Their diversity and femininity are the group’s strengths; the traditional and modern are intertwined in their attire and genre-bending fusions, and many of their songs have women-centric lyrics. The band’s latest album, Florecita Rock-ERA, incorporates more electronic instruments into a collection of rock covers and continues to push the boundaries of Mariachi music.

Born in Ivory Coast to Malian parents, Fatoumata Diawara was raised in Mali before moving to Paris to pursue a career in the arts. Her distinctive playing style has made her one of the essential African artists of the day. In a genre dominated by men, Fatoumata Diawara has become the first solo electric guitar player to gain international recognition.

Ana Tijoux is a Chilean rapper, singer, and artist. Born in 1977 in France to parents who fled the Pinochet regime in Chile, Ana Tijoux often raps about her own life experiences, interweaving them with themes like global feminism, anti-colonialism, and indigenous resistance.

I sought to bring music to your ears that would make you dance, think, or feel, or all of the above. Many of the songs I’ve shared are personal favorites or artists with a message, and after 19 Sonic Sundays (formerly known as Music Mondays), these are my top 7 songs from 2021.

Henning May’s deep, raspy voice makes the emotional lyrics of AnnenMayKantereit’s songs all the more poignant. Often they are about deeply personal feelings and sometimes carry a political message.

With a larger platform she was able to inform people about the political and social situation of the Sahrawis; her life’s work was to represent and support her community and culture for future generations, and especially to empower young women.

The trio called Fémina hails from the Patagonian town of San Martín de los Andes in Argentina. Sisters Sofia “Toti” and Clara “Wewi” Trucco and their friend Clara Miglioli combine influences of rap and other genres like reggae, cumbia, and funk with Latin American folk instruments to create a singular sound, inspired by outside influences and their beautiful hometown.

Ileana Cabra Joglar, better known by her stage name iLe, is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and performer. The themes in her music range from love and heartbreak to social commentaries and her Puerto Rican identity. iLevitable transports listeners back to the 20th century with its bolero, bugalú, and mambo. Her second album, Almadura, consists of social commentaries and songs for Puerto Rican resistance.

As a Ghanaian, Juls is adamant that people realize that while Nigerian and particularly Nigerian-British Afropop artists are often the most well-known, Afropop’s influences come from all over the continent. He himself is interested in creating sounds that are pan-African, spanning the continent and diaspora, particularly Jamaican and Caribbean music.

Céu’s lyrics tackle social issues important in Brazil and around the world on top of catchy beats infused with bossa nova, R&B, pop, reggae, jazz, electronica, and more. From her first album, CéU, released in 2005 to now, Céu has demonstrated her impressive range and ability to blend genres and constantly evolve her style.

Christine and the Queens’ first album, Chaleur Humaine, was met with critical acclaim for both the French and English versions, and she headlined at Glastonbury festival in the UK in 2016. Her 2018 album, Chris, undeniably reminiscent of ‘80s pop, is the more upbeat sequel, bursting with sexual energy and heavy on danceable tunes. Her latest EP, La vita nuova, came out in 2020, featuring the single “People, I’ve been sad,” which feels like a perfect song for the feelings we’ve felt during the pandemic.

This band smoothly traverses the boundaries between genre and style, all while keeping their unique vocals and harmonies. The laid-back, casual vibe they bring to their videos and songs makes Perotá Chingó’s music great to listen to on a warm day or while relaxing.