Women Musicians That You Should Definitely Listen To (If you haven't yet) | Part 2

Lila Downs

Lila Downs is a musician and activist with an anthropological vision whose music brings awareness to women, indigenous groups and immigrant causes. Through her activism and music, she incorporates Mexican influences and indigenous languages such as Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya, Nahuatl, and Purepecha. Lila Downs is usually accompanied on her musical journey by her longtime band, La Misteriosa, and multicultural multi-instrumentalists, including Paul Cohen, her collaborator, producer and husband.

Lila Downs - La iguana

Sheila E.

17. Sheila E.

Genre: Rock/ country / jazz

Sheila E. began her professional career as a drummer and percussionist in the 1970s, but her career took an exciting turn when she met Prince backstage after a gig. The singer-songwriter revealed he had been following her career for some time, and the two quickly became friends. Their friendship eventually led to Sheila E. lending her vocals on Prince’s song “Erotic City”—a move that prompted her to launch her solo singing career. She went on to have successful hits such as “The Glamorous Life” and “Love Bizarre,” and toured the world with Prince. Since then she has performed with the who’s who in music including George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Beyonce, Usher, Hans Zimmer, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Lopez, to name a few.

Sheila E. - Drum Solo with Prince 1987

Sophia Scott

18. Sophia Scott

Genre: Pop/ folk / country

Sophia is a country/pop artist whose personality shines through her relatable lyrics and outspoken point of view. Growing up inspired by Sheryl Crow, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell, Sophia feels fortunate to have had such a high standard for songwriting from a young age.

Watch Sophia Scott’s recent music video “Sweetheart”

Esperanza Spalding

19. Esperanza Spalding

Genre: Jazz/ blues

From performing in Oregon jazz clubs to becoming the first jazz artist to win a Grammy for Best New Artist Esperanza Spalding is a musical prodigy and considered one of the best contemporary jazz musicians. She has received global recognition for her commercial success, unique style, Portuguese musical influences and philanthropic efforts. Her accolades include four Grammy Awards and an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.

Esperanza Spalding - Overjoyed

Becky G

Singer, songwriter, actress, and activist, Becky G, was born for the spotlight and her multifaceted career is shaping up to be nothing short of iconic. The 24-year-old global superstar’s achievements include two number one hits on the Billboard Latin Airplay Charts (“Mayores” & "Sin Pijama”), a starring role on "Power Rangers," and guest-starring in Fox TV’s Emmy-winning “Empire" series. She has toured alongside Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, Fifth Harmony, and Jason Derulo and has recorded collabs with Daddy Yankee, Maluma, Anitta, Natti Natasha, ZAYN, Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Pitbull, and CNCO, among others.

Becky G - Bella Ciao

Cedella Marley

21. Cedella Marley

Genre: Reggae

Frankie Cosmos

She is the CEO of Tuff Gong International, the record label founded by her father in 1965, and director of The Bob Marley Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization. Additionally, she oversees Hope Road Merchandising, LLC, a Marley family entity that manages the rights to Bob Marley’s name and likeness, and the Marley merchandising conglomerate, House of Marley.

Cedella and Skip Marley - One Love

22. Frankie Cosmos

Genre: Indie rock/ folk / pop

Greta Kline known as Frankie Cosmos is an American singer-songwriter known for her Frank O’Hara poetry-inspired songwriting. Her writing examines relationships from a different perspective other than romanticism; it portrays the beauty of the complexity in relationships and the reality of heartbreak.

Frankie Cosmos - "Outside With The Cuties"

Zoé Renié Harris (Zoe’s Shanghai)

Zoé Renié Harris is the lead vocalist and guitar player for her band Zoe’s Shanghai.

Zoe’s Shanghai is a band moving & dancing forward with a common voice they redefine over & over again, always together. The sum of its parts - Zoé (vocal & guitar), Landy (drums), Emerick (piano), Alex (bass) - fit organically together and Zoé’s Shanghai is no more, no less, than the exciting sum of its individualities, as rich as its influences and intricate origin story.

No Cure | Zoe's Shanghai

Joanna Newsom

24. Joanna Newsom

Genre: Folk/funk/jazz

Starting with her passion for music at a very young age, Joanna Caroline Newsom started playing piano and harp at seven years old. She began her professional musical career as the keyboard player for indie band, The Pleased. Newsom fused vocal-based folk-funk, country and jazz with polyrhythm and Appalachian music influences to mold her musical identity.

Joanna Newsom - Sapokanikan

Did you know? In spring 2009 she developed vocal cord nodules; since then her voice has seen a few changes.

Angelique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo is a four-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and activist with thirteen albums to her name. Originally from Benin, her sound infuses her West African traditions with elements of American R&B, funk, and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America.

She is the recipient of the prestigious 2015 Crystal Award given by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the 2016 Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award, and the 2018 German Sustainability Award. Angelique also travels the world advocating on behalf of children in her capacity as a UNICEF and OXFAM goodwill Ambassador.

Angelique Kidjo - Dignity

Rhiannon Giddens

26. Rhiannon Giddens

Genre: Country/folk/blues

Courtney Barnett

Named Artistic Director of Silkroad in 2020, Giddens is developing many new programs for the organization, including one inspired by the history of the American transcontinental railroad and the cultures and music of its builders. She recently wrote the music for an original ballet, Lucy Negro Redux, for Nashville Ballet (premiered in 2019), and the libretto and music for an original opera, Omar, based on the autobiography of the enslaved man Omar Ibn Said, for the Spoleto USA Festival (premieres in 2022).

Higher Ground (2020) | Song Around the World

Did you know? Rhiannon Giddens is featured in our mini-documentary The Story of the Banjo, watch her in this member-exclusive mini-documentary to learn about the truth in the origins of this instrument.

27. Courtney Barnett

Genre: Alternative rock/indie

Brandi Carlile

28. Brandi Carlile

Genre: Country/alternative country/pop/folk

Larkin Poe

29. Larkin Poe

Genre: Rock/soul/country

Taimane

Did you know? Playing For Change first heard about Larkin Poe through our friendship and collaboration with Robbie Robertson and his son Sebastian. They are both fans of Larkin Poe and once we checked them out, we too became fans for life.

Come On In My Kitchen | Larkin Poe

30. Taimane

Genre: Multigenre

Committed to following her passion and creating her own sound and style with the ukulele, Taimane Gardner began playing at three years old, regularly performing in public at 10 in her homestead of Hawaii.

From Bach to rock, flamenco infernos to tribal hymns, Taimane focuses her songwriting and performances on bringing feelings and visions to life. By channeling her passion into the ukulele, Taimane busts open the door to connect with audiences. She's garnered a large worldwide following with over 8 million video views and 80,000 social media followers, and the upward trajectory of her career has drawn comparisons to ascensions by several of today's most renowned instrumentalists. With many new doors now opening, Taimane stares ahead at an artistic path filled with opportunities and light.

Did you know? Taimane first met PFC in Los Angeles in August of 2017. Taimane and her band caught the beginning of a BBQ held for some PFC members who had just arrived from Africa. Taimane and her band kicked back, played a few songs, and enjoyed some eats; then rushed across town for her show.

The Moon | Taimane

31. Genevieve Chadwick

Genre: Rock/roots/alternative

PFC first met and recorded Genevieve Chadwick in Australia and the team was struck by her natural talent and contagious spirit. Likened to the great Janis Joplin and referred to as “Australia’s answer to Melissa Etheridge”, Genevieve is an extraordinary artist and energetic performer. Her gravelly voice and original style of blues and roots have given this singer/songwriter from the Australian South Coast a loyal and ever-growing following.

Did you know? Genevieve Chadwick is a fan of one of Britain's most influential voices, Van Morrison

Days Like This | Genevieve Chadwick

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