The inspiration for this post comes from the fact that OP is absolutely tiredT of seeing hoteps and predators getting passes and succeeding (also it's Black History Month). And with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony tends to really into the white rock star archetype that has dominated the genre and often ignore the vast contributions made by black women to the history of music. OP wanted to highlight some not so well known black female musicians (so don’t @ me with Alabama Shakes) in rock. Since there can be an unfortunate tendency one to immediately associate black musicians with rap/hip-hop and R&B, a notion which was briefly dispelled in the mid to late 80s with the major label signing of black male rock bands like Living Color, Fishbone, and King’s X and so the women who wanted to rock out has been doing so but unfortunately they don’t get as much of the spotlight. OP decided to highlight some black female musicians not in these genres spanning rock, metal and bluegrass (yes honey, our people invented the hoedown) and some of their work.
Vagabon (alternative rock/indie)
The stage name of Laetitia Tamko is a Cameroon born musician based in NYC. She taught herself to play guitar with a guitar her parents got her from Costco. Her first LP, Infinite Worlds was released in 2017 to critical acclaim. She's amazing live.
Rhiannon Giddens (bluegrass, country blues)
She is the founder vocalist and banjo player of Carolina Chocolate Drops but she has also released her own solo work. Here is a clip from her 2017 album “Freedom Highway”.
Leyla McCalla (folk, country blues)
She’s a Grammy award winning cellist who was a part of the Carolina Chocolate Drops – she has since embarked on a solo career. Here is the video to her newest single “Money is King”.
Alexis Brown of Straight Line Stitch (death metal)
She originally wanted to be an R&B single but felt she couldn’t write for the genre so she did a 180. This song is quite old, but OP loves the imagery of her in her red and blonde locks serving death metal vocals.
Militia Vox (alternative metal)
She used to be a Fuse VJ and the classically trained pianist used to front the all female metal band Judas Priestess. She has shared the stage with Cyndi Lauper, Twisted Sister, Nancy Sinatra and many other artists in diverse genres.
Tamar-kali (alternative rock)
She has collaborated with director Dee Rees three times, the most recent for creating the score for Mudbound. Some of her biggest influences are PJ Harvey and Grace Jones and has cemented herself as an NYC underground rock icon (so basically she’s the fucking coolest).
Mélissa Laveaux (pop folk/ indie rock)
She moved from Haiti to Paris and Canada in a short span of time. Her songs often touch on being a black woman and the exploration of history and self.
Sources 12345678
ONTD, please share other black rock/punk/metal/bluegrass musicians that you know!
Vagabon (alternative rock/indie)
The stage name of Laetitia Tamko is a Cameroon born musician based in NYC. She taught herself to play guitar with a guitar her parents got her from Costco. Her first LP, Infinite Worlds was released in 2017 to critical acclaim. She's amazing live.
Rhiannon Giddens (bluegrass, country blues)
She is the founder vocalist and banjo player of Carolina Chocolate Drops but she has also released her own solo work. Here is a clip from her 2017 album “Freedom Highway”.
Leyla McCalla (folk, country blues)
She’s a Grammy award winning cellist who was a part of the Carolina Chocolate Drops – she has since embarked on a solo career. Here is the video to her newest single “Money is King”.
Alexis Brown of Straight Line Stitch (death metal)
She originally wanted to be an R&B single but felt she couldn’t write for the genre so she did a 180. This song is quite old, but OP loves the imagery of her in her red and blonde locks serving death metal vocals.
Militia Vox (alternative metal)
She used to be a Fuse VJ and the classically trained pianist used to front the all female metal band Judas Priestess. She has shared the stage with Cyndi Lauper, Twisted Sister, Nancy Sinatra and many other artists in diverse genres.
Tamar-kali (alternative rock)
She has collaborated with director Dee Rees three times, the most recent for creating the score for Mudbound. Some of her biggest influences are PJ Harvey and Grace Jones and has cemented herself as an NYC underground rock icon (so basically she’s the fucking coolest).
Mélissa Laveaux (pop folk/ indie rock)
She moved from Haiti to Paris and Canada in a short span of time. Her songs often touch on being a black woman and the exploration of history and self.
Sources 12345678
ONTD, please share other black rock/punk/metal/bluegrass musicians that you know!