Who runs Spotify? The queens of music, of course! From Dolly Parton, to Beyonce, to Jennifer Lopez, music has been dominated by absolute queens and goddesses for centuries. With each new decade comes new music royalty, though, and it’s important to keep up with the names rising through the ranks. Here is a list of some amazing new queens of music that you need to add to your playlists NOW.
One of my absolute favorite queens of music, Ashnikko has been making a big name for herself over the last few years. While she released her first EP in 2018, her music has seen a big jump in popularity through TikTok. Her 2019 hit “Stupid” (feat. Yung Baby Tate) and the 2021 release “Slumber Party” (feat. Princess Nokia) have both become viral sensations, with celebrities like Miley Cyrus dancing to the popular hits.
Ashnikko’s sound is primarily pop and hip-hop, but her lyrics are unapologetic and cutting, and she’s not afraid to call someone out or take on risque content. She won’t be the kind of music you play for your grandma, but she will have you scream rapping in your car at 3 am.
Another TikTok viral sensation, Doja Cat deserves her place in the ranks of queens of music for her absolute bops and confident attitude. Since the release of her first album in 2014, Doja Cat has been killing the music game with songs like “Say So,” “Boss Bitch,” and “Kiss Me More” collab with SZA. She’s also released some viral music videos, most notably her video for “MOOO!” which features her in a cow print two-piece, eating a hamburger.
Doja Cat’s sound is pop and rap, and she is all about saying exactly what she wants to regardless of whether people are going to like it. I mean, who can make a bop out of the line “Bitch, I’m a cow”? The answer: Doja Cat.
This Latin-American rapper is absolutely one of the queens of music and should be added to every “Girl Boss” playlist. Her raps are cutting and honest, and she’s not afraid to call out a f-boy or two. Her songs “Waste of Time” and “Funny” say exactly what we’re all thinking after a bad breakup, and her “Not Tonight” is perfect for every girl that just wants to go to the club with her girlfriends without some guy trying to pick her up.
For all my Hamilton fans, she was also featured on the “Hamilton Mixtape” album with her part in the remix of “Immigrants.” She perfectly mixes both Spanish and English into her raps, and you’ll feel like an absolute boss whenever you’re listening to her.
One of the most popular queens of music currently, Dua Lipa has made a big name for herself since the release of her self-titled album in 2017. Since then, she’s seen many of her songs climb to #1 chart-toppers, like her “Don’t Start Now,” “New Rules,” “IDGAF,” and “Blow Your Mind (Mwah).” She’s an absolute for any night out with the girls, and you can’t hear any of her songs without immediately wanting to dance.
Her songs have also been featured on multiple “Just Dance” video games – I’m not saying I’ve memorized all the moves by now, but I’ve probably memorized all the moves by now. They’ll make you a true legend the next time you go out dancing.
Another girl boss and a must for any playlist featuring the queens of music, Maggie Rogers couples her soft, beautiful voice with emotionally honest songs to create chill songs perfect for any calm vibes playlist. Her 2019 “Heard It In A Past Life” album features some absolutely killer bops, like “Alaska,” “Light On,” and “Give A Little.” For anyone trying to function through a bad breakup and needs some uplifting music to get them out of their emotional slump, “Alaska” is the perfect song for you.
Her hit “Light On” was featured in the 2019 film “Tall Girl.”
For those looking for more R&B and soul queens of music to add to their Spotify playlists, Jorja Smith is a great choice for you. This 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Walsall saw a giant rise in her career in 2018 when she won the “Critics Choice Award” at the Brit Awards. Her songs “Blue Lights,” “Be Honest,” and “Where Did I Go?” are absolutely amazing, and her 2018 “I Am” was included in the “Black Panther” film and soundtrack.
Another of the new queens of music, Beabadoobee is a newcomer on the music scene. Her 2017 song “Coffee” was heavily included as part of singer Powfu’s “Death Bed (Coffee For Your Head),” which became a viral hit on TikTok as the go-to song for teens starting romances with their best friends. She released her debut studio album “Fake It Flowers” in October of 2020 and will be touring the U.K. and Ireland this year headlining the album.
She’s served as the supporting act for some major bands–namely Clairo and the 1975 – so it’ll be exciting to see how headlining her own tour will go!
This vlogger, singer, and songwriter has been one of my queens of music for a while, so I’m so excited to see her career grow as much as it has. Dodie’s YouTube channel “doddleoddle” was starting in 2011, and her original song “Rain” was uploaded that year. Since then, she’s done numerous covers and released countless originals, from “She” to “Human” to “Cool Girl.” Her music and music videos are emotional and personal, and she speaks to the truths inside of all of us.
Her “I’m Sick of Losing Soulmates” will bring you to tears, and you’ll be completely alright with that.
One of my favorite dark queens of music, Lucy Loone creates music that is completely unique and her own. Her EP “I Love Lucy” was released in 2020, and featured some creepy-cute sounds from “Big Blood Mansion” to “123.” Her most recent album “Nightgore,” released in 2021, includes the songs “Vulnerable” and “Incision.”
For those girl-boss listeners who like the music of Ashnikko and Melanie Martinez, Lucy Loone is somewhere in the middle of these two and will give you the best creepy-cute vibes.
An absolute goddess, Awkwafina belongs not only to the queens of music but also to comedy queens and drama queens. A triple threat, Awkwafina has connected her name with some amazing songs and movies, from her rap hit “Ghost” to her loveable good character in 2018’s “Crazy Rich Asians.” For anyone looking for a killer rap album to jam to, check out her 2018 album “In Fina We Trust.” You won’t regret it.
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