Influential Impact: Women Shaping 2012’s Music Scene
The year is 2012, most 11 year old’s are probably preoccupied with concerns about the impending doomsday, but I was too busy exploring the world wide web. I’d been gifted a second-generation iPad, the intellectual capacity to illegally download music (courtesy of my parents), and full autonomy to roam the internet endlessly without supervision. In simpler terms, life is good– great even. For as long as I can remember, I’d taken an inclination to music and it completely enthralled me. There was, and is, something so divine about getting lost in the world of sonance. “Giving, trying, self-relying, feeding, teaching, always reaching, dreaming, crying, sacrificing...” quotes the bridge of the song “Giving Something Up" sung by singer/songwriter Amel Larrieux - one of the first songs I can remember falling in love with as a young child. I’d sing at the top of my lungs, straining my delicate vocal cords alongside my mother while I pondered the meaning of her lyrics.
Let me remind you that the year is 2012. I would no longer have to succumb to the ennui of awaiting Amel Larrieux songs/videos to shuffle through VH1 Soul playlists. YouTube was on the rise, and its sublet VEVO permitted me to take in what I wanted when I wanted. I‘d spend hours roaming YouTube discovering trailblazing artists whose influence still lingers over the ever-evolving culture of music today. Santigold is one of those artists. Santigold’s ‘Disparate Youth’ of her second studio album, Master of My Make-Believe is that of another realm. It’s anarchic, yet orderly (hence the title), and intends to energize non-conforming youth. The song opens with an upbeat synthesizer, followed by an exhilarating drum beat that spans throughout the track. Categorizing Santigold's music into a single genre is a nearly impossible task due to the diverse blend of elements present in her tracks, encompassing punk, EDM, dancehall, indie rock, and more. One can imagine the recommendations I’d receive after listening to a Santigold record, but there was one consistent Artist. The brilliant yet controversial Azealia Banks.
The first time I watched Ms. Banks’s 2-1-2 music video my ears filled with euphoria and my eyes widened as if I’d witnessed a cosmic explosion. I was completely captivated by her distorted voice, quick-witted lyrics, and charismatic stature with which she opened the track. The New York native pranced around Harlem streets with 2 Pocahontas-esque braids and a striped mickey mouse shirt exuding a youthfulness that any pre-teen would be in awe of. Ironically enough, 2-1-2 pays homage to the origin city of house music (and my hometown) Chicago, as well as the Ballroom scene of New York City, which Beyonce’s entire most recent album Renaissance, is based around. To this day Azealia Banks carries on with releasing up-tempo music, complimented by her strikingly clever lyrics. Similarly to Santigold, her music contributed to my yearning to explore an array of genres and encouraged me to step foot into the territory of modern house, techno, and electronic music.
My first introduction to Solange was the hit song “T.O.N.Y.”. At the ripe age of 8, the content of the song – meeting a guy and becoming sinfully enamored with him - did not resonate with me, however now, at 21, I fully understand being pressed over a guy you’ve just met (sadly). Since first hearing “T.O.N.Y”, Solange’s honeyed yet rich voice is one that I’ve remained loyal to. In 2012 Solange completely changed the game with the release of “Losing You.” Produced by Dev Hynes, otherwise known as “Blood Orange, together the two constructed what I would consider one of the most seamless songs complete with breathtaking visuals. It comes as no shock the hit single is currently at 32 million views on YouTube, and with confidence, I can say that I account for at least 100 of them. From the bright, warm faces to the big hair, organic shapes, and muted colors, to the tranquil scenery and progressive and flirty fashion– Knowles highlights the influence, delicacy, and prestige of Black Art and Black Voices.
The year 2012 birthed a plethora of iconic songs created by revolutionary women in music. Of course; Santigold, Azealia Banks, and Solange are just a few to recognize, but the impact their sound left on me, and the industry cannot be disregarded. There is something so raw and fresh about not being able to box an artist into one singular genre. These three individuals exemplify the art of seamlessly merging different sounds, resulting in a unique and extraordinary blend that can only be described as ethereal.
Edited By Olivia Jackson
