The 100 most important women in pop – ranks 97 to 95

Music knows no gender: the struck string, the kicked foot drum or the loop in the audio software – everything is completely gender-neutral. Nice thought, right?

But beyond the tone and beat, the charged theme certainly plays a role. Music, once it has left the instruments, is always context. Music depicts realities and also influences them.

There is no need to tell anyone today that pop and society have become more diverse over the decades. But anyone who likes to scratch their beard with all the movement and prefers to turn around again is a tradition-conscious pop culture canon. Countless lists are still topped by Dylan and the Beatles – Radiohead are still seen as young challengers here. This view may also have an appeal for some, but when it comes down to the argument that there are so few influential female musicians, then the lights dim.

We dedicate ourselves in the current MUSIKEXRESS hence all the influential women in the music business. As obvious as all of this may be, the impulses that female acts have given us in addition to their hits are still valuable. Keep it up, we’ve only just begun.

Here’s a second teaser of the list of the 100 most important women in pop – places 97 to 95

97th place: Robyn

Robin Miriam was 15 when she realized on her first album: ROBYN IN HERE. She lands hits in Sweden, goes the industrial route – says in two strategically important places along the way: without me. At 25, she decided to become independent. Robyn’s sound is pop, her attitude is independent.

Without her: not a perfect example of self-determination in pop.

(André Bosse)

96th place: Marusha

Being a DJ was the ultimate fetish for guys in the nineties. Everyone wanted to exhibit skills and expertise here. Women who made records, on the other hand, were all too often judged solely on their looks and figure. The Berliner Marusha defied the lookism of that time and became a role model at the lectern that was respected not only in the techno scene.

Without her: When you think of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” you would only think of Judy Garland and not also of Eurodisco.

(Linus Volkmann)

95th place: Poly Styrene

Runaway at 15, saw the Sex Pistols at 19, then founded her band X-Ray Spex, whose “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” is a timeless feminist call to arms, a musical prototype of the entire movement. File under icon, her early death a huge loss.

Without her: there wouldn’t have been the most disturbing punk song intro ever.

(Ingo Scheel)

+++ Our current issue has been in stores since February 9th. There is a complete list of the 100 most important women in pop. Here we often share excerpts from the rankings. +++