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Whether it’s keeping the household together to breaking through the glass ceiling in the workplace to pushing for progress on Capitol Hill and making an impression on the red carpet, women have made major contributions to our lives. With March marking Women’s History Month, the Boombox looked through the catalogs of some fearless females in hip-hop and R&B to pick songs celebrating women.
From the classic tunes that remind men to treat their ladies right to the dance-worthy anthems that prove girls do run the world, these are the tracks that have served as the soundtrack for superwomen everywhere. They even topped the charts at times, scoring another big win for girl power. More than a few of these songs have graced your playlist and if they haven’t, we’ve just given you a female empowerment pack.
While the music industry, like many others, is dominated by men, these women demonstrate they have the power to change the world through their powerful words and voices. Check out 20 Songs to Celebrate the Superwoman in You.
1
'Freedom'
Queen Latifah, Yo Yo, Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, MC Lyte, Nefertiti, Salt-N-Pepa, Patra, Meshell Ndegeocello
Recorded after the American Music Awards in 1995, 'Freedom' was a collaboration among many of the 90s big African-American female singers and rappers. Originally off Joi's 1994 album, 'The Pendulum Vibe,' 'Freedom' was an ode to the many of the iconic females throughout history including Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Shirley Chisholm, and Angela Davis. Looking back on their women, the artists who participated in the track show that the fighting spirit lives on into the present.
2
'A Woman's Worth'
Alicia Keys
Released in 2002, as a follow up to her hit, 'Fallin,' Alicia Keys explains what men should do in order to treat their ladies right in 'A Woman's Worth.' The mid-tempo ballad reflects on the things she would love her man to do for her. Because he treats her right, she'll be sure to take care of him. It's all about compromise on this track, and we love Alicia for a nice blueprint to share with any man who's out of touch.
3
'Doo Wop (That Thing)'
Lauryn Hill
While many of these songs are meant to hype up the ladies, Lauryn Hill's 'Doo Wop (That Thing)' is a bit more cautionary. She warns all women about those guys who care more about their player status, luxuries and the superficial things in life in the 1998 critically acclaimed song. With her effortless flow, she tells females that they can hold their ground and not let a trifling man get in the way of their success.
4
'Respect'
Aretha Franklin
The moment Aretha Franklin steps onto the stage we all pay attention. And in her 1967 version of the Otis Redding track, 'Respect,' she gave women the words and the courage to demand the right treatment. As soulful as the song is, the message is simple yet quite powerful. If a man wants some loving from his lady, all he has to do is show her some good old fashion respect.
5
'I'm Every Woman'
Chaka Khan
While some know the Whitney Houston version, Chaka Khan's 'I'm Every Woman' is the anthem that not only speaks to just about every female out there but also is one that just puts us in a good mood. The 1978 track was definitely a hit at the discos and didn't only appeal to the ladies in clubs but the men as well. Just as naturally as Chaka does it, the song speaks to how every woman has grace and a fire that makes us capable of anything.
6
'Q.U.E.E.N.'
Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu
When Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu combined forces on 'Q.U.E.E.N.,' we knew it would be an instant hit. Released in 2013, the song might spell out the title of a female leader but actually means something more than just female empowerment. While it does encourage women to stand up for themselves and not be afraid to be who they are, the title actually spells out "Queer, Untouchables, Emigrants, Excommunicated, and Negroid" -- proving that Janelle and Erykah were a wider audience with their positive message.
When Eve first stepped foot onto the scene, she was known as the first lady of the Ruff Ryders. However when she decided to go off on her own, Eve proved that she didn't necessarily need too much help to kickstart her solo carrier. And that's thanks to tracks like 2001's 'Who's That Girl,' off her sophomore effort, 'Scorpion.' She's confident on the mic with a strong flow and lyrical command. With this song, she inspired women to not worry about what the haters think and just keep doing our thing.
8
'No More Drama'
Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige has been one of those voices that we not only admire but also should really listen to her. Her 2001 song, 'No More Drama,' was an emotional on touching on the struggles that people go through -- whether they're the average Joe or the biggest of celebrities. However the video touched on a topic that is still a bit of a taboo today -- domestic violence. The video depicts a woman gathering the courage to leave her significant other and live a safer life. If that doesn't inspire you, we don't know what else will.
9
'Fly'
Nicki Minaj feat. Rihanna
Put two strong females into a studio and what do you get? If it's Nicki Minaj and Rihanna, then that is the song, 'Fly.' Off Nicki's 2010 LP, 'Pink Friday,' she raps about overcoming adversity. Whether it be tough obstacles to dealing with the ones who try to bring you down, which in Nicki's case, has been the skeptics, you're able to rise above that and fly. While she's called this a "female empowerment song" in the past, Nicki also says that it can apply to both guys and gals.
While Kelis says that the song can mean whatever we want it to mean," 'Milkshake' was the track that everyone heard and no one could get out of their heads. Not only did it have a catchy beat, but it was also a song that meant more than getting down in the club. The 2003 hit celebrated female sexuality in a big way because it gave us the license to admit that we can be sultry and own that sex appeal without the insecurity of being ridiculed for it. Women like to be sexy, too, and there's nothing wrong with that.
11
'None of Your Business'
Salt-n-Pepa
Before TLC hit the scene with their outspoken tracks, Salt-n-Pepa were one of the first girl groups to really speak their minds. And their track, 'None of Your Business,' hits all the right marks. Telling the world that they should mind their own and stopping judging others was liberating to hear, especially because they touched on the fact that women should be able to make the same sexual choices that men do. While there are a number of songs on this list that touch upon the topic, this track was one of the first ones that pushed boundary.
12
'Independent Women Part 1'
Destiny's Child
If there was anything bigger than finding out that the 70s hit show, 'Charlie's Angels,' would be remade, it was the fact that Destiny's Child would provide the theme song for the film. And their song, 'Independent Woman Pt.1,' was right on point. Right after hitting play on this track, just about every lady feels like she is a super hero and can conquer the world.
13
'Run the World (Girls)'
Beyonce
Beyonce proves that her "girl power" attitude extends beyond the Destiny's Child era. Her 2011 single, 'Run the World (Girls)' did not only produce some memorable live performances but also really called out all the ways women really have changed and helped the world progress into the future. She may be a proud wife and mother, but that doesn't mean she, other women, can't be a strong, independent woman either.
14
'You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo'
Yo-Yo feat. Ice Cube
Yo-Yo broke into the rap game in the early 90s as Ice Cube's protege. However, she didn't stay in his shadow too long as her 1991 debut album, 'Make Way for the Motherlode,' was a winner among critics. And her track, 'You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo,' was definitely one of those razor sharp track that shows how unafraid she is to speak her mind but also make men shake in their boots.
Like some of the tracks on this list, Santigold's 'Girls' was inspired by the females of a particular generation, which in this case is today. Part of the HBO series of the same name, the bouncy track seems to fit perfectly with the New York City swag that Santigold as well as the females in the video carry as well. Like the hook-filled beat and spunky lyrics, this song will instantly get you ready for that girls' night out or just hype you up when you're feeling less than stellar.
In 2001, India Aire put out a simple acoustic soul tune called 'Video.' And while it was an easy one to groove to, the message in the lyrics was more powerful than one could imagine. Writing straight from the heart, India inspired females young and old to love and accept the features they were born with. And even if we aren't the supermodel in the magazines, we are always queens.
From the moment they dropped 1992's 'Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip,' TLC have set the precedent that they are strong females who speak their minds. With hits like 'Unpretty,' 'No Scrubs' and 'Red Light Special,' they tackled everything from body insecurities to female sexuality. On 2002's 'Girl Talk,' the group warns men to treat their ladies right otherwise everyone will know about it. Although the there are other tracks that speak to the idea of female empowerment, this one shows how women can be there for one another and got each other's backs.
Being the youngest in one of the most iconic musical families in history must have been tough for Janet Jackson. Between living up to what her brothers did and being the baby of an already famous family, she had a lot of people watching her. And in 1986 her third album, 'Control,' spoke out on how much she wanted everyone to let her be free to do as she pleased. The title track of the album pays homage to that idea and telling everyone, especially her family, that she should be able to live her own life. And we should be do so, too.
Known for her uncensored views and no-holds-barred songs, M.I.A. takes female empowerment on with her 2012 tune, 'Bad Girls.' Despite the reckless nature of the hook, M.I.A. crafts a song that shows that women can do anything a guy can -- only better. And if you're not getting it in the track, then you'll see it in the video. Featuring women covered head-to-toe drifting through the dessert in throwback car, she drew people's attentions to the fact that Saudi Arabia didn't allow women driver's licenses. And although the visual did offend some, it also inspired others to get the law abolished.
20
'Ladies First'
Queen Latifah feat. Monie Love
The 90s has been known as the golden age of hip-hop. While the music was great, there were few women who made their marks in the genre during the beginning of that decade. However Queen Latifah and Monie Love made their marks by putting out the 1990 hit, 'Ladies First.' Showing the resilience that women have had throughout the years, the track proves that no matter what women experience (even childbirth) they get through it.
