Female Pop Stars Defining the Next Decade

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A genre defined by its obsessive fandoms, chronic collaborations, and overt sex appeal, the pop music formula is tried and true. But beyond the categories key players, the conventional made-for-radio format is being traded in by a new generation of artists whose experimental styles cross cultural boundaries and attract global audiences. From Yendry’s r&b-infused tracks to Caroline Polachek’s otherworldly approach to pop, scroll through to see CR’s favorite emerging female artists.

Yendry

With a style that transcends traditional notions of pop, Yendry Fiorentino’s music is informed by her Latin heritage and Italian upbringing. The artist’s primarily Spanish repertoire, injected with elements of traditional latin music, electronic music, and ‘90s pop, bears emotional narratives that eclipse cultures. First a contestant on X Factor Italia, Yendry left her contract from the television series to front Materianera, a project created in tandem with musicians Davide “Enphy” Cuccu and Alain Diamond.

Now, the pop star has shifted her focus to individual endeavors. Yendry was catapulted into the spotlight as a solo artist last year with her single “Barrio,” and has since harnessed a similar, compelling use of storytelling to broaden her musical lineup. Her recently released song “Nena,” is a ballad about “a mother sending her daughter a blessing from afar.” Yendry’s powerful messaging proves that the once-rigid, and often mindless, genre is seeing a shift.

Lous and the Yakuza

Referred to on Instagram as Lousita Cash, Congolese-Belgian pop artist Marie-Pierra Kakoma is the face of Lous and the Yakuza. The star, backed by a crew of notable collaborators including Ponko, Mems, tha Supreme, and Mara Sattei, has brought a global perspective to the world of pop. Her ever-evolving sound, influenced by a childhood which saw the artist exposed to several cultures, is characterized by an intermingling of French, English, and Kinyarwanda, an official language of Rwanda.

Like Yendry, Kakoma is celebrated for her ability to merge several diverse styles into a single song. Under the moniker Lous and the Yakuza, the artist made her debut with the single “Dilemme” in 2019. The track is also part of the pop star’s debut album, Gore, a collection which emphasizes Kakoma’s style—one characterized by songs that are simultaneously similar and disparate, but all-the-while enthralling.

Caroline Polachek

A seasoned indie-turned-pop artist, Manhattan native Caroline Polachek’s relationship with music stems far beyond her solo career. Beginning with her role as co-founder and lead vocalist of the band Chairlift, the artist has numerous credits under her belt including her former band’s hit song “Bruises” and a co-writing title for Beyoncé’s 2013 tune “No Angel.” Polachek’s independence was marked by the self-produced album Arcadia in 2013, which she released under the anonym Ramona Lisa.

Since her solo debut, the musician, singer-songwriter, and producer has championed a distinct, genre-bending style which incorporates the theatricality of traditional pop whilst flaunting almost inhuman vocal elements. The release of her most recent album, Pang, embodies the artist’s futuristic approach to pop through auto-tuned runs and the accompaniment of ethereal visuals.

Shygirl

Upon the release of her newest EP ALIAS, South Londoner Blane Muise who goes by the stage name Shygirl has been making waves in the music industry with her unique sound that combines a range of genres like club, rap, and hip-hop resulting in a synth-pop cocktail that makes you reminisce on sticky club floors and dancing too close. ALIAS introduces us to her four alias’ (all with their own personality) that make up who Shygirl is: Baddie, Bae, Bovine, and Bonk in a self-indulgent album that revolves around Shygirl.

The album goes hand-in-hand with Shygirl’s mesmerizing internet-era graphics featuring virtual fashion styling by Mugler. Thanks to the collaboration with 3D artist Sy Blake and CGI artist Maurice Andresen where Shygirl is reimagined as the Bratz diva in her music video “Slime.” It’s no secret that her connection to fashion comes from her early modeling career which she dropped in 2018 to peruse music full time. Now her soundtracks are featured on runways for Savage X Fenty and Mugler.

Rina Sawayama

London raised British Japanese pop star Rina Sawayama self-titled debut album SAWAYAMA is celebrated for its futuristic r&b that fuses goth rock and video game soundtracks. Rina Sawayama’s style is defined as a blend of the 1990s, early 2000’s and J-pop. This pop star is not afraid of honest lyricism addressing casual racism in “STFU,” giving us a hint of the racism and fetishization from label executives. It’s a bold and sweet pop track that echos uneasy topics. Other integral themes include intergenerational trauma, cultural alienation, and women empowerment in a catchy beat.

Sawayama background is as unique as her tunes, born in Niigata, Japan she attended a Japanese school balancing Japanese and dance. In her adulthood, she balanced modeling with her studies as a political science major at Cambridge University. Music former member of an underground London hip-hop group. It’s her complicated relationship with Japan and alienation from the United Kingdom that reminds her of her proximity and distance to Japan. Pop stardom is the expression of Sawayama’s truth.

Ivorian Doll

German-born and London-based rapper Vanessa Mahi, better known by her stage name Ivorian Doll, flaunts her attitude through her electric wordplay. Vanessa Mahi got her start as a YouTuber by vlogging on unfiltered scandalous topics. The transformation into Ivorian Doll is the extension to the creativity Mahi expresses. The Youtuber made her debut as a rapper with the collaboration with her friend Abigail Asante in the single “Spare Me” in 2019.

Without a record label yet, Ivorian Doll has made a name for herself after her single “Queen of Drill,” went viral on TikTok. The feminist statement is for any prominent woman to rise up. Ivorian Doll’s single “F U Pay Me” featured in Headie One’s debut album Edna in 2020. Her Barbie-inspired aesthetic is a full-blown confident expression of female empowerment that gives ode to Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim. Ivorian Doll’s passion for dolling up with make-up and wigs is her trademark in her artistry and entrepreneurial endeavor for her upcoming wig line.

Celeste

A soulful and jazzy musician, Celeste sends goosebumps with her alluring voice. British-Jamaican Celeste Waite talent arose at the young age of nine where she was offered a scholarship for singing in a performing arts school. It was Celeste’s own ambition at 16 to upload a song on YouTube landing her a studio session with Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London where Led Zeppelin, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney famously recorded. Since then Celeste rose to success with her debut EP Milk and Honey released in 2017.

Celeste style channels film noir and glamour with her influences from Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Ocean, and Elton John. In 2020 she released “I Can See The Change,” a powerful tune on hope produced by Billie Eilish’s brother and producer, Finneas. Exciting work is coming from Celeste, with her next EP Not Your Muse” expected to be released on February 26, 2021.

Ari Lennox

R&b and soul artist Ari Lennox born Courtney Salter made her first wave of stardom by appearing on the BET show “106 & Park.” Since then, she released her debut album Shea Butter Baby sheds a light on black sexuality with the raw hit “Whipped Cream”. The artist stars eau natural and unfiltered like the music she writes. What makes the album more special is Lennox’s big risk of the 1970’s classic “If You Want Me to Stay,” by Sly and the Family Stone. Lennox’s cover serves as a philanthropic cause. Lennox partnered with Main Street Alliance to help struggling entertainment venues where all the proceeds from her version will be donated. Covering a well-known track with a new essence proves Lennox’s artistry.

For Lennox, Black Beauty is her key to empowerment. She is the icon for appreciation of Black skin, popping curls and the Black body. Her realness and authenticity in r&b in a jazzy manner makes her into the perfect neo soul mold. Look out Lennox’s single “Grounded” a jingle released in December 2020 for the Black-owned subscription-based service with the same name.

Banoffee

Born Martha Brown, the Austriallian star took on the stage name Banoffee after a dessert filled with whipped cream, bananas and carmel. It’s the indulgent pastry from Melborne that describes the pop tunes of Banoffee. She rose from the background to fame as a singer-songwriter, playing synths for talented women like Taylor Swift and Charli XCX. All of the money from touring went towards Banoffee’s debut album “Look At Us Now Dad.” The album is an autobiographical tale for the singer looking back on her Australlian roots. It’s a reflective album with themes of ancestry, family and hardship in an 80’s poprock electric style. Banoffee’s struggle to make as a music sensation in Los Angeles reminded her of the passion for music she has in Australian underground pop scene and making it in a foreign city.

Visually Banoffee style is based on her love of Animation with a contrast between metallics and vibrant color with blood. It’s a playful continuation of the self empowering transformation of trauma that Banoffee sings about like the single “Chevron,” which comes from a hard moment when her car broke down in Los Angeles while loosing her synthisizer in need of extra cash in the process. Outside of music, the singer’s creativity in fashion will debut in Melborne in 2021 with her collaboration with Melborne based label, Pageant.

Ashnikko

Blue haired and anime villain- inspired fashion makes Ashnikko hard to miss in the world of pop. The North Carolina native with the real name Ashton Nicole Casey, turned Londoner singer and songwriter blends pop, rock, and rap. Ashnikko’s success blew up on TikTok with the viral break-up track “Stupid.”It even got Miley Cyrus’s sister to dance along in 2019.

Ashnikko’s music video “Cry” featuring Grimes is an homage to visual animation from IMVU and The Sims. A group of fairies give Ashnikko’s character the power to plot an out this world revenge- ripping her friend in half. Talk about a nightmare in an eccentric punk song. In “Daisy,” Ashnikko is personified into a character Daisy where she sports a latex-yellow outfit standanding up to rapists directed by the fashion director Charlotte Rutterford. Ashnikko’s next mixtape, DEMIDEVIL is expected to be relased on her birthday on Februrary 19, 2021. The upcoming mixtape is the duality the devil and human. The mentally ill and sanity. Most importantly, feminism and sexual empowerment.

Tate McRae

The 17-year-old Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer Tate McRae began her humble path on YouTube. Gradually, her dancing skills placed her in third place on So You Think You Can Dance? She rose to stardom after her single, “You Broke Me First,” in her debut EP “All of the Issues I By no means Mentioned,” became TikTok viral. The music video for single was entirely shot on her iPhone with taped tissue boxes. Since then the young star has co-wrote with Billie Ellish and collaborated with Finneas on the single “Tear Myself Apart.”

McRay’s music falls in like with the pop and emo genre that dominates the current music scene. Her latest track “r u ok,” is a spicy and emotional tune captured on a ukelele.

Josie Man

An opposing force to negativity, where fairies, sweetness, smiles and laughter fills your ears describes Josie Man. She is a London-based singer with warmth and glistening songs. In her single “Grow,” she flies into a radiant night sky in a fantasy land. It’s a dreamy pop song which gives a powerful statement on vulnerablity. Her colorful style inspiration comes from dolls, knockoff Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci with platform shoes. It’s easy to see this reciprication in her music. In the track “Colours,” she makes a case for dreaming big in a vision of pink.

Brightness and self-love taps deep into Man’s own nostalgia as she grew up to playing a glittering blue guitar decorated with Bratz stickers. The musical instruments are as glam as the artistic fashion choices Man makes. Man obsesses over fashion on Instagram where she shares DIY sweaters based on Chanel. She shares stories about her accessories one ring was gifted from her boyfriend another ring from a family trip to Mexico and a ring from her cousin with her family’s initials. Man’s airy voice is a gem in satin and tulle.

Normani

Born Normani Kordei Hamilton, this star was discovered on the talent TV show X-Factor when she was placed into a girl group Fifth Harmony and the rest is history. The former member of Fifth Harmony is a breakout star in her own right. Following the breakup of the girl group in 2018, it’s time for Normani to be her authentic self. The Atlanta-born pop star found her inspiration to go solo when her Twitter feed was filled with racist and offensive tweets as the only Black member of the group.

Normani made her debut as a solo artist with the hit “Motivation,” which she co-wrote with Ariana Grande in the music video she shows off her talent in choreography and shoots a basketball off her butt. She recreated one of her idol’s Janet Jackson in “Pleasure Principle” and partnered with Khalid with the single “Love Lies.” Since then Normani has collaborated with more artists such as 6lack’s “Waves” and Sam Smith’s “Dancing with a Stranger.” The singer is expanding the definition of Black beauty when she joined Savage X Fenty as the first brand ambassador where she performed in the fashion show in 2019. Normani is also Urban Decay’s newest brand ambassador or UD Global Citizen, where she represents the brand’s Ultraviolet Eyeshadow Palette and other beauty launches in the future.

Nija Charles

You probably heard Nija Charles pen in several hits of iconic pop stars such as Beyonce, Cardi B, SZA, Maroon 5 and Kehlani. She is one of the most sought-after songwriters in hip-hop, pop and r&b as her work has been nominated for several Grammys. “No Guidance” by Chris Brown and Drake was nominated for best r&b song in 2020 and Meek Mill’s album Championships was nominated for best rap album. She is literally the key to many pop stars successes. Charles achieved her first number one hit with her collaboration with Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s “Rain on Me.” Recently, the songwriter achieved more hits by co-writing songs for Ariana Grande’s album Positions. Charles credits her success with her ambition of finding the right team at Universal during her college years at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music.

Charles is an ambitious woman who wants to continue to write music and eventually start her own production company. Currently, Charles is taking the time to focus on her solo work. Her first album in collaboration with rapper Mulatto and other artists is set to be released in 2021.

Bree Runway

British pop star Bree Runway got her name by her cousin, whose Facebook name is RUNWAY PEDRO. Born Brenda Wireko Mensah, she created a fashionable name for herself. Fashion is in Bree Runway’s DNA, in 2016 Runway released her first single “Butterfly,” where the video was shot in Dubai by the model Leomie Anderson. Following with the pop star making her debut EP Be Runway in 2019, where the singer and rapper developed her style of pop-rock with an emo dark side.

Runaway’s album 2000AND4EVA is making headlines with the single “APESHIT.” The video is inspired by the videos of Missy Elliott and references ’90s fashion of the early Jean Paul Gaultier fashion shows. On the song “ATM” she teamed up with the nineties icon Missy Elliott to create a Nineties throwback. The singer plays it up with old school technology in the music video, “LITTLE NOKIA,” where the singer is riding a vintage 2000 Nokia cell phone. This year, look out for Bree Runway’s single “Ain’t It,” on FIFA 21 VOLTA Football soundtrack and more projects to come.

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