The entire world watched President Barack Obama take his leading lady, Michelle Obama, for a spin across the dance floor at the Inauguration Balls on Monday, January 22. As he said to the world, while everyone may not like him, there’s no dispute that every person on the planet loves his leading First Lady.
It’s nearly impossible to measure the impact that women have had on politics, art, music, and DJ culture in the last few years. Thanks to the ladies increasing presence, longevity, and diversity, it no longer matters if statistically the industry skews male. The range of styles and ideas represented by the women on this list pushes sound beyond the clubs and radio, into the worlds of film, television and technology.
Originally this list was supposed to spotlight 10 women in EDM. Then 10 became 15. And then 15 became 20. Surely, that’s some measure of success.
Ellen Allien
Berlin-based Ellen Allien (Ellen Fraatz) established herself in the early ‘90s with residencies at the Bunker and Tresor clubs, a radio show and her fist label, Braincandy. Since 1999, she’s run BPitch Control, home to minimal techno heavyweights like Sascha Funke and Apparat. In addition to running a label, recording music, and DJing extensively, Allien moonlights as a casual fashion designer.
Kim Ann Foxman
New York’s Kim Ann Foxman grew up in Hawaii, wanting to be Ya Kid K from Technotronic. After a stop in San Francisco, she landed in NYC and became part of DFA Records’ post disco group Hercules and Love Affair. On her own, she has built an underground following through her remixing work and DJ sets, both heavy on deep, acid house grooves
Like DJ Sneak, Derrick Carter and many of Chicago’s finest, Brooklyn born DJ Heather Robinson cut her chops at Chi-town staples the Red Dog nightclub and Gramaphone Records shop. In the past few years, her blend of hard house and funky disco has made her one of the breakout talents from the latest wave of Chicago greats.
See the full list at VIBE.com!