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This March, we honor Women’s History Month worldwide by celebrating trailblazing women in music. We celebrate these women by acknowledging them and their achievements. It’s important to know and continue to learn about impactful women and specifically their impact on music. Let’s take a look at some impactful women in the music industry.
Title, author, source, license.
Dolly Parton on American Idol, Alejo Castillo, Flickr, Creative Commons
Dolly Parton, one of the most influential and well-known women in the music industry has become one of the biggest female artists in the world. Dolly Parton is a country songwriter and a singer but she was also a philanthropist, a businesswoman, and a successful actor. According to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, “With their strong feminine stances in the 1960s and 1970s, Parton and fellow pioneers Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette revolutionized the world of country music for women performers.” Parton, originally from Tennessee, was born into a big family, herself being the fourth of twelve children. Parton’s mother was also a singer who taught Dolly many different kinds of music that made her who she is today (The Country Music Hall of Fame). Parton grew up in the world of music and certainly became a prominent figure in the music industry.
Celine Dion 3, YéTi urbain, Flickr, Creative Commons
Celine Dion is a Canadian singer with a powerful voice and was regarded “as one of pop music’s most influential artists” by Vogue. Dion has won many awards in her time as a singer and songwriter, including an honor from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for selling over 50 million albums in Europe (Vogue). Even with a family, Dion was very successful in her music career. During the Taking Chances World Tour she performed in 25 countries and came back and year later to focus on family (Vogue). She has proved herself in many ways and is still one of the most famous singers of all time.
Lana Del Rey // Mitsubishi Electric Hall, Andre T., Flickr, Creative Commons
Lana Del Rey is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. Lana rose to fame in 2011 with a debut single and her career skyrocketed from there. According to The Western Howl, “Growing up singing in church, Del Rey was later sent to a boarding school as a teenager for her deviant behavior. It wasn’t until a couple of years after she finished school that she started her music career.” Lana connects to people ranging from all ages. She understands the troubled youth and can bring them comfort while pleasing all crowds with her powerful voice. Just like every artist, Lana faced criticism and hate for her music and persona but that never stopped her from making music that she loves. The Western Howl says, “Despite the criticism, Lana Del Rey has grown to become an incredibly successful and influential artist. Her music has been praised for its haunting beauty, melancholic lyrics, and vintage aesthetic. Her albums have topped the charts in multiple countries and sold millions of records worldwide.
Lauryn Hill – Rock the Bells, Tony Felgueiras, Flickr, Creative Commons
Lauryn Hill is known to be a singer, a songwriter, and a rapper, all of that stemmed from an interest in music when Hill was just a child. Both her mother and father loved music and her older brother influenced her with the number of instruments he played (Academy of Achievement). According to the Academy of Achievement, “In high school she met two young immigrants from Haiti, Pras Michel and Wyclef Jean, who invited her to join the hip hop group they were forming called the Fugees (short for refugees). Lauryn became one of the group’s songwriters, as well as a rapper and vocalist.” This was a big turning point in her life and because she joined, The Fugees became a big deal and a very popular trio of artists. Taryn Smith, a teacher here at Champaign Central likes Lauryn Hill. She says, “This woman used her music to promote messages that were vital to hugely important topics such as domestic abuse, racism, feminism, poverty, women’s health care, and the overall disregard for female talent.” It’s no doubt that Lauryn Hill has become a regular name in the music history books and there’s no doubt of her success.
Beyonce VMA Red Carpet, mp3waxx.com, Flickr, Creative Commons
Beyonce, one of the most well-known names in the music industry. Beyonce rose to fame in the late 90s as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child. She has since split into her own personal career and has broken records with her wonderful voice and powerful words. According to Mediakron, “Her wildly well-known singles have made the iTunes top ten list multiple times, and she has won a total of 18 Grammy awards for her music.” She has made quite an impact on a lot of people, including younger people in our very own school. Students such as Madison Lewis believe women like Beyonce “Always work hard for what she wants and encourages other women like her to do the same”.
Women have been in the music industry for years, breaking records and norms. Everyone will have their opinions but there is no doubt that these women have shaped the music industry in their own ways, encouraging people of all ages that their dreams and goals matter. There are many different lenses to look through when it comes to women in history. If you want to know more, look them up, learn about what they’ve done, and remember them as we move through this month.