Behind The Tunes : QUEER WOMEN Producers and Songwriters That Are Behind Some Of Our Fav Songs
BY DANI MIRELES (SHE/HER)Behind every song that is sung by our favourite artist or band, there are producers who have perfectly crafted them. With their immense influence over the evolution of the music industry in the shadows, they are not often recognized for the hard work that involves mixing and producing the tunes that unite people. In the large and global expanse that the music industry is, producers are considered to be the architects of the beats that go far beyond a recording studio. Among the talented producers we know today, there are bisexual and lesbian women whose contributions have reshaped music into what we know of today, and have given us some of our favourite songs without us being aware of it.
Every lyric, melody and beat is created to resonate with an audience, to revoke emotions and to make someone feel understood. Very much recently, the music industry has undergone a shift towards more inclusivity and diversity in the industry, this allowing talented LGBTQ+ to emerge from the shadows and be heard, bringing voices to bisexual and lesbian music producers and singers.
Victoria Monét
With recent Grammy wins, Victoria has been emerging from the shows and taking over the mainstream music industry, but she has been behind all of our favourite tracks for the past decade. Writing Ariana Grande’s biggest hits such as “Thank You, Next” and “7 rings” and contributing a lot in Positions, she has also written songs for bands like Fifth Harmony. Monet has been a force in the music industry, bringing her uniqueness to every project that she has worked on and infusing it with themes of love and empowerment. As an openly bisexual artist, she has become an icon for her queer fans. Victoria Monet is easily one of the most successful songwriters in recent years.
Linda Perry
As the frontwoman of a band called “4 Blondes”, she transitioned her career into a songwriter and music producer, which gained her a lot of critical success for her vulnerability and raw lyrics that she talks about in the songs she has written. Her writing credits include Pink’s “Get The Party Started” and Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”, earning her a Song Of The Year nomination. In the year 2011, she launched her own record label Rockstar Records and Custard Records, in which she began publishing acoustic cover songs. She has become a songwriting and producing icon, but not only that, she constantly works closely with organisations like Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center to promote freedom of expression and promote inclusiveness.
Ebonie Smith
Ebonie Smith is a talented music producer who identifies as a lesbian. She is a skilled engineer and is known for the great variety of songs she has worked in. Hit songs such as “I Like It” by Cardi B, “Have It All” by Jason Marz, also having collaborations with Janelle Monáe, Ms. Lauryn Hill and more. She has proven herself to be a pioneer of her work across different music genres. She has also been an advocate for inclusion in the music industry world. Ebonie is also the CEO of Gender Amplified Inc, an organisation that supports women in the music industry.
Gail Ann Dorsey
Gail Ann Dorsey is a skilled musician, songwriter and music producer who has worked with artists such as David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, and Tears for Fears. She has become a respected icon for the music industry for her contributions and her creative mind. Over the years, she has constantly pushed musical boundaries by experimenting with different sounds that have led to become groundbreaking sounds in the industry, her looping technology got her acclaim from musicians and audiences. She has spoken up about her experiences in the industry as a queer woman, and using her platform to advocate for visibility.
Julia Michaels
Apart from her solo work, Julia Micheals is a singer-songwriter music producer who has written songs for some of the most famous singers right now such as Selena Gomez,Shawn Mendes,Janelle Monàe, Ed Sheeran and more. Her writing catalogue spans from diverse genres and artists from pop to acoustic to rock sounds. She has proven herself to be an iconic hit writer as she embarks on themes such as lost love, empowerment and more. She identifies herself as a bixsexual woman.
These women have made significant contributions to the music industry for their work as music producers, songwriters and engineers, while also being open about their sexuality and advocating for visibility. These women are perfect examples of creativity and talent, and through it they remind us that love has no boundaries and how music unites society.
They have left an incredible mark in the music industry, as they have created our favourite songs. From Gail Ann Dorsey’s incredible collaborations with music icon David Bowie to Victoria Monet creating our favourite pop songs, they inspire the audiences to embrace their true selves. The voices and talents of these women will continue to inspire future generations and create future music producers and songwriters who will also change the music industry. As we celebrate Women’s History and Empowerment month, we applaud and honour these women who embraced their identity and brought their creativity to us, paving the way for more acceptance and visibility. Their talents have captivated melodies, created raw and vulnerable lyrics, and have created innovative beats. Their success serves as inspirations and role models for aspiring producers, as they are reminded that diversity is welcome and celebrated in this industry.