Beyoncé has long been a beacon of pop feminism, and her new record Lemonade only adds to that legacy. She is following in the vein of other strong music heroines such as Aretha Franklin, Tori Amos, The Indigo Girls and Liz Phair, to name but a few. Here are five current recording artists who proudly expound feminist ideals, either in their art or as part of their public persona.
Fiona Apple
Her records are events because they're so rare and refreshing. The American singer is unapologetic and brutally honest on her records. 2012's Idler Wheel was full of viciously embarrassing lyrics directed both at herself and romantic muse, whoever that was.
Ani DiFranco
Speaking of honesty, no one triumphs feminist ideals more honestly or prolifically than DiFranco. Ever independent, Di Franco has been recording since she was 18, released more than 20 albums and has her own label. A longtime champion of social equality, the 45-year-old Grammy winner once wrote in the LA Times – in response to a condescending remark from non-feminist Joni Mitchell – that: "Either you are a feminist or you are a sexist/misogynist. There is no box marked 'other'."
Grimes
Claire Boucher has the look, voice and everything else to be a high-profile, Disney-bred pop princess – and she has rejected it all. She's an auteur pigeonholed as "indie" only because there's no real label worthy of her art. She once wrote on her Tumblr that she didn't want to be "infantalised because I refuse to be sexualised". This is an artist's whose breakout song – 2012's Oblivion – is a bubbly-dark recounting of a past sexual assault. She's since worked and succeeded at carving her own niche in neither the pop space nor the indie space, but in the Grimes space where she's the only resident.
Lorde
The wunderkind from New Zealand produced one of the catchier songs and most surprising records of the decade a few years ago, and expertly navigated the tidal wave of fame that followed by shrugging off countless think-pieces about her appearance or maturity. Lorde is a shining example of letting your work speak for itself and, while her music isn’t overtly feminist itself (yet), she’s had no problem touting her ideals in interviews.
Pussy Riot
Bravely pro-woman in male-dominated Russia with a name that screams “love me or hate me”, the group are most famous for going to prison for not relenting on their ideals and not bowing to authority. The collective of roughly 11 members have become more of an ideal in and of themselves than an active recording group, but their influence and message is far more important than any music they could produce.