Billie Holiday was born as Eleanora Fagan on April 7,1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Holiday had a difficult childhood and her mother forced her to move to Baltimore with her half sister. She was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Critic John Bush wrote that Holiday “changed the art of American pop vocals forever.” She only co-wrote a few songs, but several of them have become jazz standards like “God Bless the Child” and “Lady Sings the Blues”. She was made famous with 1939 recording.

I picked Billie Holiday because she is well known for her voice. I like Billie Holiday’s music because its soft and soothing to me. Her music makes you feel comfortable because  it has a soft beat. Billie Holiday biggest influences were Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. One of Billie Holiday’s song’s was named the song of the century in 1999. It was called “Strange Fruit.” This song was wrote by Abel Meeropol. He wrote a poem about it then he made a song because he was disturbed with racism in America. It was printed in a teacher’s union publication and then he played it for a New York club. It was later given to Billie Holiday. When she decided to sing “Strange Fruit” it reached millions of people.

- Brianna

Selena Quintanilla-Perez is known as Selena. She was an American singer- songwriter. She was named the “Top Latin Artist of the 90s” and was the best selling Latin artist of the decade. Selena was born on April 16, 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas and died on March 31, 1995 in Corpus Christi, Texas. She had fourteen top singles in the Top Latin Songs chart including seven number one hits. She was called “The Queen of Tejano music” and is considered the Mexican equivalent of Madonna. Selena released her first album Selena y Los Dinos at the age of twelve.

Selena was influenced by Donna Summers, Gloria Estefan, Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. I choose Selena because I remembered in the movie Selena her songs made you want to get up and dance. The way she sings in most of her songs sounds as if she is happy and is enjoying the song. I like the sound of her voice and how she sings in Spanish and English.

- Brianna

MC Lyte was born as Lana Michele Moorer on October 11,1970. She is an American hip hop artist and actor, a rapper who first gained fame in the late 1980’s, and the first solo female rapper to release a full album. she was raised in Brooklyn where she started rhyming at the age of 12. MC Lyte was nominated for both a Grammy and a BET award in 2003 for releasing an independently produced record called “The Undaground Heat” ft. Jamie Foxx.

I chose MC Lyte because I never really heard her music before, but her name sounded different. MC Lyte was inspired by Run DMC and Big Daddy Kane. She has influenced several women such as Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliot and Foxy Brown. I like her music because the beat and the lyrics makes you want to listen to what she is rapping about. I like her because her music tells a story about her life and what she went through. For example, the song “I Cram to Understand You” is about about a relationship that fell apart.

She performed at the Essence Music Festival’s block party event in New Orleans in the picture above. She work with an organization for young women called Hip Hop Sisters. It’s focused on enlightening and empowering women . She is doing this with Kelly Price, Faith Evans and Chilli.

- Brianna

barracudablog:

sophy & lena screened their own t-shirts last week a ‘cuda club! this wednesday we’re making zines! we hope to see you there from 3:30-6:30 PM!

- laura

Check out all the cool things Barracuda Club is doing on their blog & join in on the fun every Wednesday from 3:30-6:30 PM! No registration is required!

Shout out wall :’) (Taken with Instagram)

Anna Mae Bullock is known by her stage name Tina Turner. She is an American singer, dancer and actress. Tina started her career in the mid 1950s as a featured singer with Ike Turner. She was introduced to the public in the 1960s as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, recorded several hits like “River Deep”, “Mountain High” in 1966, and “Proud Mary” in 1971. In 1976 Tina and Ike split because domestic abuse. After her divorce in 1978 she rebuilt her career by constantly performing, eventually launching another series of hits. In 1983 she released the single “Let’s Stay Together” and in 1984 she released her fifth solo album Private Dancer that features the song “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”

I picked Tina Turner because I think she is a very strong woman. She went through an abusive relationship and got through it. Tina Turner was inspired by the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, James Brown, Sam Cooke and Etta James. Tina has influenced several women like Janet Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Beverley Knight and Tweet. I first noticed Tina Turner in the movie What’s Love Got To Do With It, a biographical film about her life. Her movie and song was very touching to me. I like the sound of her voice when she sings. She sounds very strong.

- Brianna

ladyfestphilly:

We have a logo! Designed by the incredible Tiff Cheng. Coming to totes and tapes and t-shirts near you.

Look at the cool new logo for Ladyfest! Did you know the girls in our after school program, Barracuda Club, are planning a benefit show for it? 

Mary J. Blige was born January 11, 1971 in the Bronx, New York. She is a famous R&B soul singer. She won her first talent competition at age 7 performing Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect.” She improved her sing technique in local church’s choir. Her first album, “What’s the 411?”, was released on July 28,1992. “Real Love” and “You Remind Me” became number one Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Tracks.

I picked Mary J. Blige because she expresses her feelings through her music. Mary was influenced by Otis Redding, Gladys Knight, Al Green, and Donny Hathaway; she listened to them as a child. Mary has influenced several female artist including Beyonce, Aailyah, Kelly Rowland, Monica, Keri Hilson, Amy Winehouse, and Ciara. Mary J. Blige’s music makes me think about life and how you will face obstacles life. I like that most of her lyrics are about her life story. I like the beat and melody because it makes you feel the words and actually listen. She sings/raps about her feelings throughout life.

Watch her perform one of my favorite songs, “25/8”!

- Brianna

ladyfestphilly:

Parliament Funkadelic

Badd Kitti started things off with a set of P-Funk covers. Though they were only three people, they more than lived up challenge. Dianne (keys/vox) is an instructor in the Girls Rock Philly after school program, and we are stoked that she is a part of Ladyfest.

Miss Ma’am Dianne, one of our After School Program instructors, participated in Saturday’s Ladyfest Galentine’s Day Cover Band Show. Check her and her band (Bad Kitti) out!

GRP volunteers were also in The Gossip, Electrelane and Kleenex/Liliput cover bands!

(Source: ladyfestphilly)

barracudablog:

Meet the members of the ‘Cuda Blogging Team! Please excuse our crazy faces.

From left to right-
Top Row- Chris, Laura, Mecca, Diane
Bottom Row- Sophy, Emma (a.k.a. Willow), Molly

Barracuda Club, our drop-in program on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30 PM, is starting a blog! Make sure to check out posts written by our ‘Cuda Club members!

Girls Rock Philly is launching our Endless (Donna) Summer Indie Go Go Campaign! We need to raise $5,000 by September 7! Help us launch our new after-school programming by donating today and sending this link to your friends, family & co-workers! We rock because of you!