With the last decade, several new musical acts sprung up all around the world and while many a one-time hit was spawned; some names appear here to stay. Instep is pleased to report that many of these names include women who have made their mark within music and otherwise.
Gwen Stefani
 With her trademark platinum hair and striking red lipstick, Gwen Stefani first became visible as a vocalist for rock band No Doubt in the '90s. Gwen often looked like Madonna as a '40s rock chick (if there was ever such a thing!) and sounded even better.
Even though back in '96 No Doubt was named one of the worst bands by a notable magazine and failed to really impress anyone after 2000's Return of Saturn, Gwen managed to carve a favourable niche for herself with singles like 'Simple Kind Of Life' and 'Hey Baby' from 2001's Rock Steady.
Apart from her accomplishments in music (she went solo on 2004's Love. Angel. Music. Baby while her last solo album Sweet Escape wasn't all that successful) it is actually just the whole Gwen Stefani package that is kind of awe-inspiring. Not only is she beautiful and amazingly lean despite having a baby, she's married to the guy who sang 'Glycerine' and 'Adrenaline', Gavin Rossdale. And she is a shrewd businesswoman with her fashion line L.A.M.B - and she got spoofed on the Simpsons for 'Hollaback Girl'! If that isn't well-rounded success, we don't know what is!
Beyonce Knowles
 Part of girly band Destiny's Child in the early '00s, Beyonce struck out on her own around 2002. While she has an awesome voice and cuts records that are bound to be commercial successes; once again, Beyonce is one of those women who have built their public image in carefully thought-out steps.
Dangerously In Love (2003) presented Beyonce in a more risqué light than her Destiny's Child ventures. Beyonce appeared in 2006 film Dreamgirls which inspired her music for B'Day, her next album. The album spawned the crazy-infectious track 'Irreplaceable' which had more impressionable minds saying things like "I could have another you in a minute" and "you must not know 'bout me", with a straight face. Good times.
Beyonce's appeal lies in the fact that she is feminine and sexy but not skanky; which is a trap easy for young pop divas to fall into (we're looking at you Britney Spears).
Also cashing in her success while she can, Beyonce owns fashion line House of Dereon, which makes classy/ saucy outfits; very much like Beyonce herself.
With nine Grammy nods to her credit with I am…Sasha Fierce (2009), and husband Jay-Z, Beyonce could easily be spokesperson for women who want it all.
Shakira
 While Shakira doesn't really need to be in any lists to ascertain that she is one of the hottest things to emerge in music in the last decade, since she has thousands and thousands of people dancing to her beat; she has to be mentioned if only for our peace of mind.
Where does one begin? Shakira was a scary Alanis-like singer in the late '90s (brunette dreads in place), but come end-2001, and Shakira emerged with flowing blonde locks, uncanny dance moves (how does she manipulate her body like that without breaking it?!) and the hit single 'Whenever, Wherever'. Come summer '02, and Shakira once more enthralled people with 'Underneath Your Clothes', the popularity of her singles making it impossible for even her worst critics to avoid her music.
While 'La Tortura' a single from her 2005 album Oral Fixation Vol 1 got immense airplay – it was really when 2006 single 'Hips Don't Lie' hit the airwaves that the message became clearer than ever: Shakira is not going anywhere.
With 2009 came Shakira's album Shewolf, which is receiving great reviews. But Shakira's worth cannot be judged by her commercial successes alone; she ha been heavily involved in charity work for education and help of victims of natural disasters. She was also asked by Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez to contribute to the soundtrack for the film adaptation of Love in the Time of Cholera.
Rihanna
 'Pon De Replay', Rihanna's 2005 hit single from the album Music Of The Sun is one of those songs that just sticks, though not for any musical merit, but because it got so much airplay.
In 2007 Rihanna emerged with 'Umbrella' which resulted in the following: a special line of promotional umbrellas, numerous remixes including the 'Umbrella (Cinderella Remix)' with then boyfriend Chris Brown and rumours that Jay-Z was now making her the new Beyonce on all sorts of levels.
2009 for Rihanna was all about the assault she suffered at the hands of Chris Brown earlier in the year and as the day for her new album, Rated R drew to a close; she finally spoke up about the incident, waging a personal vendetta against the issue of abuse in relationships.
Rihanna, like many other stars is involved in charity ventures to support causes like terminally ill children and AIDS.
The face of many brands over her career, including Gucci, Rihanna is joining ranks with other women of acquired substance in the industry.
Katy Perry /Lady Gaga
 The raunchily shocking, young face of music Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, though different in styles of music, employed similar methods to gain attention at first. Or maybe not – as Katy got herself a nod from Madonna with Internet release 'Ur So Gay' and Lady Gaga worked the club circuit a while before making the big time.
Lady Gaga is completely outrageous as an entity, with everything from rock band Queen to fashion being her musical influences. Katy Perry shot to mainstream fame with outrageous single 'I Kissed A Girl'.
Lady Gaga has of late been speaking of the blue phase in her life encompassing the last year that she has spent touring and the influence it had on her new album The Fame Ball – and Katy Perry has been making waves with her relationship with comedian Russell Brand, and more recently alleged romance with Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson.
While both have their own qualities of music; one can't help but think that what works most for both Katy Perry and Lady Gaga is the shock value they infuse anything they do with.
-- Amina Baig |
