5 Songs to Help You Apply Pressure During Women’s History Month
It’s still women’s history month and if you don’t know already, this year’s theme is Accelerate Action. Before we get into the music, let’s give you some context. According to the World Economic Forum, it’ll take another 133 years or so to achieve true gender parity at the current rate of progress (yes girl, a whole one hundred and thirty-three years. SOS!). In order to speed things up, women everywhere have been encouraged to accelerate action by taking swift and proactive steps towards realizing this goal.
To give the girls some much needed motivation in these dire times, we’ve put together a list of songs by your favorite Mavin dolls-past and present. Barbie Land, here we come!
Woman Commando- Ayra Starr, Anitta & Coco Jones
In 2011 Beyonce released Run The World (Girls), a girl power anthem for the ages. Fast forward to 13 years later, Ayra Starr releases “Woman Commando”, another girl power anthem for the ages (a coincidence? We think not. She is clearly the chosen one). “Woman Commando” takes a page straight out of the ancient texts of pop girls past-conveying a message of female supremacy over a groovy beat that will instantly make you feel like the queen of the world. Beyond that, it also reminds us of the importance of true community and solidarity as we work to build a more inclusive world for women everywhere.
Wanted- Tiwa Savage
Everyone remembers where they were when the music video for Tiwa Savage’s “Wanted” dropped in 2013 (the outrage? The discourse? No 1 African bad girl for a reason!). However you choose to interpret this song, the feeling of confidence it inspires is universal. Accelerating action as women takes guts and if we’ve learned anything from Tiwa Savage over the years, it’s that you can’t go very far if you’re afraid to cause a little commotion. So be bold this month. Be provocative. Own your power and don’t be scared to cause a small uproar here and there (last, last, everyone will be fine.)
Many Men- Elestee
There will be times that you doubt your ability to make a difference, and in those moments of uncertainty or self doubt it’s important to take a beat and remember exactly who you are (that girl, duh!). Elestee’s “Many Men” is 2 minutes and 8 seconds of straight flexing with a side of lamba, and sometimes that’s all you need. So on the days when picking yourself back up seems harder than usual- or if you just need a little dance break to get you through the day-spin this jam and thank us later!
Wuta-Di’Ja
“Wuta” is the Hausa word for fire- and this song is definitely that. But before we get into Di’ja’s flaming hot clapbacks, let’s talk a bit about what fire represents. Perhaps the most dangerous element, fire symbolizes assertiveness, energy and passion. Fire refines and transforms, just as accelerating action for women will refine and transform the world around us for the better *insert deep and thoughtful “hmms”*. Di’ja effortlessly embodies the spirit of fire on this track, and we hope it inspires you to do the same.
Birds Sing of Money- Ayra Starr
The Ayra Starr we hear on “Birds Sing of Money” is a no-nonsense babe who is all about keeping her eyes on the prize. She takes no prisoners and makes no apologies-which is exactly the kind of energy you want to have when you’re doing your part to accelerate action. Creating an equitable world before 2158 may seem like an impossible feat, but it’s important to keep doing the work regardless. Like Ayra Starr’s mama rightly said, “giving up is giving up”. So don’t take your foot off that gas! Keep going, protect your energy-and keep your sisters close.
