photographed by @mr_dadams)

When you see the pop girls killing it on stage with intense, upbeat choreography, thank Janet Jackson! Whitney Houston seriously changed the game, proving that a Black woman could dominate the charts (the only artist with seven consecutive #1 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100) and compete as a vocal force to be reckoned with. Destiny’s Child, SWV and TLC perfected how to stand out in a sea of girl groups. Brandy’s signature light sound, built through countless stacked harmonies, has been studied and heard repeatedly as the formula for a successful sound.

These women left an impressive stamp on culture and changed the narrative for Black women in the music industry.

The current music landscape continues to be curated by young Black women. The internet has been wondering where all the modern-day Black pop girls are – they have been around, working hard and shaping the new waves of modern music through genre blending and versatile sounds whilst carrying on the legacy of those before them.

Flo photographed by @celestesloman (IG) for InStyle Magazine

Dubbed this generation’s ‘Destiny’s Child’, FLO has filled in the trio-shaped hole that many fans craved, offering complex harmonies, intricate riffs, and sisterhood. FLO has named the likes of SWV, Brandy, and Aaliyah countless times as their main inspirations, and they are at the forefront of this comeback and emergence of girl groups. Having just finished their Asia tour, FLO recently announced the news of their US and Europe leg of the Therapy at the Club tour, their biggest one yet. They debuted at #5 on the UK official albums chart and are selling out venues like OVO Wembley Arena. There is no doubt that FLO are a group fated for greatness through their solid artistic direction, chemistry, and insane vocal talent.

Natanya photographed by @alexradota (IG) for The FADER magazine

Another female Black Brit who is on the rise to global stardom is Natanya. The 24-year-old from North London is about to begin her first headliner tour, ‘The Attitude Tour,’ in Paris on 24^th October and will be performing across stages all over Europe and North America. Her soulful, jazz, pop, R&B songs have garnered the attention of artists like Ravyn Lenae and PinkPantheress (two Black women who are also transforming modern music) for whom Natanya opened on tour. Natanya has credited Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson as some of her musical muses; however, it is clear she is crafting her own persona and bringing everything new to the table from sound to fashion sense.

Jae Stephens photographed by @bradleymeinz (IG) for NME Magazine

Brandy, Beyoncé and Jackson are still influencing the artists of today, and one of them is pop girl Jae Stephens, who recently released their debut album ‘Audacity’. Stephens has developed a distinct language of maximalist hyper beats with flirty lyrics which have been racking up virality across social media. Alongside her fun, explosive sound, the 29-year-old also delivers striking visuals and energetic performances, proving that she is a Black pop girl who can do it all from discussing being a Black popstar on her Sellout podcast to serving a nasty 8 count. Stephens is currently opening for the UK and Europe leg of Khalid’s ‘It’s Always Summer Somewhere’ tour, from Amsterdam to Berlin, taking her talent worldwide.

Music would be nothing without the Black artists of then, and it would not evolve without the Black women of today. Let us give them the love and praise they deserve, and next time you pop in your earbuds to listen to your favourite artist, note that a Black girl probably inspired them!