Whether it’s electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani, GRAMMY-winning mastering legend Emily Lazar, or Sylvia Robinson (a.k.a. the hip hop icon who founded Sugar Hill Records), women have always been at the forefront of the music industry.
This International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting some of the top women revolutionizing the music industry in hopes to inspire more women to pursue a career in music. Watch the video above for eight timeless music production and sound design tips that’ll help you level up as a music creator, and learn more about these top female producers and support their packs on Splice below.
1. NOVA Wav
The GRAMMY-winning production team comprised of Denisia “Blu June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi” Coney, NOVA WAV have produced for the likes of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and Kehlani, among countless others.
Go to 00:09 in the video to learn how to collaborate and achieve an authentic sound from NOVA Wav, and check out their Girls Do It Better pack to incorporate their sounds into your own music.
2. SEIDS
Sabrina Seidman (SEIDS) is a singer, songwriter, producer, content creator, and educator. She has built a global community of over 200K followers, sold hundreds of tickets to virtual classes, and worked with more music brands than we can list.
Go to 02:01 in the video to learn about the importance of humanizing drums from SEIDS, and also check out her full tutorial for Logic Pro tips, shortcuts, and workflow hacks.
3. Madame Gandhi
Madame Gandhi is an artist and activist whose mission is to celebrate gender liberation. She has toured on the drums for the likes of M.I.A. and Thievery Corporation, and her math-y percussion and inspiring talks have been critically acclaimed by major platforms including The New York Times, Billboard, and NPR.
Go to 3:32 in the video to learn about sustaining inspiration from Madame Gandhi, and check out the Madame Gandhi x Sound MANA sample pack to incorporate her sounds into your music.
4. Chrissy Tignor
Chrissy Tignor (a.k.a. Data Child) is an audio engineer, music producer, and teacher with a passion for audio education. Chrissy is also a Senior Content Strategist here at Splice, and you can find more music production tips and tricks from her on this very blog.
Go to 6:06 in the video to learn about the art of creating harmonies with MIDI from Chrissy Tignor.
5. UNIIQU3
A pioneer in the Jersey club movement, UNIIQU3 has solidified herself as one of the most electrifying producers in the game. From throwing some of Jersey’s hottest DIY events like her signature #135theParty to spreading Jersey club across the globe, UNIIQU3 leaves her mark wherever she goes.
Go to 10:53 in the video to learn about how to experiment with field recordings from UNIIQU3, and check out her Clubhead Kit Vol. 1 sample pack to incorporate her sounds into your music.
6. WondaGurl
WondaGurl’s story is inspiring for more than a couple of reasons. You might know her as the girl who produced Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have my Money” when she was just 17, but what you probably don’t know is that she’s the youngest black female producer to go platinum, she’s one of the hardest working people in the industry, and she’s just getting started. WondaGurl has also produced singles with Lil Uzi Vert, Big Sean, Rich The Kid, Don Toliver, Future, Eminem, Rihanna, and Drake—just to name a few.
Go to 12:14 in the video to learn about the art of drawing inspiration from your favorite producers from WondaGurl, and check out the WondaGurl Sample Pack to incorporate her signature sounds into your own tracks.
7. Jenna Andrews
Singer, songwriter, and record producer Jenna Andrews knows the world of pop vocal production better than anyone else. She has collaborated alongside the likes of BTS, Jessie J, Tori Kelly, and Drake, and her passion for crafting the best vocals possible is apparent in every project she touches.
Go to 13:44 in the video to hear Jenna Andrews’ tips on using vocal layers to enhance your music, and learn more via her full tutorial video.
8. Syd
From collaborating with Beyoncé to shooting content for GQ, Syd is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, creative director, and entrepreneur who has seemingly done it all. Her latest album Broken Hearts Club was acclaimed by critics and fans alike, featuring stripped but bold arrangements and features from the likes of Kehlani, Lucky Daye, and Smino.
Go to 16:08 in the video to learn about defining your creative identity from Syd, and explore her signature sounds via her Heartfelt sample pack.
Which female icon has inspired your music? Let us know in the comments section of the video.
Find inspiration for your next track with samples from our Pay It Forward Collection that celebrate women and non-binary creators making their mark on the music industry:
March 8, 2023