Two Women Who Revolutionized Music and Fashion

By: Abel Barrientos, Writer

"I said that I wasn't a sex symbol and that if anybody tried to make me one I'd shave my head tomorrow.” – Poly Styrene

Poly Styrene is one of punk music’s greatest lost icons. Hailing from Brixton, England, Styrene became the lead vocalist of punk band X-Ray Spex when she was only 19 years old. Though the band released just one album, Germfree Adolescents, it would go on to revolutionize punk music throughout the later part of the 1970s. The album is listed as one of the best albums of all time by many music publications.

X-Ray Spex was innovative in the sense that they were everything other punk bands were not; they had a female lead vocalist, songs denouncing consumerism and gender roles, and a saxophone that defined their unique sound.

However, much of X-Ray’s Spex appeal came from Styrene’s unconventional image. By sporting her gold braces, soldier hats, and DayGlo attire, she was a deep contrast to any of the other women in the British music scene at the time. She wanted to do what men were doing and not fall into the “sex symbol” category of her contemporaries. She believed that “if the Sex Pistols could do it, so could she.” Today, artists such as FKA Twigs, Grimes and Henry Rollins list her as an inspiration.

“I would like to see less jealousy and more unity–and a lot more respect for women.”– Lil’ Kim

Lil’ Kim is, inarguably, the “Queen of Rap.” The title, given to her after the release of her 1996 debut Hard Core, still holds true to this day. Her bold approaches to hip-hop, fashion, and sexuality have made her one of the most important figures in recent music history.

Kim is important in the sense that she mothered a whole new generation of female rappers. She redefined what it meant to be a woman in hip-hop, pushing the boundaries as to how a woman could exist in a male-dominated environment. She was not afraid to openly discuss her sexuality (“I don't want dick tonight/Eat my pussy right”), nor was she afraid of displaying it with her image. She gladly embraced the “sex icon” label, but made sure people knew she could rap before anything else.

Lil’ Kim’s self-expression was further fueled by her love for fashion. Her self-described “ghetto fabulous” style introduced hip-hop trends such as pasties, colored wigs, embellished denim, neon furs, and heavy designer clothes. Kim’s impact is still seen today, with artists such as Beyoncé, Solange, Kanye West, and Missy Eliott listing her as a major influence.

*Photo credit: Michael Lavine