5 Empowering Feminist Anthems by Female Artists

Music has the power to empower the voices of people who are silenced by oppressive forces. Female artists utilize the stage to not only amplify their stories, but the stories of a million other women who look up to them as inspiration. These female artists exude the confident necessary to narrate their own experiences in a male-dominated society, specifically music industry. From electronic synths to disco pop, here is a playlist of empowering feminist anthems by women artists.

BEYONCÉ — RUN THE WORLD (GIRLS)

Who runs the world? Beyoncé, obviously. How could we not include Queen Bey in a playlist of feminist anthems? She is an ace of talent and exudes confidence in the most elegant ways. Accompanied by electronic instrumentals and addictive wooden percussions, “Run the World (Girls)” is a liberating anthem about female empowerment. The multi-hyphenate Houston megastar not only proudly chants that women are global leaders, but she also declares that women are capable of such responsibility while remaining “smart enough to make these millions” and “strong enough to bear the children.”

Connect with Beyoncé: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

GLORIA GAYNOR — I WILL SURVIVE

Nothing radiates more female resilience than the 1978 classic, “I Will Survive,” performed by Gloria Gaynor. Titled the Queen of Disco, Gaynor mourns her separation from a romantic partner while simultaneously questioning her ability to live an independent life. However, she realizes that she is more than capable, belting, “But now I hold my head up high and you see me / Somebody new / I’m not that chained-up little person still in love with you.” Sung by women far and wide, this Disco hit transcends decades and remains a feminist anthem in 2021.

Connect with Gloria Gaynor: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

TAYLOR SWIFT — THE MAN

Released in Taylor Swift’s seventh studio, Lover, “The Man” exemplifies the double standards various women in their professional pursuits have experienced. Swift expresses her disdain for the lack of acknowledgement towards her contribution towards the music industry, stating, “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man.” Women in the media are constantly under a microscope, quickly scrunitized for a wrong move. Unfortunately, Taylor Swift has experienced misogyny from under the lime light for the length of her 15-year artist career. However, this anthem provides Swift with her own internalized validation for her justified rage, declaring, “They paint me out to be bad / So it’s okay that I’m mad.”

Connect with Taylor Swift: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

JANELLE MONÁE — PYNK

Nothing screams female empowerment more than embracing female anatomy and sexuality, and no one does that better than future-pop visionary Janelle Monáe. With a career inspired by sci-fi imagery, Monáe is accustomed to capturing the unimaginable and unthinkable in various creative mediums, such as film and music. The color pink is a recurring theme in the song, “PYNK.” Traditionally associated with feminine qualities, the color pink is a euphemism for a vagina. Monáe compares the shade to things related to the female sexual experience such as, “the tongue that goes down.” Paired with the pink oasis-like music video, “PYNK” amplifies femininity far beyond physical female gentalia because feminine expression is not dictated by biological anatomy.

Connect with Janelle Monáe: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

KEHLANI — CRZY

A woman proud of her mass success is a woman to be feared, but most importantly, awed– Kehlani knows this all to well. Produced by two woman production/songwriting duo NOVA WAV, “CRZY” is an unapologetic anthem for women who have been belittled despite their accomplishments. In this track, Kehlani asserts herself in the narrative and declares, “Everything I do, I do it with a passion / If I gotta be a bitch, I’mma be a bad one.” Women are often labeled “crazy” or “psychotic” as a means to disparage their presence, and essentially minimize or silence their voice. Yet, Kehlani embraces this image while simultaneously celebrating her accomplishments because “All this shit I’ve been through / And it made me more of an assassin.”

Connect with Kehlani: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

Contributor: Ashley Torres