For women in music, building a career has often meant navigating an industry that hasn’t always offered equal visibility or opportunity. Yet across genres and countries, many artists continue to carve out their own paths — releasing music independently, building communities around their work, and redefining what success can look like.
To explore these journeys, we spoke with several female artists working with iMusician about their experiences, the challenges they’ve faced, and what it means to pave their own way today.
Breaking Barriers in Music
Female artists have made significant progress in gaining visibility and recognition in the music industry, though the journey has rarely been straightforward. While conversations around representation and equality continue, there have been important milestones worth celebrating across genres, roles, and areas of the music business.
For example, in 1933, Florence Price became the first African American woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra. In 1947, Miriam Abramson co-founded Atlantic Records, helping shape one of the most influential labels in modern music.
Recognition for female performers also grew over time. In 1959, Ella Fitzgerald became the first Black woman to win a Grammy Award, while in 1987, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
More recently, artists such as Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift have continued to break records and redefine what success can look like in the industry.
These milestones are only a few examples from the past century. They highlight both the progress that has been made and the barriers that once limited women’s opportunities in music. Today, a new generation of artists is continuing that legacy – building careers, shaping their own creative identities, and navigating the industry on their own terms.
The following artists represent just a few of those voices.
1. Sana
For Finnish rap artist Sana, music is both an outlet and a form of resilience. Unafraid to speak openly about difficult experiences, she uses her songs to address themes like bullying, personal struggles, and substance abuse. Blending elements of rap, pop, and rock, Sana has built a sound that mirrors that emotional intensity. Her journey has taken her from competing on X Factor Finland in 2018 to opening for 50 Cent during his 2022 tour in Finland. In early 2026, she also collaborated with AC Oulu to create the club’s support song “Pohjoisen voima,” bringing her music even closer to her local community.
Why Sana?
Sana’s openness about personal struggles and her willingness to turn them into music make her a powerful voice for listeners who may be facing similar experiences. By addressing issues like bullying and substance abuse while continuing to build her career on her own terms, she represents the courage and authenticity of artists forging their own path in today’s music industry.
Tell us about your journey as an independent artist so far. What key lessons have you learned that shaped the way you navigate the industry?
I have been working in the music industry since 2005. However, an alcohol problem that began when I was young cast a shadow over my life and career until 2015, when I got sober. In 2017, I started pursuing music more seriously and have worked ever since to keep developing as an artist and creator.
Collaboration has been one of the most important lessons for me. Working with different people has allowed me to explore new ways of making music and learn from others’ processes. I’ve also learned to keep my feet on the ground – even though I dream big – and never take my audience for granted. After all, it's thanks to them that I have a career and gigs in the first place.
As someone building your career independently, what has empowered you, and what has been challenging?
One of the biggest challenges is reaching new listeners and gaining visibility for my music without a large marketing budget. I dream of having my songs played on the radio and performing at major festivals, but as an independent artist, those goals feel like distant dreams. I work other jobs to finance my music, so managing time and resources can also be challenging at times. At the same time, even small successes, enjoyable projects, and collaborations give me motivation to keep going. I get a lot of energy from performing and from the audience, and I hope to play more gigs in the future – especially because we have built really energetic performances with my dancers.
What does creating your own path in music look like for you right now?
I have to admit that right now, it looks like my first big hit will happen this year – one of my demos is absolutely insane! Keep your fingers crossed.
I've been making a lot of music recently, and I'm really excited about my upcoming releases. I feel like I've found the right people around me, with whom it's fun and rewarding to create music. I hope that a wider audience will discover me and my music.
Which women in music have influenced your creative perspective the most, and why?
I’ve always named Mariska as my role model. She is a talented writer and singer who has built a long, successful career and paved the way for female rappers in Finland at a time when there were very few of them. She was the inspiration behind my decision to start releasing rap music in 2005. I faced a lot of bullying afterward, but music helped me get through it all, and I never gave up. Now, more than 20 years later, I’m still here creating and performing.
2. Candice Kipre
Blending modern Parisian pop with English indie rock and elements of traditional French chanson, Candice Kipre is a French artist with a distinctive musical identity. Known for her slightly husky, soulful voice, she combines catchy melodies with anthemic lyrics that balance strength and vulnerability. Her 2025 single “Louis” was released alongside a striking music video, while her latest track, “Pourquoi,” arrived in December 2025.
Why Candice Kipre?
A sense of dreaming and following your ambitions runs through Candice’s music and artistic journey, reflecting the idea that aspirations should never be silenced. In her songwriting, she often creates characters inspired by real encounters and stories, using them to explore love, relationships, and emotional complexity. Through these perspectives, her music celebrates vulnerability and the courage it takes to open oneself to the world, shaping an intimate and emotionally resonant pop universe.
Tell us about your journey as an independent artist so far. What key lessons have you learnt that shaped the way you navigate the industry?
My journey as an independent artist started with a kind of beneficial contradiction: nobody really cares about my dreams, so I might as well dream as big as I want. I stopped taking my existence so seriously that the fear of failure would guide my decisions, and because of that, I allowed myself to start sharing my art and spreading my music without overthinking it. From music, I expect nothing, but I give it my all.
As someone building your career independently, what has empowered you, and what has been challenging?
As an independent artist, what gave me strength was knowing that with social media, I had everything I needed at my fingertips to share my world. I feel like I'm on the cusp of something that could be huge, and I feel that this wonderful destiny is down to a bit of luck, yes, but above all to me, my courage, and my discipline. The challenge with this status is that when you're independent, no one expects anything from you, so your discipline depends solely on your mental strength to never give up. It's between you and yourself. That's what makes your successes even more beautiful.
What does creating your own path in music look like for you right now?
Right now, my path looks like a lot of “test and learn,” and I hope it always stays that way. I listen to my desires and to my deepest instincts. Most of the time, they push me to take the leap and say yes to the opportunities that scare me the most.
It’s a journey of self-discovery through music, through encounters with people, and through artistic experiences.
Which women in music have influenced your creative perspective the most, and why?
Two artists strongly influence my relationship with music.
The first is Amy Winehouse, who once said that she made the music she wanted to listen to. That sentence from Amy silences any temptation I might have to endlessly study the market and reconnects me with my instinct – the instinct to create music the way it comes to me, because it’s vital and because I need it.
Lady Gaga is another major inspiration, especially when it comes to discipline and performance. She also inspires me because she gives space to the darkest and deepest voices within herself.
More and more, I try to combine instinct and discipline in order to become the best version of myself. It’s a balance to find, but it’s a beautiful quest – one I feel I owe to my music and to the people who will listen to it.
3. FEMMEMEUF
Formed in 2022, FEMMEMEUF began as a group of friends making music together in their shared apartment. What started as casual jam sessions soon moved into rehearsal spaces and then onto stages across Switzerland, where the band quickly gained a reputation for their energetic live performances. In early 2026, they released their debut EP, Hurt but Hot, a vibrant collection of songs inspired by their personal experiences and powered by punchy drums, guitar riffs, and rich vocal harmonies. The band also received the Best Song award at Radio 3fach’s Kick Ass Awards and were selected for the Pop category at the m4music Demotape Clinic.
Why FEMMEMEUF?
FEMMEMEUF’s music carries a powerful sense of energy and connection, both musically and personally. The band’s strong friendship is at the heart of their creative process, and that bond is clearly reflected in their sound – from lively rhythms to tight vocal harmonies. Their story is a great example of how collaboration, friendship, and shared passion can shape a band’s unique path in the music industry.
Tell us about your journey as an independent artist so far. What key lessons have you learned that shaped the way you navigate the industry?
We’ve been very lucky to have many opportunities to play live gigs and participate in creative projects. It seems that people are excited to have a fresh new band around, which has encouraged us to put ourselves out there more. In that sense, we have received a very warm welcome from the industry. At the same time, we’ve had to learn that we are all doing this on the side and have limited capacity, so sometimes it's better in the long run to turn an opportunity down.
As someone building your career independently, what has empowered you, and what has been challenging?
We definitely underestimated the amount of admin work that comes with managing your band or releasing an EP. Sometimes it felt like discussions about schedules, organisational tasks, and to-dos completely took over our rehearsals, leaving little time to actually play our songs, let alone find creative space for new music. Over time, we realized how important it is to still find time to make music together regularly. Otherwise, it’s easy to forget how much fun being in a band together actually is and why we started doing this in the first place.
What does creating your own path in music look like for you right now?
Sometimes it’s tempting to get lost in strategic thinking, wondering whether to do things “right,” we need to do them in a specific way or at a specific time, so we don’t lose momentum. When that happens, it's important to stop and remind ourselves that we are in it for the fun, and the fun only!
Which women in music have influenced your creative perspective the most, and why?
It’s no secret that we are massive fans of Wet Leg! That's the kind of creative direction that all of us in the band can agree on. Other than that, our tastes vary, and depending on who brings in a creative idea, the inspirations range from Biig Piig to Wolf Alice, Black Sea Dahu, Manic Pixxies, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, and the list goes on...
4. Yenne
Yenne is a one-woman band from France who has established herself as a force in the metal scene. Her sound moves confidently beyond metal, blending elements of rock and pop with heavier metal influences to reach a wider audience. She stands out for her distinctive vocal tone and wide range, while also embracing her French roots in her artistic identity. In 2020, she released her debut single “Feed the Demon,” which has amassed nearly two million streams on Spotify alone.
Why Yenne?
Yenne’s music carries a striking sense of power and intensity, further elevated by her ability to move seamlessly between genres. Her song “Piece of Me” captures that razor-sharp energy particularly well. As a self-driven artist who writes, performs, and produces her own work, she shows how women in music can define their own sound and pursue their artistic visions on their own terms.
Tell us about your journey as an independent artist so far. What key lessons have you learned that shaped the way you navigate the industry?
I’ve been making music for 20 years. Yenne started 6 years ago, and that was when things became intentional. Not just passion, but strategy. Being independent taught me one brutal lesson: talent is not enough. The industry runs on capital, positioning, and consistency. You can have the best song in the room, but if no one sees it, it doesn’t exist. So I stopped waiting to be “chosen.”
I learned how to produce, mix, build my own live system with redundancy, run ads, study algorithms, create visuals, and understand audience retention. I see this as both art and engineering. Another key lesson? Own your narrative. If you don’t define yourself, the industry will put you into a box that’s easier to market. Independence forced me to become sharp – emotionally and strategically.
As someone building your career independently, what has empowered you, and what has been challenging?
Empowering? Control. I don’t ask for permission to experiment. I can scream in a breakdown, release something heavy, drop something fragile, post a raw iPhone video next to a cinematic clip. That freedom is priceless. What’s challenging is the financial reality. To scale, you either need a label that functions like a bank or you become your own bank. And that’s exhausting.
There are moments when you realise this industry rewards investment capacity as much as artistic vision, which can be discouraging. But I’d rather struggle building something real than succeed as someone else’s product.
What does creating your own path in music look like for you right now?
Right now, it looks like precision. I’m refining everything: my live shows, visual identity, and rollout strategies. I’m building systems that can scale – redundancy in my live setup, autonomy in my releases, and strong branding across platforms.
It also looks like resilience. I’ve had viral moments: over 600K views on TikTok from a simple, raw concept, as well as good Spotify stats and strong save rates. But I’m not chasing virality. I’m building longevity. Creating my own path means playing the long game, even when it’s slow, expensive, or lonely.
Which women in music have influenced your creative perspective the most, and why?
Hayley Williams, for her emotional intensity without losing technical control. She showed that you can be vulnerable and powerful at the same time. Billie Eilish, for redefining minimalism and proving that atmosphere can be louder than volume.
Dolores O’Riordan, for that raw, almost haunting vocal identity. She never sounded like anyone else. And honestly? Every woman who decided not to soften herself to be digestible. Because that’s the real influence, the permission to stay sharp.
5. ANIKK
Swiss artist ANIKK stands out for her ability to translate personal feelings and emotions into music that resonates deeply with her audience. Since beginning her music journey in 2023, she has been developing a distinctive pop sound that she is now exploring further in an electronic direction, blending elements of EDM, house, and UK garage. Her latest single, “Echoes,” offers a glimpse into this evolving sonic world. ANIKK has also begun making her first marks on the international stage, opening for artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Sophie and the Giants.
Why ANIKK?
In just a few years, ANIKK has emerged as one of the most exciting new pop voices on the Swiss music scene, and her captivating energy, both in her recordings and on stage, plays a big role in that. She is unapologetic about her emotions and the honesty in her songwriting, which draws listeners into her world.
Tell us about your journey as an independent artist so far. What key lessons have you learned that shaped the way you navigate the industry?
There are so many people around you in this industry – so many opinions, skills, and voices that try to influence you, sometimes in negative ways. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to listen to what feels right to me and to trust that feeling. If something feels wrong, you have to be honest with yourself and be willing to change it. That can mean ending certain relationships or changing your team until you find the people who truly support you. It can take a long time, but I think the key is to keep going. Eventually, you will build the right circle around you – almost like a family.
As someone building your career independently, what has empowered you, and what has been challenging?
What has empowered me the most is having good people around me who share the same vision. They help shape me into the person I want to become – my better and true self. They believe in me and help me create my own authentic sonic world. At the same time, they are also very critical and have an extremely ambitious mindset. I believe that kind of environment is the only way to grow.
One of the biggest challenges, for sure, is how the industry is generally structured. You can try as hard as you want, but in the end, success can depend on how much money you can invest or how you perform on social media… That can feel very frustrating.
What does creating your own path in music look like for you right now?
Creating my own path right now means putting my entire focus and energy into music. My daily life is built around pursuing and living my passion. That also means making sacrifices, but I just feel like this is my purpose, and I want to keep following it for as long as it makes me happy.
Which women in music have influenced your creative perspective the most, and why?
I’ve been a big fan of Tash Sultana. She’s incredibly authentic, creates her own sonic world, and has crazy skills. Right now, I’m really into artists like Lyrah. I love the energy in her music and how she combines the lightness of her voice with those driving beats. Loreen is also one of my biggest inspirations. Her voice and her entire presence are just magnetic. She’s a very special and inspiring soul.
6. LOULIA
Loulia is a French artist based in Berlin, blending sensual soul, alternative R&B, and jazz into a distinctive, cinematic style. Her music explores themes of dark femininity, empowerment, and growth, wrapped in a retro aesthetic that merges vintage charm with a modern edge. On stage, she creates an immersive experience through live vocals, playful crowd interactions, and a strong narrative presence – elements she developed during her years of musical training in South Korea. In 2024, Loulia appeared as a contestant on The Voice of Germany. Her upcoming release, “I Still Slay,” celebrates growing older with a touch of sarcasm.
Why Loulia?
Loulia’s journey so far reflects a continuous process of exploration and self-discovery. All her experiences – from appearing on The Voice to studying music and taking part in the K-pop scene in South Korea, and eventually moving to Berlin – have helped shape her unique artistic identity. Her path also highlights the willingness to step outside her comfort zone to grow both personally and creatively.
Tell us about your journey as an independent artist so far. What key lessons have you learned that shaped the way you navigate the industry?
My journey as an independent artist began in South Korea, where I studied music in Seoul and started performing on TV shows and stages. At the time, I was mainly focused on developing technical skills such as songwriting and live and studio performance.
Because I was often scouted by TV channels and venues, I didn’t always feel confident negotiating things like payment, and I sometimes felt too new to ask for what I deserved. After moving back to Europe 5 years ago, I really leaned into the booking, managing, promoting, and branding of my own artistry.
Starting my career in Korea showed me how demanding, honest, and shameless the industry can be. It taught me how to balance artistic authenticity with the reality that music is also a product, and how to separate my private self from the challenges of the industry.
As someone building your career independently, what has empowered you, and what has been challenging?
Being independent often means wearing many hats at once, which can make it difficult to focus on the creative side when the business side takes so much time and energy. At the same time, it has taught me that it’s okay to “sell” your work at a fair price, especially after investing so much time in developing your craft. I’ve also had encounters with labels and managers, and having experience managing many aspects of my career myself has helped me better understand what I expect from those relationships and how to approach them with more care.
It's also really exciting to present yourself as an artist you have built yourself. Having control of what you put out also comes with a lot of freedom, which I really appreciate, especially as someone who was signed in the past.
What does creating your own path in music look like for you right now?
Right now, it means surrounding myself with amazing musicians, producers, and creatives with whom I share a genuine understanding, and who respect my vision while also bringing their own expertise and ideas to the table. I'm trying to create a network based on trust and a safe space so we can create the best art possible together. I also spend a lot of time reflecting, talking with my audience and fellow artists, and researching to make sure I stay aligned with what feels authentic. And of course, there’s a lot of practical work – emails to venues and bookers – because performing live is where we have the most fun.
Which women in music have influenced your creative perspective the most, and why?
I am very impressed by RAYE. I relate to her musically, but I also admire how hard she works and how much knowledge she has built while staying confident in her abilities. To me, she represents true independence.
The rise of Cynthia Erivo is also absolutely fantastic, especially because of the range of skills and experiences she brings to her work. And of course, I’m inspired by artists such as YEBBA, Olivia Dean, or even Rosalía, who are each so talented and really have such distinctive artistic worlds, from their sound to their visual identity, while remaining grounded, curious, and constantly evolving.
Conclusion
The milestones achieved by women in music over the past century have opened doors that once seemed unreachable. Today, artists like the ones featured here continue that legacy in their own ways, building careers independently, shaping their artistic identities, and challenging expectations across genres. Their journeys remind us that progress in the industry is not only measured by records broken or awards won, but also by the freedom to create, experiment, and be heard. In doing so, they push the boundaries of what the future of music can look like – proving that women in the industry can define their own paths and reshape the possibilities for the generations that follow.
