Amazon Music unveiled “Shine Their Light,” a new lineup of content to highlight women who are breaking down barriers in music. All month long, Amazon Music will release special programming, ranging from an exclusive livestream in collaboration with Femme It Forward—a women-led music and entertainment company that empowers creative and accomplished women visionaries—to new Amazon Original music by women who are rising to diversify the stage. In addition, on March 18, Amazon Music will launch “R&B Rotation Radio” in DJ Mode, a personalized station hosted by creator Gia Peppers. The new station will feature special guests who will provide fans with anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from their careers and music.
Exclusive Livestream of Big Femme Energy Live and Release of The Making of Big Femme Energy Short Film
Sharing a message of autonomy and resilience, Amazon Music has teamed up with Femme It Forward to celebrate the accomplishments of women in entertainment, both onstage and behind the scenes. Following the successful debut of last year’s Big Femme Energy Vol. 1, an all-female compilation album, Femme It Forward will host the Big Femme Energy Live experience on March 24 live from Los Angeles’ Belasco Theater. Amazon Music fans will get to experience an evening of live performances by a soon to be announced headliner, Ambré, Baby Rose, SAYGRACE, and Mapy, all backed by an all-women symphony orchestra. Fans can participate in the Big Femme Energy Live experience exclusively on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch starting at 7 p.m. PST.
Following the Big Femme Energy Live experience, fans can go even deeper with The Making of Big Femme Energy, a 15-minute documentary featuring artist interviews and behind-the-scenes footage detailing how the Big Femme Energy album and tour came together. The Making of Big Femme Energy will be released on here and on the Amazon Music app on March 29.
“With March being the time of year when people celebrate women’s contributions to society, we decided that now would be a great time to release The Making of Big Femme Energy. While creating the album, it became evident that we, as women, make up the fabric of the entertainment industry. However, when it comes down to owning and distributing works of art, we oftentimes face barriers that our male counterparts do not,” said Heather Lowery, president and CEO of Femme It Forward. “Viewers will get a firsthand look into the blood, sweat, and many tears that went into making something seemingly as simple as an all-women compilation album. Our hope is that after viewing the film and tuning into the Big Femme Energy Live experience on March 24 with Amazon Music, we’ll move beyond just celebrating women once a year and truly start to recognize the benefits that we provide to the industry through our dedication, hard work, and creativity on a daily basis.”
Never-Before-Heard Amazon Originals From Rising Trailblazers
Beginning today, a slate of new Amazon Original songs from global artists will launch each week, starting with a special cover from rising pop sensation and Amazon Music Breakthrough Artist Remi Wolf. Her cover of Kali Uchis’ “telepatía” marks the first time Wolf has recorded in both English and Spanish. On March 11, R&B singer LAYA releases her Amazon Original cover of the Missy Elliott hit “Sock It 2 Me.” Throughout the month, fans can expect more exclusive releases - hear Morgan Wade’s put-it-all-out-there take on her personal shero Miley Cyrus’ “Bad Karma,”and Emmy Meli’s cover of Norah Jones’ “Seven Years.”
One of the leading ladies of Regional Mexican music, Ana Bárbara marks the 10th anniversary of singer Jenni Rivera’s death with a cover of her hit “Yo Soy una Mujer” (I am a Woman), out on March 11. In Colombia, 10 of the most relevant women artists from independent label MusicHER —Lunalé, Juliana Velásquez, Pilar Cabrera, Sabi Satizábal, Maria McCausland, Maria Cristina Plata, Paula van Hissenhoven, Brina Quoya, Natalia Medina, and Nicole Hernández—unite for a historic track titled “De Fuego,” which showcases how music can be an agent of change and awareness. The track will be accompanied by a video, which will launch on March 8 here.
In the UK, emerging rock duo Nova Twins have recorded an exclusive version of their recent single “K.M.B.” at the iconic Metropolis Studios. Additionally, rising R&B star Tamera has reimagined the classic “Killing Me Softly” to celebrate International Women’s Day. And in Germany, Swiss pop-singer and songwriter ILIRA will release a reimagined version of Marina’s soaring pop anthem “Man’s World” on March 18. Listeners can find these new Original tracks and more from some of our favorite new women artists on The New Trailblazers playlist.
"Shine Their Light” Short Films, Videos, and Livestreams
Amazon Music LAT!N shines a light on Afro-Latina artist Mabiland through an editorial video featuring the singer in her native Colombia, available here. Mabiland opens up about her roots, her mission to be authentic and uplift her community, and using her voice as a weapon against injustice. In Mexico, singer-actress Karol Sevilla interviews actress Sandra Echeverria, and singer Melissa Robles from pop band Matisse and singer Salma share their perspectives on the female footprint in the Mexican music industry on March 17 and March 24, respectively. Rompe artists Las Villa answer fan questions in a video out today on the Amazon Music app, followed by Ingratax on March 10. In Brazil, singers and songwriters Marina Lima, Vanessa da Mata, Sandra de Sá, Fernanda Abreu, Anastácia, Joyce Moreno, Fernanda Takai, and Monique Kessous are spotlighted in a short film that will premiere on March 22. All women will participate in a roundtable livestream on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch March 22 at 8 p.m. local time. On March 8 at 8 p.m. local time, the Poder Femenino playlist comes to life via a livestream on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, featuring leading women musicians from various genres, including sertanejo artists Maiara & Maraisa, pop singer Luísa Sonza, and funk talent Rebecca. All videos will be available here and on the Amazon Music app.
“Alexa, Play ‘R&B Rotation’ in DJ Mode”
Rotation, Amazon Music’s global hip-hop/R&B brand, is bringing women R&B singers to the forefront with the launch of “R&B Rotation Radio” in DJ Mode on March 18. The on-demand listening experience features personalized, hosted stations with featured artists, and music experts who share captivating anecdotes and new music recommendations. By simply asking, “Alexa, play ‘R&B Rotation’ in DJ Mode,” fans will be directed to the brand-new station, hosted by entertainment journalist and creator Gia Peppers, to listen, discover, and engage in all things R&B.
About The Making of Big Femme Energy Documentary
The Making of Big Femme Energy takes us behind the scenes of the making of Femme It Forward’s historic all-female compilation album, Big Femme Energy Vol. 1. In this 15-minute film, viewers will get a firsthand look into the collaborative process, including working with an all-female team, to create an authentic and celebratory work of art and the immense pressure facing women both onstage and behind the scenes in a male-dominated industry. Featuring commentary from musicians Sinéad Harnett, Lauren Jauregui, Kiana Ledé, Muni Long, Tayla Parx, Rapsody, SAYGRACE, director Annie Bercy, recording engineer Marcella “Ms. Lago” Araica, Femme It Forward CEO Heather Lowery, and many others, The Making of Big Femme Energy is truly a celebration of women in music and entertainment.
