Why Black Women in Music Deserve More Love
Why Black Women in Music Deserve More Love
Marley Davis-Hewitt / Station Director / USD Radio
History shows that music genres such as Blues, Country, House, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, and Techno music all would not exist without Black people. However, a lot of individuals’ favorite songs then and now would not exist without Black women specifically.
Black women are perhaps the most overlooked group of music influencers and trailblazers despite their over pour of influence in pop culture, fashion, and music.
Mamie Smith an African American woman from Ohio was the first person to record a Blues record in 1920. In the early 20th century, Elizabeth Cotten wrote the first popularized folk song, “Freight Train.” Lady Bo a.k.a Peggy Jones wrote most of Rock and Roll, and Blues artist Bo Diddley’s early hits.
Though this information was not released to the public until years later, it is a good example of the erasure of Black women and their contributions to the music industry.
The billboard hit song “7 Rings,” by Pop star, Ariana Grande, had major controversy after its release. There were rumors that she took inspiration from rapper Soulja Boy for her flow, or that she took the entire concept from the female rapper, Princess Nokia. Whether or not those rumors are true, the song was in fact co-written by three Black women by the names of: Tayla Parx, Victoria Monet, and Kaydence. Parx and Monet also appear on the credits for Grande’s “Needy,” “NASA,” “Make Up,” and the title track for Grande’s “Thank you, Next” album. Other Black women credited on “Thank U, Next” include Kandi Burruss on “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” Priscilla Renea on “Imagine” and “Fake Smile,” and writing duo Denisia “Blu June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi” Coney on “In My Head.” This is just one album out of the entire industry that was almost completely written by Black women.
It is important to remember that there is a plethora of non-performing Black women behind a lot of individuals’ favorite hit records. Beyond Ariana Grande, several non-Black artists go to Black female songwriters to get them to the charts. Katy Perry’s “Firework” was written by Esther Dean, Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” and Halsey’s “Now or Never” were both written by African American singer, songwriter, Brittany Talia Hazzard. Finally, alumni of Berkeley College of Music, KIRBY, was the brilliant songwriter behind “FourFiveSeconds” sung by Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney. These women only scratch the surface of what Black women have done for the music industry, and for people’s playlists.
Far too often music critics are quick to congratulate and celebrate a body of work without crediting all agents responsible for its success. It should also not go unnoticed that when it is time to congratulate a Black woman on her success there are almost always voices trying to make an effort to discredit said work. Moving forward the music industry must do a better job at giving Black women their congrats before it becomes a historical fun fact.
Below are some songs written or co-written by Black female artists for your enjoyment:
- “Show Stopper” -Danity Kane
- “Electricity” -Silk City and Dua Lipa
- “There You Go” -Pink
- “Shape of You” -Ed Sheeran
- “Come & Get It” -Selena Gomez
- “Invincible” Machine Gun Kelly
- “Lemonade” -Don Toliver
- “High Hopes” -Panic at The Disco
- “Love Lies” -Khalid and Normani
- “Let Me Love You” -Ariana Grande
- “Pick Up The Phone” -Travis Scott and Young Thug
- “Havana” -Camila Cabello
- “Stay” -Henry Krinkle
- “Ice Cream” -Blackpink and Selena Gomez
- Safaera -Bad Bunny
- “Potato Salad- Tyler, The Creator
- “Let Me Explain” -Bryson Tiller
- “On My Mind”-Diplo