5 House Music Female Artists You Need to Know
There’s no doubt that the house music scene is dominated by men. But there are plenty of talented female artists out there making some incredible music. Here are five of the best that you need to know about.
DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff, aka Jeffrey Allen Townes, is a legendary hip hop and R&B DJ, producer, and actor. He is best known for his work with Will Smith as half of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. The two men met while students at Philadelphia’s Overbrook High School and quickly bonded over their shared love of music. They began deejaying parties and school dances together, and soon they were performing at local clubs. In 1986, they released their first single, “Girls Ain’t Nothing but Trouble,” which became a hit on the R&B charts.
Nowadays, DJ Jazzy Jeff tours the world as a solo artist, with a focus on house music. He has released several mix CDs and solo albums, including 2013’s House Party. He has also collaborated with a number of other house music artists, including Barbara Tucker, Lisa Shaw, Robert Owens, and Shola Ama.
Nervo
Nervo is an Australian sisters duo, Olivia and Miriam Nervo, who write and produce music. They are also DJs, singers, and songwriters. The sisters were born in Melbourne to Italian parents. They grew up listening to electronic music and attending raves. In their late teens, they began writing songs together. In 2006, they signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and relocated to Los Angeles. In 2008, they co-wrote the Pussycat Dolls hit “When I Grow Up”, which earned them a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording.
The sisters began working on their debut album in 2010. In 2011, they released their first single “This Kind of Love”. The album was shelved indefinitely and the sisters focused on writing and producing for other artists. In 2013, they wrote the Miley Cyrus song “We Can’t Stop”, which became a number-one hit in the United States. Nervo has written songs for Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, Rita Ora, Flo Rida, Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, and Afrojack.
Alison Wonderland
Alison Wonderland is an Australian DJ, producer, and singer who first made waves in the electronic music scene with the release of her debut album Run in 2015. Since then, she’s gone on to play some of the biggest festivals in the world, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Tomorrowland. Her unique blend of trap, house, and EDM has made her one of the most sought-after DJs in the scene today.
Born in Sydney to a musical family—her mother was a classical pianist and her father was a drummer—Alison Wonderland showed an early interest in music. She began playing the violin at age four and later added piano and guitar to her repertoire. As a teenager, she started experimenting with production software and soon began making her own tracks.
In 2012, Alison Wonderland self-released her first EP, Get Ready!, which caught the attention of major labels. She signed with Astralwerks/EMI Australia and released her debut album Run in 2015. The album spawned the singles “U Don’t Know” and “Games,” both of which received heavy airplay on Australian radio.
Since then, Alison Wonderland has gone on to play some of the biggest festivals in the world, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Tomorrowland, and Ultra Music Festival. In 2018, she made history as the first female artist to headline Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. She’s also released a number of successful singles, including “I Want U,” “Cold,” and “Peace.”
Alison Wonderland is one of the most exciting DJs in the electronic music scene today. If you’re a fan of house music or EDM, be sure to check out her latest releases.
Nicole Moudaber
Nicole Moudaber is a Lebanese-born, London-based DJ and producer who is widely considered to be one of the leading figures in the techno and house music scenes. She is the founder of the Mood Records label and has released numerous EPs and albums, both solo and in collaboration with other artists. Moudaber is also a regular headliner at major music festivals around the world, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and Electric Daisy Carnival.
Peggy Gou
Peggy Gou is a Korean DJ and producer who has been making waves in the house music scene. She is known for her unique style which blends elements of tech house, deep house, and acid house. Her track “It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)” was named Best Dance Recording at the 2018 Grammy Awards.
Born in South Korea, Peggy Gou began her DJ career while living in Berlin. She quickly gained popularity for her eclective sets which often incorporated elements of different genres. In 2017, she released her debut EP Once, which received critical acclaim. She has since released several more EPs and singles, including “Starry Night” and “Starry Night (Jaegermeister remix)”.
Peggy Gou is one of the most exciting new talents in house music. With her unique style and ability to blend different genres, she is sure to continue to innovate and surprise fans with her music.