5 Female Artists You Need on Your Ipod

Approximately once every 3-4 months, I experience a burst of feminista energy. Yes, I am bold and relatively fearless on a daily basis, but this energy transcends the typical confidence I have in myself as a woman. I march into my predominately male job with my head held a little higher and with my shoulders a bit more squared. I make awesome to-do lists and I accomplish almost everything on my list and then some. Basically, I rule in every way imaginable.

In the midst of my "I'm Every Woman" mindset, I have a go-to list of female artists I listen to for inspiration. These women are confident, charismatic, and cold-blooded when necessary. No, you make not see them plastered all over your television screen or dominating the airwaves. They unapologetically remain true to their craft and this is why I love them.

Here are five fearless female artists you need on your Ipod:

• Jhene Aiko
• Back during the B2K craze in the early 2000s, Jhene was the female background voice and pretty face closely associated with the group. Since their decline, Jhene has forged an impressive indie path of her own. 
• In 2011, she release a mixtape, Sailing Soul, an introspective, moody, and emotionally charged compilation of Aiko's inner thoughts. Her sugary voice is laced with defiance and confidence whether she is leaving an ex in the dust or seducing her new lover
• Her upcoming album, Souled Out, is due out sometime this year. Check out "2 Seconds" here *all rights reserved to creator of the video*:

•  Mya
• Mya has and will always be one of my favorite artists. EVER. A skilled tap dancer, Mya came on the music scene in 1998 with majah attitude in her first single "It's All About Me". Keeping it sexy, yet classy, Mya enjoyed a string of mainstream hits, including "Free" and "My Love is Like...Whoa".
• Since the release of  Moodring in 2003, Mya has taken charge of her career. She has enjoyed success in the Japanese music market, started her OWN record label, and is making music on her own terms. She connects and interacts with her fans closely on Twitter, often sharing inspirational passages and encouraging others to bring their dreams to fruition.
• Her most recent release, K.I.S.S., is available in the US and is amazing. Mya's signature "lady in the streets, but dominating in the sheets" is still in full effect. Also check out her mixtape "Beauty & The Streets Vol. 1
• This is one of my favorite songs off of K.I.S.S. *all rights reserved to creator of the video*:

• Elle Varner
• A newcomer to the scene, Elle Varner is a refreshing voice to hear amongst mainstream female artists. A pianist, guitarist, flutist, and KILLER vocalist, Elle released her debut single in Fall 2011, "Only Wanna Give it to You". Since then, her star power has been on the rise.
• Her debut album, Perfectly Imperfect, is slated for a 08/07/2012 release and will be featured on my blog. I think my favorite song will be "So Fly", a record about accepting yourself for who you are (after a bit of lamenting about your flaws). Hear it here *all rights reserved to owner*:

• Jill Scott
• Oh Jilly from Philly, how I love you so. You are the epitome of an amazing, intelligent, and creative woman. Every since her first single "Gettin' In the Way" in 2000, it didn't take long before we all figured out the question her debut album posed: Who is Jill Scott?
• An accomplished poet and gifted singer-songwriter, Jill Scott has experienced the heights of commercial success without compromising her musical and personal integrity. Her voice is rich and expressive, channeling R&B/soul divas from past lifetimes and injecting a raw emotion that grips your heart and refuses to let go.
• Although I love virtually anything that comes out of her mouth, my songs for this week are "Golden" and her latest single (from album The Light of the Sun) "Blessed". You can't be in a bad mood and listen to these songs! Here is "Blessed" *all rights reserved to the respective owners*

• Melanie Fiona
•  O Canada, thank you for letting us experience Melanie Fiona. Melanie is a true R&B diva who released her debut, The Bridge, in 2009. Her critically-acclaimed debut was largely fueled by the popular angst-driven single "It Kills Me" and the woman-in-charge single "Give it to Me Right" (my personal anthem). Melanie has been on fire since then!
• Her sophomore effort, The MF Life, celebrates the ups and downs of being a woman. Overall, it sounds like there are more ups than downs in her musical atmosphere.
• Here is my anthem :) *all rights reserved to the respective owners

Now that you know who my go-to girls are, I'm going to continue working on my list of goals I need to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end. Cheers to bring your dreams to fruition!


*Don't worry guys, I have something coming for you soon!*

Love Confidence,

-T. Amour