15 Must-See Female Artists Performing at This Year's SXSW
Put these ladies on your radar.
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SXSW 2016: Music - In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of SXSW, this year the annual film, media and music festival is making history by way of having both the sitting president and first lady give keynote speeches for the first time since the event began three decades ago. Michelle Obama is slated to speak on behalf of her Let Girls Learn initiative, focusing on raising awareness and support for girls’ education around the globe.The conference features panelists that speak on a wide variety of assorted topics that present some of the most transformative ideas, helping to shape our culture and future. As the festival falls during Women’s History Month, it is only fitting that countless women will be joining the first lady as featured speakers to share and celebrate innovative ideas and unique perspectives with the best of ‘em. In addition to a week's worth o...
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Erykah Badu - While Erykah Badu is a woman that requires zero introduction, the soul goddess will be performing this year in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Vans. After a brief hiatus, the end of 2015 saw the highly-anticipated return of Badu with her mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone. Details here.(Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for i.am angel foundation)
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Kehlani - The past year has seen an incredible amount of growth for this R&B singer-songwriter, from becoming one of SXSW 2015’s most talked about artists to signing to Atlantic Records to receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Her music continues to propel her forward. Kehlani is often a centerpiece of conversations about the revival the genre of R&B desperately needs, with her sound encompassing both a timelessly classic and forward-thinking approach. Details here. (Photo: Jerod Harris/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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Kat Dahlia - The 25-year-old Miami-born rapper and singer released her debut single “Gangsta” in 2013, helping put her on the map. Kat Dahlia released her debut studio album in January 2015 via Epic Records and has been paving her own way to the top ever since. She began rapping as a child at eight years old, moved to New York City “on a whim” at 18 to pursue music and cites Bob Marley as one of her greatest influences to date. Details here. (Photo: SCOTT WEINER/Retna Ltd./Corbis)
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Charli XCX - Charli XCX teamed up with producer SOPHIE on her new EP, Vroom Vroom, and it’s safe to say that the partnership has been mutually beneficial, and has been some of the best music we’ve seen from her to date. Charli XCX is an English singer and songwriter who has accomplished much in her 23 years, including being featured on Iggy Azalea’s hit record “Fancy,” supporting the likes of Ellie Goulding and Katy Perry on tour and directing a documentary on gender equality titled The F Word and Me. Details here.(Photo: Samir Hussein/Getty Images for Red Bull)Charli XCX teamed up with producer SOPHIE on her new EP, Vroom Vroom, and it’s safe to say that the partnership has been mutually beneficial, and has been some of the best music we’ve seen from her to date. Charli XCX is an English singer and songwriter who has accomplished much in her 23 years...
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Kari Faux - Kari Faux is a rapper hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas, who has been making a name for herself since dropping her mixtape Fact or Faux in 2012. Since then, she’s been focused on improving her craft, drawing comparisons to hip hop heavyweights such as Missy Elliott and Andre 3000, while considering her own music to be “for tomboys.” Details here.(Photo: Kari Faux via Instagram)
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Nitty Scott MC - Nitty Scott MC has come a long way since performing at the BET Awards in 2011. Not too long after, the Orlando-born, Brooklyn-based emcee released her first EP, The Boombox Diaries, Vol. 1, which featured guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Action Bronson and The Kid Daytona. Her debut full length, The Art of Chill, was set free in 2014, receiving positive reviews across the web. Fueled by conscious lyrics and diverse production choices, Scott is just getting started. Details here.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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Lil Debbie - Lil Debbie’s career is an interesting one to follow. Linking with fellow Bay Area rapper Kreayshawn, Lil Debbie originally was interested in being a stylist first and foremost, but this changed when Riff Raff got in touch regarding a collaboration. That marked a new chapter for Lil Debbie, and since then, she has gone on to release five EPs and just wrapped up a European tour. Details here.(Photo: Taylor Hill/Getty Images)Lil DebbieLil Debbie’s career is an interesting one to follow. Linking with fellow Bay Area rapper Kreayshawn, Lil Debbie originally was interested in being a stylist first and foremost, but this changed when Riff Raff got in touch regarding a collaboration. That marked a new chapter for Lil Debbie, and since then, she has gone on to release five EPs and just wrapped up an European tour. Details here.http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS36140
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Vashtie - Given the different hats Vashtie wears, she has got to be one of the busiest women in the music, fashion and entertainment industry today. Music video director, artist, designer, DJ, creative consultant and so on, Vashtie most recently has been highlighted for her take on Drake’s infamous “Hotline Bling” video, as well as being the first woman to ever design her own Air Jordan. Details here.(Photo: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images for REVOLVE)
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Lyric Michelle - Hailing from Houston by way of Chicago, Lyric Michelle got her start in music from writing poetry as a young child, and the poetic nature of her lyrics has not waned with age as she transitioned naturally into music in recent years. Her latest full length, Miss Direction, saw a release this January and further proves Lyric is an artist to keep an eye on. Details here.(Photo: Lyric Michelle via Instagram)LyricHailing from Houston by way of Chicago, Lyric Michelle got her start in music from writing poetry as a young child, and the poetic nature of her lyrics has not waned with age as she transitioned naturally into music in recent years. Her latest full length Miss Direction saw a release this January, and further proves Lyric is an artist to keep an eye on. Details here.http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS36383
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AlunaGeorge - There’s a chance you’ll recognize this singer’s voice when you hear it, as her remix of DJ Snake’s “You Know You Like It” is considered to be one of the most streamed songs of all time. AlunaGeorge is comprised of frontwoman Aluna Francis and producer George Reid, and the two, hailing from London, have worked to experimentally glide between R&B, UK garage, pop and other electronic-based genres. Their sound as a result is enchanting and refreshing, and luckily for us, they’ll be performing in full force at SXSW. Details here.(Photo: Mauricio Santana/Getty Images)
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Chynna Rogers - Chynna has been exploring her creative side by not limiting herself to just one arena and has been in the studio as a rapper, polishing her skills as a DJ and working as a model, formerly signed by Ford Models and appearing in DKNY’s Spring 2015 ad campaign. The 21-year-old is an affiliate of A$AP Mob, making tracks alongside A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ty Beats. Her latest project, I’m Not Here. This Isn’t Happening, is a wonderful introduction to what she’s all about for fans of expressive and experimental hip hop. Details here.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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Little Simz - Returning to SXSW again this year, North London-born rapper and musician Little Simz is an impeccable 21-year-old talent, whose music has garnered the support from Schoolboy Q, J. Cole, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and more. Releasing four installments of mini-EPs through a series titled AGE 101: DROP, Little Simz adopted the name to form her own label, Age 101 Music. She was nominated for a BET Award for Best International Act: UK and, in short, continues to impress us all as she advances her career and grows as an artist. Details here.(Photo: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Red Bull)
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Estelle - Estelle has an impressive slew of awards and accomplishments under her belt, including taking home a Grammy in 2009 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for her track “American Boy,” featuring Kanye West and produced by will.i.am. Estelle is known for being an eclectic musician, incorporating dashes of R&B, soul, grime, hip hop, pop and soul into her music. In recent years, she has launched her own independent record label and branched out into acting, including an appearance on an episode of the the hit TV series Empire. Her fourth studio album, True Romance, was released this past year. Details have yet to be announced but will be found here.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for Screen Actors Guild Foundation)
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Dawn Richard - Dawn Richard, now stylized as D∆WN, has come a long way since her Danity Kane days. Dawn went on to relaunch her career as a solo artist, with her sophomore album Blackheart hitting the No. 2 slot on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Charts. With her forthcoming studio album, Redemptionheart, Dawn is making it clear what she is after. Details here.(Photo: Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)