Behind every great project, there is a woman. More specifically, a Black woman.
Black women have been at the forefront of shaping the music industry since its origins. We can thank artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe for influencing rock and roll from the start, paving the way for artists such as Elvis Presley, Keith Richards and many other men we have seen take the spotlight. Iconic artists like Aretha Franklin and Mamie Smith are the resilient and driven forces that have fought for their artistic vision to be shown no matter their gender or color of their skin.
For Black History Month, Crave Music Magazine is highlighting and honoring the Black female artists of today who are and have already changed the narrative for Black women in multiple different scenes, bringing diversity to pop, rock, EDM and metal spaces.
HANNAH JADAGU
Hannah Jadagu presents her authentic self in everything she does. Her sophomore album, Describe, was released last October, where she brings the reality of being a touring musician to the forefront. Jadagu pours out every last ounce of her emotions through lyricism, something she has done since her first single “Unending” released in 2020. Her musical influences are broad, learning lots from her Zimbabwean parents. Her indie sounds come from growing up in the prime age of social media. The early era of Tumblr was a key part for the rise of artists like The 1975 and HAIM, which drove Jadagu to create more and more. She has opened for other indie acts such as Faye Webster, Wet and Frankie Cosmos. Her soft delivery mixed with that bedroom-pop sound transforms listeners to a place of serenity. She is currently on tour with Del Water Gap, bringing her ethereal vibes with her across the U.S.
MEET ME @ THE ALTAR
Meet Me @ The Altar have brought diversity and femme-power to the pop punk/rock scene since their start back in 2015. Consisting of Singer Edith Victoria and Drummer Ada Juarez, the duo recently released their EP Worried Sick in December, highlighting the band’s connection to their emotions. They use music as a coping mechanism, allowing for their fans to connect as well. Meet Me @ The Altar’s songs cover topics such as love and loss, the trials and tribulations of growing up, and anger. Their most recent tour ended at the beginning of February, playing small rooms and reconnecting with their fans after some time away from the stage. Meet Me @ The Altar are one of the leading forces in the pop-punk bands of color scene, making sure to highlight the fact that they are breaking into these spaces, and doing it with power, joy and love for every single part of it all.
ARLO PARKS
The London-born Arlo Parks got her start releasing tracks to BBC Music Introducing, a radio show which allowed for undiscovered artists to share their work. Her sound quickly captured the attention of radio presenters which led to her signing a record deal. Parks’ voice captivates any listener, drawing them in to discover more — which is the formula for an addicting artist. Her album Ambiguous Desire is set to release this year, leading with two new singles “Heaven” and “2SIDED.” Parks’ sound can be labeled as indie/alternative upfront, but as you dive deeper listeners can hear a strong sense of soul and R&B mixed in between. Her queerness is a very important part of her identity, as she uses music as a way to come to terms with herself, giving others who may be struggling with their own identity a voice especially young, Black queer individuals
BABY STORME
Baby Storme does not shy away from flaunting her alternative style both musically and fashionably. Dark-colored fits and bold makeup looks that highlight her piercing and captivating eyes match her alternative-pop sound. The New York-based artist is determined to make sure there is representation of Black women in her favorite music and to become that artist that she wishes she had to look up to growing up. Baby Storme was introduced to music through choir, teaching herself piano and immersing herself in everything music related she could. Honesty is the most important part of music for Baby Storme; if she’s not honest in her art then it’s not truly her. Her most recent song “NOT SPECIAL,” released on Jan. 16, discussed the feeling of not being everything you have built yourself up to be. In a world of self doubt and mental turmoil, we beat ourselves up trying to live up to expectations instead of living everyday as who we are. Baby Storme forces people see this within themselves inside her songs, and helps them, and herself, overcome it.
ASH TUESDAY
Ashlynn Kilcrease, better known as Ash Tuesday, is an indie-rock artist from Macon, Georgia. What stands out most in her songs is her vulnerability. Kilcrease writes with no fear, letting passion take over the page. Music has been at the forefront of her life for as long as she can remember as one would expect growing up in a house of musicians. Kilcrease began her musical journey writing songs after discovering indie-rock artist Phoebe Bridgers. Because of her, Kilcrease gained the motivation and inspiration to begin creating her own sounds. Her debut record aught! highlights her versatility with guitar and drum-driven tracks like “Scab” and “Top 10 Anime Betrayals” that you can’t help but head bang to. It also features her softer, more vulnerable tracks like “You’re Tired? I’m Tired” and “Big Freeze.”
RACHEL CHINOURIRI
The U.K.’s own Rachel Chinouriri is an artist who is unapologetically full of love; the topic’s very common in her writing, and also felt heavily with every word sung. Her debut album What A Devastating Turn of Events highlights her struggles with mental health, love, loss and insecurities. The artist has been releasing music since 2018, and has been full of passion and drive since the beginning, ready to share her art with the world. Her indie-pop sound is versatile. Chinouriri’s songs are filled with vulnerable moments of softness that her voice compliments with ease. On the other side, songs like “Can we talk about Isaac?” add a very bouncy-pop element to a track made for a crowd to be off their feet the entire time. Chinouriri’s authenticity is what leads a lot of people to become fans of her from other artists’ fanbases; she is truly a star. Chinouriri will be opening for select dates of Florence + The Machine’s Everybody Scream Tour following Wolf Alice’s homecoming show on July 5.
AYONI
Barbados-born Ayoni Thompson holds absolutely nothing back in any performance she gives. Her voice could turn any head and captivate any crowd. Her debut album ISOLA, released in 2025, covers a broad soul and R&B influence with elements of pop woven through. Her upbringing influenced her sound greatly. Thompson was born in Barbados, moving between Singapore, Jakarta, Miami and finally to her current residence of Los Angeles. She has brought her diverse sense of the world into every last bit of her music. Thompson is ever-inspired by the history of soul and the vast list of Black artists before her that have poured their heart into the story telling of pain, love and resilience. Ayoni’s music is for everyone, reaching anyone whose heart and ears are open.
MINT GREEN
Mint Green identify themselves as “the sweet spot between, emo, pop, alternative,” which is the perfect description for the band. Frontwoman Ronnica is unapologetically herself, promoting her band with full authenticity, reminding listeners that they are a female-fronted, POC and queer rock band that are here to deliver music they are eternally proud of. With Ronnica on vocals, Daniel Huang providing many hands and instruments, Rachel Moon on guitar and Danny Martinez on bass, Mint Green have been releasing music together since 2015. Their most recent album released under Pure Noise Records “All Girls Go To Heaven” is filled with massive tracks, with heartfelt vocals and mesmerizing riffs focusing on topics such as love and heartbreak, growing pains and mental struggles. Ronnica has taken to socials all February to post a clip of the band with the caption “posting my music unapologetically everyday of Black History Month.”
HEMLOCKE SPRINGS
Hemlocke Springs landed into the alternative-pop scene with her hit single “girlfriend,” which took off on TikTok in 2023 with 57.8k uses on the original sound. So many people resonated with Springs’ sound, loving the breath of freshness and authenticity that is seen and heard in her music. Hemlocke expresses herself through fashion, makeup and unconventional sounds, and has never shied away from making what her heart desires. Her debut album the apple tree under the sea is a representation of that. The full record, out Feb. 13, began with sneak peeks into the album’s world with singles “the beginning of the end,” “head shoulders, knees and ankles” and “w-w-w-w-w.” Springs has grabbed the attention of many since her debut, supporting artists such as Muna, Ashnikko, Doja Cat, Conan Gray, and most recently Chappell Roan on the Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things Tour. Hemlocke Springs is set to perform at three festivals this year so far: Treefort Music, The Governors Ball and Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
NOVA TWINS
Powerful, thrilling, electric are all words that barely graze the surface of what the Nova Twins truly entail. Their performances are known to light up entire rooms with slapping bass and grimey vocals. Lead vocalist/guitarist Amy Love and bassist and backing vocalist Georgia South have been playing together since childhood but didn’t come together to form the duo they are today until 2014. They are forever inspired by Black culture, making sure to bring a piece of it within everything they do, whether that’s through vocals, instrumentals or through fashion. Their most recent album, Parasites and Butterflies, focuses heavily on their versatility. The Nova Twins do not put themselves in a box, instead they allow themselves to be whoever they want to be:soft, aggressive and more pop leaning or more Nu Metal. The Nova Twins have stood on their principles of being outspoken and uniquely themselves, something sure to continue with further releases.
