From Blackpink’s ‘Typa Girl’ to Yuna’s ‘Likes’, here are 10 songs by Asian women that celebrate womanhood

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the Front & Female team has picked the ultimate list of empowering anthems that honour womanhood in all its glory

Women’s achievements are cause for celebration, and female musicians know how to raise a toast to that through their music. Over the past years, numerous women from all around Asia have taken over the music industry, and have shared songs inspired by their everyday life, joys and hardships. While some of their art appeal to the general public, many experiences are specific to the female experience—and women empowerment is one of them.

From K-pop musicians Blackpink and Lim Kim to Hong Kong musician Janice Vidal and Chinese rapper Lexie Liu, Front & Female has selected ten songs by ten Asian women who sing about the multifaceted experiences and the inherent power of womanhood.

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1. ‘Likes’ by Yuna

Malaysian award-winning singer Yuna, who sings mostly in English and plays the guitar too, has built her reputation as a trailblazer in the music scene for over a decade. Having broken into the music scene as Pharrell William’s protégé in 2012, she has been long advocating for tolerance and better representation of Asian women in the global entertainment industry.

Yuna has released many songs touching on women empowerment over the years. But the seventh song in her album Red (2019), called Likes, really stands out for its unique take on the scrutiny that Muslim women constantly face. In it, she explores and denounces the judgment she faces as a Muslim woman who wears a veil and offers an alternative narrative that is often silenced by society.

2. ‘Yellow’ by Lim Kim

“Break domes of male dominance. We yellow, yellow, yellow, yellow. Who’s the fucking queen?” These words in Lim Kim’s Yellow champion women’s power loud and clear.

The K-pop idol turned indie singer marked her expected comeback into the music industry in 2019 with this satirical song where she challenges the sexualisation and objectification that Asian women have historically been facing. By alluding to the colour ‘yellow’, she subverts the racist stereotype of associating East Asians’ skin colour as yellow, and urges Asian women to embrace their identity.

3. ‘Whatchu Gonna…?’ by 9m88

Taiwanese artist 9m88’s fusion of jazz and Mando-pop has created a genre where female empowerment and sorority bloom freely. In Whatchu Gonna…? (2022), she explores the end of a romantic relationship, and highlights how female friendships can support one in this period. Sisterhood is also at the heart of the music video, which sees the singer surrounded by female friends who help tidy up the mess—both literally and figuratively.

4. ‘Mulan’ by Lexie Liu

Lexie Liu, the female rapper who has singlehandedly taken the Chinese music industry, by storm, shows how to champion women’s causes through her music and lyrics.

In Liu’s first album 2030, which was released in 2019, there’s a song called Mulan, inspired by the story of the legendary Chinese warrior, Hua Mulan, who is known to have taken her aged father’s place in the army by disguising herself as a man. In the song, Liu explores themes of bravery, sacrifice and gender equality. By comparing herself to Mulan, the artist puts emphasis on female strength and determination.

5. ‘Queendom’ by Awich

The introspective lead song, Queendom, in Awich’s first album is the story of her own life. She explores the challenges she had to go through as a woman, a wife, and a single mother, to arrive where she is today: at the top of Japanese rapping scene. Her vulnerability shows in the music video, in which she incorporated personal videos from her late husband, as well as her daughter.

6. ‘A Night to Remember’ by Beabadoobee (ft. Laufey)

Filipino indie rock artist Beabadoobee and jazz singer Laufey of Icelandic-Chinese heritage have impacted their own music scenes independently. But the marriage of their two genres in A Night to Remember has truly created a one-of-a-kind song. As described by Laufey in a press statement, the collaboration was meant to reflect on the “‘many songs about being rejected as a woman” and show that an alternative narrative is possible: “having one great night and then walking away”. This song offers refreshing perspective on casual romance, and celebrates a strong sense of independent femininity.

7. ‘Sudpang!’ by Milli

Milli, whose real name is Danupha Khanatheerakul, is bringing Thai hip-hop to the global stage with her raw lyrics, refreshing persona and hunger for social justice. On Sudpang!, released in 2020, the musician celebrates self-worth, self-confidence and feminine beauty. The message: women don’t need validation from others, and can embrace their own unique beauty.

8. ‘Stronger’ by Raveena

For Indian American singer Raveena, songwriting has always been a therapeutic process. That’s why her songs, tinted with vulnerability, allow both her and her listeners to process deep emotions. Taken from her album Lucid (2019), Stronger is a soft but cathartic song where the singer reflects on a toxic relationship, realising how strong she is when she takes her power back.

9. ‘Be Still’ by Janice Vidal

Canto-pop singer Janice Vidal banded together a team of creative women in her album Daughter (2022). In her song Be Still, she addresses sexual harassment, which Vidal says in an interview with Tatler that a lot of friends have gone through. “They don’t feel comfortable talking about it,” she says. “It’s a very traumatising thing, but it happens in this world. So I really [wanted this song] to [give voice to the victims], to acknowledge that pain and to bring healing.”

10. ‘Typa Girl’ by Blackpink

K-pop girl band Blackpink has been exploring themes of self-confidence and female independence. In Typa Girl, from their latest album Born Pink (2022), Rosé, Lisa, Jennie and Jisoo encourage women to be the empowered “type of girl”, who brings money to the table, and doesn’t settle for less than they deserve.

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Topics

Women Music Asia Empowerment Songs

Tatler Asia

10 songs by Asian women that celebrate womanhood: Blackpink’s ‘Typa Girl’, Yuna’s ‘Likes’ and more