This month on Reinvent, it's all about the ladies, and who better to proclaim the power of the present-day woman than the fabulous ladies dominating the radio waves? Here are five proudly feminist musicians and their say on the true meaning of girl power.
 Lorde This 17-year old pop star isn't only making a name for herself in the music industry, she also wears the "feminist" identity loud and proud. "It's just part of being a girl," she says in an interview with Tavi Gevinson of Rookie magazine. She embraces a more natural approach to feminism, promoting the movement as something natural and not an excuse to hate boys. Lorde, as a role model to young girls and women, knows her talent and knows that her confidence as a woman and an artist is not bound by society’s double standards. Confidence does not equal bitchiness. Read more here.  Taylor Swift Taylor Swift has definitely matured into a feminist figure in the music industry, coming from her history as an artist perceived to be a promoter of girl-on-girl hate. This old image of hers can be seen in her 2008 song, You Belong With Me, where she bashes on a skirt-wearing cheerleader who has stolen her man. We forgive you, Taylor. In her 1989 era, however, Taylor is now openly identifying herself as a feminist. She says in a television appearance on Tout le monde en parle, "One thing I do believe as a feminist is that in order for us to have gender equality we have to stop making it a girl fight, and we have to stop being so interested in seeing girls trying to tear each other down. It has to be more about cheering each other on, as women." Media’s perception of Taylor as “petty” and “boy-crazy” was drastically changed as she released her song, Blank Space, which targets media’s accusations against her as a “feminist’s nightmare.” New and improved Taylor is positively voicing out her opinions on the matter, and we salute her for that. Read more here. Jessie J Now that Jessie J has made it to success, she's for helping out those who are in tougher positions. In an interview with Huffington Post, she says "Sexism does exist, which is sad. So it's important to speak up on it." She's definitely learned to embrace her individuality as an artist and recognizes her power as a woman. "I believe in making sure that I understand my responsibility of being a woman, and what I should stand for, and being confident and not standing down for any ego or suit." Her song Do It Like A Dude has become a sort of female anthem for standing for every woman's right to be her own kind of woman, whether it's true to the conventional feminine way or not. |  Beyonce In 2014, Queen Bey decided to surprise everyone with a 14-track pop self-titled album. I think it’s safe to say that songs from this record such as ***Flawless, Pretty Hurts, and Haunted, have become anthems for feminism. These songs fabulously convey messages of confidence, beauty standards, and touches on the idea that women can be sexual beings too. The word “feminist” seems to be a topic of controversy nowadays, but this universally loved pop diva managed to change the idea from “man-hating” to something that isn’t at all hostile, something that is actually quite easy to understand, and even something “sexy” or as Beyonce prefers to call, “bootylicious.” We’re thanking Beyonce and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian author (whom she featured on one of the tracks in her album), for bringing the simple definition of “feminist” to the masses. It’s not about being better than the guys, it’s really just “the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.” Read more here.  Charli XCX This UK-born pop star answers the question "How can you claim to be a feminist when you dress like that?" in an interview with Cosmopolitan with her usual laid back, carefree attitude. "I'm not a dumb idiot just because of what I wear," she says. She believes that fashion is what you make it, and any assumption that wearing something hanging above the knee was a mere instruction by someone of authority is completely wrong. She firmly believes that girls should feel free to wear and do whatever they want for themselves, not for the benefit of the opposite sex. "I just believe that girls should be able to do what the f*ck they want and shouldn't feel the need to dress conventionally and sexy in mens' eyes," she says in an interview with Noisey. Read more here.  |
- Nikki Alarilla
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