Activist and musician Madame Gandhi has made an impact with her music and her mission to celebrate the female voice and acknowledge the importance of female inclusion. Having worked with M. I. A., Lizzo, Calvin Klein, the New York Times, Adidas and Vogue, she has even created her own clothing line. Traveling the world and sharing her inspiring message by encouraging others to make a difference, her musical background as a drummer, digital analyst and MBA from Harvard has only added to her impact as a purveyor of social justice. Fusing her expert skills as a drummer with electronic beats, honestly phrased lyrics and entertaining melodies, this new EP provides another intelligent look at topics often ignored, at personal growth as a woman in this decade and the issues involved when questioning or changing cultural norms.
Addressing the interpretation of self-worth of women, “Waiting For Me” takes a look at the artist’s experiences of human interaction and judgment while seeking out equality. Pointing out the notion of the association of oppression as a defining word for women, Gandhi addresses the definitions used to describe women and how factors used as commonplace descriptors place unnecessary emphasis on the negative. In “Top Knot Turn Up” Gandhi talks about the issue of misogyny in the everyday experience and the time and effort devoted to overcoming it is addressed. The act of “tying up your hair” provides an illustration of the work involved in keeping the “fight of corruption” alive. “Young Indian” tells about the artist’s experiences growing up in New York and her desire to change the world by addressing bullying while providing an alternative view of being on the receiving side. “Bad Habits” looks at the history of women and women’s struggles through the years, while reflecting on areas that can be addressed to make improvements in the current state of society.
Two of the most impactful tracks “Intro Rap” and “Own Your Voice“ provide a perspective that is not only refreshing and insightful, but sets the tone for most of the album as it looks at the media and political influences contradicting themselves. Discussing the confusion surrounding these contradictions and the appropriation of the female voice and female form by these two institutions. The album is packed with lovely interludes of drum sequences along with transformative lyrics that address the social issues faced by a modern iconoclast. The fusion of Indian culture and EDM creates a fresh approach in dissecting the modern experiences and realization of women in 2019.
Listen to Madame Gandhi’s Visions EP below, and see what you think of our Women Crush Wednesday!
Madame Gandhi’s West Coast December Tour 2019 is with Milck, SassyBlack, and Jarina de Marco. Tickets are on sale now, here.
Listen to Madame Gandhi’s Ted Talk here for more inspiration from this simply phenomenal feminist icon.
*Featured image via Kourtney Jackson
