June is Black Music Month!

Black Girls Allowed asked 7 Black women in music to offer Black women who aspire to work in the music industry one very important piece of advice, especially in the #MeToo/#TimesUp era, and here it is in their own words!

Black Women In Music

Imaní Scott – Recording Artist: Especially in the (music) industry, but also in life, you must have self-love and inner peace to flourish in everything you do. You will find that you are better able to navigate in these distracting and negative situations when you exude self-love. If anyone tries to hinder your growth as an artist, you will not have any problem speaking out about it.

Janelle Brown – Recording Artist: Never let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do because of how you look or your skin color. Embrace who you are and your talent, it’s the best and most unique part of who you are.

Meaghan Taylor – Founder of Women in Radio: One piece of advice I would give to a Black woman who aspires to be in the music industry is not to forget that you have a voice. It doesn’t matter where you are, in a boardroom or in front of one person, use your voice. Tell people how you feel, give them your opinions, don’t be a wallflower. If someone is bothering you, let it be known to HR. It’s hard and scary – but worth it. Your voice matters.

Lena Smith – CEO and Executive Producer of Young Millennium Records: Given the timing and candor of our society, I am definitely proud of any woman who wants to enter into the music industry for the right reason. It is definitely a challenging yet rewarding field, and with determination and hard work it can be done. I would encourage women to be careful in your business dealings and try to weed out the shiesters. It sounds hard and it is!

There are so many people that prey on and take advantage of not only women, but just those that are new to the industry. You could lose hard earned dollars being a victim of these tricksters. Always do your research, and keep both eyes open. If there is something you don’t understand or feel iffy about, do not be afraid to ask for help. Ask a trusted friend or seek legal advice. Even your friend who may not know anything about the music business can tell you when something sounds odd or doesn’t feel right. Trust your instincts and always remember to enter your business dealings with discernment.

Sometimes your whole pie doesn’t come at once. You may get a piece at a time, heck, you may even just be given the ingredients to only make the crust right now and the filling comes later. But whatever you are given use that to the best of your ability, and learn from each scenario – even if you think everything went right. Learn how to make it better.

Poiison – Recording Artist: I would advise any female artist, not just Black women, to have confidence in yourself if you ever come across those type of situations, not to be afraid to walk away. I understand it may seem like the last opportunity, but listen to your gut. Fear is the reason most women get caught up.

Kayanico – Recording Artist/Musician: Stay yourself! Represent what you’re about and represent feminism. Women do it best!

LG – Artist/Songwriter/Actress: Those who never quit are always heard. I think women, especially young African-American women and women in the LGBTQ community have the odds stacked against us because of society’s perception and what they make us out to be. But cream always rises to the top. If you feel you aren’t sexy enough or light enough, the key is not to quit. The key is to never quit!