From the rise of sheet music, to modern-day streaming on Spotify, women have impacted the music scene since the very beginning. Although music is still widely considered a male-dominated industry, women have made impressive and revolutionary strides that often go unnoticed. In honor of Women’s History Month, and in no particular order, here are 10 underrated yet influential women in music.
1. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Dubbed “the original soul sister” and “the grandmother of rock-and-roll,” Sister Rosetta Tharpe is not a common household name, despite her influence in the 30s and 40s music scene. Her experimental sound inspired many male artists, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. Fusing Delta blues, New Orleans jazz, and gospel music, Tharpe proved to be a trailblazer not only for those genres, but for women musicians. Much of what we know about gospel and rock today can be accredited to this queer Black woman.
2. Sylvia Robinson
Known mononymously as Sylvia, Sylvia Robinson was a music producer who helped make rap history. She produced Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” the first commercially successful rap record by the group assembled by her and her husband. Her label, Sugar Hill Records, served as a musical force in the 80s, and she continued to produce other historic songs, such as “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. Known as “the mother of hip-hop,” Sylvia kicked off the rise of hip-hop into the mainstream view.
3. Nita Strauss
With the Austrian composer Johann Strauss as one of her ancestors, it’s no surprise that Nita Strauss has music coursing through her veins. But don’t let that take away from her own personal talent and work-ethic. Strauss is one of the world’s top guitarists, and even tours with Alice Cooper. In the male-dominated field of rock music, she is one of the most powerful figures in the industry. And if she wasn’t already cool enough, she’s the first female signature artist to use Ibanez guitars, paving the way for future women of rock.
4. Lea Salonga
Broadway icon Lea Salonga is perhaps one of the most undercover household vocalists. Singing for the titular character in Disney’s Mulan, and voicing Jasmine in Aladdin, Salonga’s vocal influence stretches farther than just the TV screen. She made history as the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award for her portrayal of “Kim” in Miss Saigon. Moreover, she is the first Asian woman to play both Éponine and Fantine in Les Misérables on Broadway. After over forty-five years in the music industry, Salonga continues to break the mold of performers.
5. Carol Kaye
Carol Kaye is one of the most prolific recorded bassists in rock and pop music, despite not being commonly known. Spanning over her career of sixty-five years, over ten thousand records feature her. Even Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys called her the “greatest damn bass player in the world.” She’s credited with pioneering a melodic method to the electric bass, pushing the boundaries of playing the simple root notes, and showing that skill is never defined by gender.
6. Cindy Blackman
A female drummer known for her virtuosity and ability to break barriers, Cindy Blackman has contributed to both rock and jazz music. She helped shape the sound of modern drumming, and has collaborated with notable names in music, such as Pharoah Sanders, Cassandra Wilson, Bill Laswell, Lenny Kravitz, Joe Henderson, and Carlos Santana. With her talent, Blackman has redefined the jazz and rock genres.
7. Suzi Quatro
The first female bass player to become a major rock star, Suzi Quatro inspired a generation of female rock artists. Joan Jett, Chrissie Hynde, and Debbie Harry, as stated in the documentary Suzi Q, cited Quatro as their role model. In addition to becoming a rock phenom, she is also the first woman to lead her own internationally known rock band, The Pleasure Seekers, as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. Quatro proves women don’t have to confine themselves to one talent; they can do it all.
8. Moe Tucker
Moe Tucker, the drummer for The Velvet Underground, is another female percussionist who has undoubtedly influenced music. Her minimalist and unconventional style of drumming impacted both punk and indie rock, becoming a figure of inspiration for other female percussionists. As the first female drummer to be in a revolutionary rock band, Tucker solidified herself as a staple in music.
9. Audra McDonald
Broadway legend Audra McDonald is the winner of the most Tony Awards, with six in total, being the only performer to have won in all four acting categories. A founding member of Black Theatre United, McDonald has overcome a number of racial barriers. Most notably, McDonald is known as the first Black woman to play Rose in the revival of Gypsy. Her numerous awards and social impact make her a force to be reckoned with not just musical theatre, but the music scene as a whole.
10. MC Sha-Rock
MC Sha-Rock, whose real name is Sharon Green, is a pioneering woman of hip-hop, standing as the first female MC in the genre. Known as the “Mother of the Mic” and the “First Lady of Hip-Hop,” Sha-Rock influenced the echo chamber of sound in popular hip-hop. Because of this, she’s a pivotal representation of women in the hip-hop scene, and has subsequently inspired a number of artists to pursue their own musical passions.
Next time you listen to rock, jazz, Broadway, hip-hop, or any genre of music, think of the influential women in music who helped make music what it is today.
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