“The Lost Ones” is an anthem of sorts, not just for the under dogs, but, for everyone. Even the person who seems to have it all goes through hard times in life, times of feeling lost, defeated, hopeless. Florrie took that feeling and turned it into words of encouragement and of resilience. As Florrie stated on her social media, about six years ago she was dropped from her record label and, apparently, told to quit music. Now, as Florrie also states, she is set to release her debut album this year. So, this song is, indeed, an anthem, not just for her, but for everyone. It’s a call to never forget your dreams, and, to always create more of them. Although we may appear “lost”, we could be right where we’re meant to be. “We’re the lost ones, yeah, it’s a jungle, yeah.” Florrie sings in this upbeat gem of a song. Although one can certainly get lost in the jungle, they can also be found. Florrie notes in the song that, although we get “lost” and listen to the noise sometimes in life, hope is always readily available. I find it worth duly noting that Florrie uses loads of “we” statements, to invoke a sense of belonging with everyone. All throughout the song we get both sides of life, positive and negative, pessimistic and optimistic, obstacles and solutions. “We’re broken, yeah, but we’re hopeful, yeah.” The words immediately followed by the resolve felt throughout the song. She continues “When the best wasn’t good enough, we kept moving on.” I’m sure we’re all fully aware of the crushing defeat felt when your best isn’t good enough. However, just like earlier, we get the immediate follow up sprinkled with hope with “We kept moving on.” Just because it looks hopeless, doesn’t mean that it actually is. “We’re the lost ones, it’s a jungle, our thorns are buried deep, but we see beauty in our dreams.” Our dreams are our fuel to continue in life, when our “thorns” seem to be buried deep. Florrie makes the beautiful point of – Never lose hope. Thank you, Florrie, for this fierce reminder.   Florrie, whose name is no doubt derived from her birth name, Florence, is a 35-year-old drummer, model, singer, and songwriter. So, more than likely, yes that’s her killing it on the drums in “The Lost Ones”. Florrie has been playing instruments, writing songs for others acts while singing both in bands and solo for many years now. She currently has 190,000 followers on Facebook, 135,000 followers on Instagram, over 104,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, over 191,000 followers on Tik Tok, as well as 135,000 subscribers on YouTube. She will be going on tour beginning this May and recently announced that her debut album, also titled “The Lost Ones” will be released on June 14th of this year. We wish her the best and look forward to seeing where her journey leads her. Stream the single “The Lost Ones” and pre-save the album of the same name from her socials below!   Written By Keiunna Thompson FOLLOW FLORRIE: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

Relationships don't always go exactly how we want them to. Nothing hurts worse than when something you felt would last forever, is suddenly gone with no warning. In Anna Duboc's song "Plot Twist", she refers to a past breakup as a plot twist that maybe they could've looked past. Just like in romance movies where a couple has the biggest fight of their life, but they still end up together and live happily ever after; that's what this song feels like. It's that type of relationship you never wanted to end, and wish that you could go back and do things differently, or at least try to make them stay. Reminiscing on the good and beautiful moments you had with them only makes the longing and heartache stronger. "Plot Twist" is a stunning ballad for all us sad girls out there who have experienced a heartbreak like this one. "Plot Twist" by Anna Duboc is a gorgeous pop ballad that knows how to pull at your heartstrings. The groove is classically beautiful with heavenly vocal harmonies that make the song sonically magical to listen to. Anna's voice is raw and mesmerizing as she sings about this tragic tale. The lyrics are complex and highly emotional, especially within the second verse. Prepare yourself, because I was holding my breath almost the entire time. If you're a fan of Taylor Swift, Conan Gray, and/or Gracie Abrams, I think this song will become one of your new favorites. The The instrumentation has a realness to it that mixes so well with not only the vulnerable lyrical style but Anna's incredible voice as well. Anna Duboc is a 17-year-old indie-pop singer/songwriter who is absolutely beyond her years. Singing ever since she was a little girl, Anna has developed herself as an artist through the years and officially released her debut single, "Feel The Glow" at the young age of 13. She also attended Adderley School for musical theatre and is now an A+ student in high school. Over the past few years she's managed to gain a lot of social media attention, with over 25 million views on TikTok and 30,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify. Her most recent single, "Poetry" which was released in 2023 is an incredible song about getting lost in a story and wanting to be someone else for just a moment. You can read our review on "Poetry" right here! Make sure to follow Anna below; I can't wait to hear what she comes up with next. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW ANNA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Website | YouTube

Estella Dawn expresses her more vulnerable side in her new single, “If You Were in Love”. With heart-wrenching lyrics and a cathartic production, Dawn shares the story of unrequited love. Throughout the song, she divulges her experience with a past lover who could not fully commit. While she was ready to jump in, they were unable to reciprocate these feelings. In the chorus, she sings “If you were in love, you would’ve said it by now// The more that I hold on, the more you hold out// Why am I tryna convince you// you want me around?// I don’t recognize myself now.” With these lines, Dawn tells the audience that this relationship has turned her into someone she is not. She is confused and saddened by the indecision of her former partner. During the bridge, the song takes a sudden turn. Dawn tells the subject that it is only a matter of time before she finally walks away. And when they come crawling back, finally needing her the way she always wanted, it will be too late. This shift then changes the final chorus as she sings, “If you are in love, better say it now// I can’t hold on when you hold out// I don’t want to convince you you need me around// I don’t recognize myself.” These lyrics parallel the original chorus while representing the newfound freedom and self-love that Dawn embraced in the bridge. This ingenious change turns the song from a melancholic ballad to an empowering anthem, once again highlighting the singer’s remarkable songwriting talent. Estella Dawn is a versatile artist with many talents, from singing and songwriting to producing. While each of her skills shine through in every single release, her unique and powerful voice is what initially drew me to her music. If she was a contestant in a singing competition, she would be the artist I would predict to win—and I would be right. Her voice has such a mesmerizing cadence and tone that is often not heard in modern music, and yet she blends perfectly with the style, making her one of the most stunning musicians in the industry. Similar to other releases, “If You Were in Love” showcases her phenomenal range from her lower register to higher notes without overshadowing the poetic lyrics. Throughout the track, Dawn’s unique production uses a bass that is designed to make the listener feel it in their bones. The song does not just resonate with the listener; it resonates through them. This enhances the emotional element of the song, bringing another layer to the vulnerability. With the combination of the subtle guitar, deep bass drums, and blues-style cymbals, “If You Were In Love” contains an incredibly dynamic production that is another perfect addition to Dawn’s impeccable discography. Estella Dawn is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from New Zealand, now based in San Diego. Her music does not stick to one style but rather mixes the sounds of multiple genres to create her own unique sound. In 2018, she made her debut with her first single, “Feet". She released several singles leading up to the onset of the global pandemic. During quarantine, she took the time to hone in on her sound and capture her true essence within her music. That year she released 10 original singles every six weeks, defining her impeccable ability to keep audiences engaged with anticipation of her next masterpiece. Since then, Dawn has released several more incredible singles, and she continues to release music that reels hundreds of thousands of listeners. Her creativity shines through every single one of her releases and she shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW ESTELLA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Website | YouTube

Marcus Mackey delivers an enthralling alt-pop ballad with his latest single, Good Boy Gone ; providing listeners with a powerful call to arms centered on self-empowerment, personal growth, and overcoming life's obstacles. Mackey gives a call to action by inviting his audience to take a leap of faith with him, through the line "Tell me everything you want, I'll be waiting at the door" – painting himself as an inspirational figure ready to take you away to a better place. In the tune's hook, Marcus melodically beckons "See me in your dreams like a goddess, can't you see that I'm Godless, follow me we can be so lawless"; creating a higher level of artistic symbolism that is reminiscent of iconic folk songs of years past, but conveyed through a new wave pop lens. This a catchy, infectious little ditty that true pop fans are sure to love and want to play on repeat when they need an extra boost during a long day. Good Boy Gone opens with a clean guitar riff soaked in reverb, setting a truly dreamy atmosphere for the listener. After a pensive instrumental intro, the first verse kicks off with percussive plucked guitar and Mackey's crisp vocals. The verse begins its crescendo into the pre-chorus with a looped drum break, sampled and sped up in the spirit of classic UK Drum n' Bass music. The pre-chorus offers a short break from the energetic build, trading the tense percussion for lush pads and soaring vocals. The chorus of the track hits like a freight train hauling a punchy DnB drum groove, atmospheric synths/vocal effects, and thick synth basslines. As the song progresses, the arrangement takes an interesting shift into a non-lyrical vocal chant, cut with Mackey's titular hook sung with a heavy dose of conviction. Good Boy Gone closes out the same way it opened, with a dreamy but concise outro – perfectly reflective of this dynamic track. Hailing from Bakersfield, California, Marcus Mackey is an up-and-coming indie pop talent best known for his singles S.E.L. and Mona Lisa . Marcus and his twin brother, Anthony, grew up with a deep appreciation for art and music – which has since led to his young and burgeoning career as an artist in the music industry. Marcus cites his biggest challenge within the music industry as being having to overcome his "demons, doubts, and the voices inside [his] head" in order to come to terms with putting himself and his music out there for the world to judge. According to him – his work is internal, it's in his soul, and all he had to do to take the next step in his music career was shut out the outside noise and focus on his inner voice to truly become happy and "get to work". In a past life, Marcus flourished as an All-Star cheerleader on a world-ranked team, before falling in love with musical theatre and his high school's performance group. These days, you can find Mackey collaborating with producer Luke Villemur and performing locally around the greater Los Angeles metro area. Written By Dan Caddigan FOLLOW MARCUS MACKEY: Instagram   | Spotify  | TikTok  | Soundcloud | Twitter   *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Debuting her first single, Frances Whitney has kicked her career off on a strong note with "Easy Street." The track is Whitney's first release since being signed to 604 Records, showcasing a lyricism that will resonate with listeners across the globe. Illuminating the inspiration behind the song's composition, the artist reveals, "'Easy Street' was inspired by the nauseating internal loop I repeatedly experienced in a years-long break up with someone — of missing the good times so much that I’d question whether time could bring us back together, healed & mature. By the end of this rumination, I’d usually reach the same, sad realization that no matter how deep our love ran, our wounds are also too deep & our beliefs too incompatible for us to ever 'make it to Easy Street.' Ultimately, the song’s hopeful — I really believe a calmer, gentler, and more sustainable love is out there for me — or anyone brave enough to slam shut the door on that person who didn’t treat them with the care they deserve." "Easy Street" is raw and authentic, providing a universally relatable narrative that will inspire hope in those struggling with heartache. Simple and honest, Frances Whitney pours her heart out over a scaled-back instrumentation in "Easy Street." The track features an acoustic soundscape, relying on tender, contemplative guitar riffs to support Whitney's reflective lyrics. Showcasing her mellifluous vocals, the artist delivers easygoing, breezy vocal lines, giving a lightness to the heavier realizations she comes to terms with. Though "Easy Street" delves into some sadder feelings, Whitney is careful to intertwine feelings of hope and optimism into the placid, pleasant melodies present throughout the verses and choruses. Hailing from San Francisco, California, Frances Whitney is an alt-pop singer-songwriter on the rise. Though she spent time overseas playing volleyball, the artist still found herself consistently being drawn to her guitar during her free time. After retiring from sports, Whitney made her way back to the US and launched herself into being a musician full-time, eventually signing with 604 Records along the way. Her nuanced sound is swirled with nods to Los Angeles' 70s rock stars and modern indie elements, embracing a timeless approach to pop that effortlessly combines contemporary with nostalgia. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW FRANCES WHITNEY: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

Germano's new single "sorry i'm a mess" is a tongue-in-cheek breakup anthem about being the reason a relationship ended abruptly. The singer-songwriter said a real-life breakup of his was the root of inspiration behind the track. "It was so out of left field to me that I thought I was the one to blame for the split," he says, "even though I later realized most of the reasons they gave me were actually out of my control." Unfortunately, it is a story we all know too well: blaming ourselves for a breakup that was not our fault. And in "sorry i'm a mess," Germano leans into this 'messy' role. The lyrics are self-deprecating as the song ironically flaunts all of these flaws. In the music video, Germano spraypaints his ex's car, hijacks life news- broadcasts, and even performs seances to try and get this person back---which we've all been there before. But for as funny as it can be, "sorry i'm a mess" is a sincere song; everyone has felt like they must not be good enough if this one individual does not like them back, and Germano writes about this experience candidly. Just the chorus, "sorry i'm such a mess / as you said it I did my best / if you give what you take / then why would you break up with me like that?" shows this universal feeling of wondering what could be wrong with you, when in reality, it's nothing. "sorry i'm a mess" is a relatable, and charming indie-pop groove. Germano wrote "sorry i'm a mess," all by himself and even self-directed the music video. This D.I.Y. approach translates into a gorgeous piece of bedroom pop. "sorry i'm a mess" is a low-key pop tune. The strumming guitars are subtle, and Germano sings in a chill, Clairo-esque tone. Though it may be quieter, the track is still incredibly melodic. The "then why would you break up with me like that?" is an instant earworm, and Germano sprinkles in catchy "La la las" throughout. "sorry i'm a mess" is the perfect song for singing and nodding along to during a late night drive--unless you were just abruptly broken up with, in which, it's the perfect song to scream along to. In this single, Germano proves himself to be a strong indie artist. Germano is a Brazilian-born singer-songwriter currently based in Los Angeles. His music inspiration comes from 2000s pop, indie, and hip-hop, which he merges to make his own sound. "sorry i'm a mess" is his first single since 2020, though it certainly will not be his last for the near future. The track is just the first release from many new records he plans on premiering this summer. In his career thus far, the artist has made a big splash already. On Spotify, his only two singles, "Cool" and "Lost Crowd," already have nearly 400,000 streams combined, and on YouTube, he has over 12,000 subscribers. It is exciting to see what Germano does next, as "sorry i'm a mess" proves it will be something worth listening to. Written By Lauren Nolan FOLLOW GERMANO: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

We've all encountered someone who seems like they have it all. Maybe they have money, popularity, looks, and a ton of friends. But upon closer inspection, you realize they never worked for it, and that they always expect things to go their way. Shane Rennison's new single, "What You Need To Know", is a letter to the self-absorbed. It's the brutally honest advice that looks fade and success isn't guaranteed. Rennison drives this point home in the lyrics with lines like, "When you're homesick, I just pray that there will be someone there", essentially telling the person in question that if they don't grow emotionally and treat people better, they may end up alone. With that said, the lyrics aren't preachy at all either. The song flows like a cross between shade and genuine concern, giving off a feeling of classy ambiguity. "What You Need To Know" has an extremely unique instrumental composition, prominently showcasing an elaborate piano part accompanied by the rhythm of a 12-string acoustic guitar. The heavy use of staccato layered patterns is reminiscent of artists like Jason Mraz and Kate Nash, but with its own spin. The piano and guitar are used interchangeably, adding texture to the whole experience. Rennison's smooth vocals and clever lyrics tie everything together, making for an honest and emotional song that still sounds lighthearted on the surface. This can be a powerful tool for artists, as it creates a catchy tune that gets its message across without being a slow ballad that listeners might not be inclined to play on repeat. I think "What You Need To Know" is great because it has a radio-ready sound while still having a deeper meaning. Shane Rennison is a US-based singer-songwriter, originally hailing from the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. He has often cited his mountain home as the inspiration for his work, including his 2023 EP, "Nice To Meet You". Despite being self-taught and a relatively new artist on the scene, Rennison has amassed over 1500 monthly Spotify listeners. And they're well-earned. Rennison's discography is humble, heartfelt, and nothing short of captivatingly unique. He's an artist who isn't afraid to break the traditional structure of pop music, and that's certainly a rare trait in today's music. If you're interested in hearing it for yourself, "What You Need To Know" is out now on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Written By Shelbi Baker FOLLOW SHANE RENNISON: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

You Don't Know Me is the debut single from Puerto Rico's latest up-and-coming artist, Cat Serrano. The song is about getting out of a toxic relationship with a deceptive liar. Immediately, I was rooting for Serrano to 'win the breakup' after the opening lines "A little sweet and a little sour/After midnight is my golden hour/I'll fight and scream, but I still want the flowers/Cause I have the power." After I mopped up the truth tea that was just spilled, I was impressed by the pre-chorus "Oooh, I can swim in an ocean of bliss sometimes when life is good/Oooh, but you turned me into a raging sea." Damn, Cat is officially in her nautical era. The chorus showcases Serrano's strength not only as a songwriter, but as an independent woman when she sings "Cause you don't know me/But I know when you're lying/Yeah, you don't know me/So now, I'm done with the crying." Move over, Miley. There's a new wrecking ball in the pop game. While Serrano's first single is mostly pop, there are some country and rock influences sprinkled throughout that shows how versatile the young artist is. The song's production is led by low key acoustic and electric guitar that come together with the bass-heavy drums to create a beat that makes you want to put your middle finger in the sky. However, this song would be nothing if it weren't for Serrano's beautiful soprano voice. She reminded me a lot of Olivia Rodrigo and I was brought back to the first time I heard Driver's License when Serrano was hitting those high notes on the "oooh"s of the pre-chorus. You Don't Know Me also gave me the same vibes of the classic Carrie Underwood single Before He Cheats . Though Rodrigo and Underwood both have left some big shoes to fill, I believe that Cat Serrano has done it. Cat Serrano may only be a high school student, but she's already proved that she's going to own the music game. While You Don't Know Me is her first original song, she has spent the last year uploading covers to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and has amassed thousands of views per video. Just a few weeks ago, Serrano performed the Puerto Rican National Anthem at a Los Criollos de Caguas baseball game in LoanDepot Park and she absolutely slayed. The recently released single is accompanied by a Coco Bogles-directed music video that features the artist ripping clothes out of her former lover's closet before setting his car on fire. The music video is fantastic especially for a debut single. If she continues putting out amazing songs with stunning visuals like this, Cat Serrano will be a name the entire world knows. Stream You Don't Know Me now so you DO know her before anyone else. Written by Jordan Elliott FOLLOW CAT SERRANO: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

This song, “Life to Live” by Aisha Badru, is a song all about living your life on your own terms. Coaxing you to “run off the beaten path” and “close your eyes, fantasize, focus,” Badru tells you through her lyrics that you should think about what you want out of life and not be so afraid to go after it. You should embrace self-discovery and learn about what makes you who you are without the pressure of all of society’s expectations. Everyone’s felt like this before, in some form or fashion, and everyone could use the message of this song. It’s okay to take life slowly and to make mistakes and to grow, as long as you’re living your life as authentically as you can. “Life to Live” is a soothing, indie-pop song that utilizes a soft, rhythmic melody paired with relaxing vocals to draw the listener in and share the message Aisha Badru is trying to convey. Starting off simply, with the strum of the guitar, you’re eased into the song gently, especially when Badru’s beautiful voice chimes in to start the first verse. Backing vocals provide a layer of depth to the melody, which is made more complex when the chorus hits and the pace is picked up to provide some variety and increase the excitement. The second verse tones it down again before reaching a peak in tension with the second chorus and then smoothing out to a slow finish. Overall, this song is perfect for so many different occasions and for so many different feelings. Whether you are chilling out by yourself, or whether you’re relaxing with friends, this song is such a perfect combination of soothing yet powerful. It’s one of those songs that you’ll immediately want to hit repeat on, and I know I’m already ready to hear it again! Aisha Badru is a Nigerian American singer whose earthy voice and ethereal, meaningful lyrics have garnered her hundreds of thousands of loyal fans, constantly waiting for her next song to drop. Her strengths lie in her ability to take the complicated emotions of life and distill them down into something easily tangible and vivid to her listeners. Her most recent full length work is the EP Learning to Love Again, which was released June 2 of 2023. She released her debut album, Pendulum , in 2018, and this newest song marks the start of the journey toward her second full length album, hopefully coming soon. Use the links below to listen to more of her music and to follow along in her very promising, exciting career! Written By Morgan Fischer FOLLOW Aisha Badru: Instagram | Spotify  | Facebook  | YouTube

“Becoming My Ex” is Rvkah’s latest single, a piece focused on the realization that one may never be that.  The people we surround ourselves with influence us more than we know, particularly the people we love.  While this love allows for their first breach into our lives and our personalities, a loss of it does not take the characteristics they first brought.  So, while the subtle integration of our partners and friends usually goes unnoticed, when the love leaves but the influence doesn’t, it’s a stark reality that not all of these little traits are desirable.  Rvkah walks the listener through this transformation as well as the creeping awareness of it with the same subtlety with which it begins in life. The song begins with that loving notice, “Sometimes I think it’s cute, I started taking after you”, with a growing percussion that implies an explosive change in this belief.  When this quickening beat comes to its conclusion, it’s as if the evidence has come together and Rvkah begins listing out the slight actions she’s noticed.  Her final product begins as a build up of the smallest characteristics, a signature cigarette and a signature apathy being one in the same.  Metaphors that compare these allow for the slightness of her writing to express greater messages and have an emotional impact without ever directly stating such.  Her voice, usually in an almost speaking tone, presents this as well.  It’s personal and intimate but with a casual overtone.  At the peak of her emotive confessions surrounding the relationship, her voice emits it too.  Extraordinarily talented, heartfelt and soulful.  Anything stated in such a way would be impactful but her lyricism tied into it gives the song the particular touch it so notably holds. Rvkah, the stage name for Rebecca Jean Moritz, was generationally inspired to follow a career in creativity, coming from years of actors and musicians.  She was raised in this environment of artistry in Israel, born in Florida.  It didn’t take much time for this influence to hit her hard, by twelve years old she had already released an award winning album.  Another was soon to follow, being granted with awards as well as being featured on radio stations and MTV across Europe.  She continued this path strong, attending and graduating from Berklee College of Music and creating all the while.  “Becoming My Ex” is her first release of this year, so evidently, she’s off to an incredible start.  Stream it and follow her below. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW RVKAH: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

How long does it take to get over heartbreak? That question is the beating pulse of Only The Poet's latest single, "Gone By Now." The second single teasing their forthcoming EP, One More Night , is a synth pop send-off to lingering feelings that fail to dissipate. It begins with the gentle thump of kicks and stable bassline, but quickly evolves with a dance pop drum beat and lush production. Lead vocalist, Tommy Longhurst, uses his husky and impressive voice as a centerpiece to the flashy sound. "Gone By Now" is a song haunted by the ever-present love he still has for someone he doesn't want anymore. Just because you've decided that a relationship is not going to work doesn't mean your heart will catch up faster. "I want you to leave," Longhurst sings on the second verse, repeating the last two words as they echo in his head. "I want you to say," he immediately follows with. It's a classic conflict between head and heart. "You're still living in my head, babe, / hanging around I thought you'd be gone by now." At some point, we expect ourselves to move on from something. With time and fresh experiences, heartbreak is processed into a memory we're comfortable enough to live with. "Gone By Now" is the frustration that the wound has yet to heal. "I'm better off lonely," Longhurst winces. He is both stuck in the past and locked away from it. One More Night, the upcoming EP from Only the Poets, is set to release on June 7th. Prior to "Gone By Now," the band released the title track to the project. Promoting the project, the band are currently embarking on a 30-date tour across Europe. The EP was recorded on the road, with most of the production being done by band members Marcus Yates (drums) and Clem Cherry (guitar). The band will finish their current European tour on April 11th, before heading back on the road for a UK tour in June. In December of 2023, the band released a seven-track EP, titled after the year. Their prolific streak of releases demonstrate the band's current synergy and skyrocketing acclaim. Written By Andy M. FOLLOW Only The Poets: Instagram | Spotify  | Website  | Facebook  | YouTube

*Created by yours truly through Microsoft Word* It’s incredible how art captures life so accurately. For example, one of my favorite movies growing up was 1988’s Coming to America. All the barbershop scenes where they’re discussing who the greatest boxer ever was and is still gives me hiccups from laughing too hard. Every time I watch those scenes, I immediately think about one of the reoccurring discussions and prominent questions in my household: who was the greatest singer to ever come out of Newark, New Jersey?  My overcrowded Cuban-Italian household ranged in ages and the front door was ever-revolving. So, acquaintances, cousins, family friends, neighbors, and whoever else had the energy to argue all got to weigh in on this conversation. This household discussion managed to follow me into school cafeterias and other shared, common spaces where it grew. Expanding my idea of what constitutes one’s merit in music. And that added a new aspect to this discussion: there are roles beyond singing that add meaningful value to music. There are lyricists and songwriters that craft messages so thoughtful they inspire activism. There’s audio engineers, composers, and producers that experiment with soundscapes to create something entirely new. All in all, there have been many title holders that have transformed the preexisting state of music time and time again. But some of the most vital contributors have been overlooked. Women in music have been forced to take a back seat. And in some cases, their contributions have been altogether erased. Thankfully, in the last subsequent years documentaries and in-depth articles have been released to rightfully recognize women’s involvement in the development of music as we’ve come to know it today. Informing audiences of the rich history of women within music while also showcasing the adversities and obstacles they have had to overcome. In this article, I’ve decided to discuss a handful of women that have directly influenced my life – and possibly yours whether or not you were aware of it. Wendy Carlos *Wendy Carlos. Picture: Getty Images.* Wendy Carlos is a musician, physicist, and audio engineer. But movie buffs perhaps recognize her work the easiest. Carlos composed three film scores for movies that have since become cult classics: Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and The Shining (that only features two of Carlos’ pieces despite the creation of an entire film score); and 1982’s TRON from Disney. However, synthesizer enthusiasts and lovers alike might refer to Carlos as the mother of Moog due to her help in developing the original Moog synthesizer with Robert Moog. Before crafting film scores and original bodies of work with synthesizers, Carlos utilized them to produce sound effects for commercials and re-imaginings of classical compositions. Bringing listening audiences the 1968 Switched-on Bach and the 1980 Switched-on Brandenburgs. Her usage of synthesizers inspired new genres of pop, and film score giants such as Hans Zimmer. Most significantly though, Wendy Carlos is a trans icon that has been very open about the gender dysphoria she’s experienced before and well after her transition. Out of respect for Carlos, I will not attach any of her work in this article. Instead, I will redirect readers to the Wendy Carlos website where they can read more about and buy work directly from the pioneer. Yoshino Aoki *Yoshino Aoki. Picture: vgmonline.* For fellow fans of Capcom games, Yoshino Aoki is the woman behind the game music production and compositions for some of the most beloved franchises. Aoki’s first project at Capcom was not composing music however, it was to arrange music on Mega Man X3. This eventually led to her providing vocals for Roll’s special ending theme in Mega Man Battle & Chase. It later became the character’s main theme song and was even reused in Marvel vs. Capcom. Aoki would finally get the opportunity to co-compose in Breath of Fire III. The success of the game and its accompanying soundtrack ushered our composer in becoming the lead for the subsequent game, Breath of Fire IV. Aoki joined Capcom in 1995 and was involved in the sound development of over 25 games – holding various titles throughout her time there. She departed on good terms a little over a decade later in 2007, to co-found the music production studio Unique Note. Attesting to the good nature of the departure, Aoki was invited to co-compose the score of the final installment of the Mega Man Star Force series as a freelancer. The music Aoki composed during her time at Capcom was filled with mystical whimsy accompanied by strong orchestral elements. Inspiring and convincing a generation of girls that video games can be for them, too. Paula M. Kimper *Paula M. Kimper. Picture: Paula Kimper Ensemble.* Paula M. Kimper has been a composer of dance, film, song, theatre, and opera for the last 35 years. But her compositions in opera are particularly noteworthy. Especially the opera Patience and Sarah, a prolific landmark for the LGBTQIA+ community. The opera co-created by our composer and librettist Wende Persons, was based on the novel of the same name by Isabel Miller. Patience and Sarah is believed to be the first mainstream opera centering around and showcasing a strong, lesbian couple on stage in the states. Up until this point, operas that did feature queer characters followed one of two tropes: unrequited love for a heterosexual muse or a tragic, foreshadowed demise. The opera made its 1998 world debut at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, New York; and was originally commissioned by the American Opera Projects. Since the opera’s inception, the ACT II duet has become a significant source of visibility for lesbians and queer women alike. Bringing even the most stoic opera-goers to tears. Sister Souljah *Sister Souljah in Harlem. Picture: Getty Images.* If the name Sister Souljah looks familiar to you, there’s a good chance you’re a book worm whose read some of her bestsellers like The Coldest Winter Ever and Life After Death. Before her days as an author and film producer, Sister Souljah’s activism and reflections of society came in the form of lyrical art. The multidimensional woman was a hip-hop and rap icon of the 90s. Sister Souljah was an honorary member of the musical group Public Enemy, having a feature on their singles “Move!” and “Hard Rhymin’”. But her legendary delivery of “We are at WAR! ” is on Terminator X’s “Buck Whylin’”, featured alongside Chuck D. These features all built up towards her own studio album, 360 Degrees of Power, which dissected white power structures through the lens of unapologetic radical black feminism. However, Sister Souljah’s moment in music was towards the end of militant rap’s era – where the first nail in the genre’s coffin was hammered by former President Bill Clinton when he inaccurately pegged her as an extremist for her remarks on policing after the 1992 L.A. riots. Even though this is a pop-based blog, it would be a mistake to not credit Sister Souljah for popularizing women’s – especially BIPOC women’s – modern-day politics in music. And considering how women’s private and personal rights are currently on global trial, more so now than ever listeners need the encouraging words of the former rapper to keep fighting. The efforts of the handful of women mentioned above, and countless others whose stories await to be discovered have not gone to waste. Not only have they fostered an inclusive space for all women to share their stories, they’ve also shaped women’s music to become genres of their own. The women in music have managed to capture the collective consciousness of womanhood while simultaneously revolutionizing it. But women’s innovation goes far beyond the borders of music. I highly encourage everyone to visit their local libraries where they can find documentation of the women within their communities who have been forces of change. And to hand-deliver some well overdue roses, too. Written by Giavanna Gradaille Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.