March 8th is International Women's Day but you don't need to remind these five ladies because they are owning shit the other 364 days of the year. Strong opinionated women know how to dominate the mic and get their message heard - and these women are no exception. While each their style is unique, they are all forces of nature that demand your attention.

Nadia Tehran (SWE)

Growing up in a Muslim Iranian family in a small Christian town in the middle of Sweden, Nadia Tehran was seemingly destined to explore the limits and boundaries of personal and political identity - right in the gap between systems and beliefs, belonging nowhere and everywhere equally.  

Ivy Sole (North Carolina)

Sole is the product of the gospel and soul upbringing afforded by her hometown, the mainstream R&B and backpack hip hop of the late 90s and 2000s, and an organic obsession with indie rock that she’s cultivated into a soundscape that's all her own. 

Da Chick (POR)

It’s easy to stumble on the idea that listening to Da Chick is like travelling back in time: maybe to that New York era where Disco and Punk, New Wave and Hip-Hop would cross styles and shake the dance floors. Nothing wrong with that idea: there’s a lot of that classic Boogie spirit, with a strong passion and straightforwardness, a sassy attitude and a groove drinking from the best sources. 

Holiday Sidewinder 

Holiday Sidewinder has been dubbed one of the next pop provocateurs and her “unapologetic thot bop” is a soaring celebration of sexual liberation inviting “undeniable comparisons to Madonna”.

Bbymutha (Tennessee)

Joining Southern rap’s legacy of originality, by choosing local flairs, non-apologetic attitude, & candidly blending life experiences into hard-hitting bars - Bbymutha pointedly brandishes her sexuality in the face of respectability politics & unapologetically celebrating women for their ambition, savvy, sexuality, & vulgarity.

Overgrown, the debut studio album from Ivy Sole, has finally arrived. With earnest lyrics delivered confidently, the rapper/singer hybrid paints authentic portraits in soulfully smooth, uninhibited strokes. Cutting through idealism to reveal realistic circumstances, the artist finds relatable mechanisms, while still expressing personal narratives with a polished, poignant strength. You can catch Ivy Sole’s record release party on Monday, September 24 at World Cafe Live. (Photo by Araba Ankuma)

Directed by The Brothers Ed, the new video for “Rollercoaster” by Ivy Sole immediately catches your eye. The song exhibits the soulful R&B that one has grown to expect from the Philly songwriter. However, the coupling of smooth choreography and the dangerous/graceful bike & ATV stunts depicts the high-levels of ups and downs described in the song through a different context. Lock into the groove, and hold onto your seat. (Photo by Araba Ankuma)

Summertime has come and gone, and fall is upon us. However, those in need of some music therapy can hone in on one place, and make a two-day appointment. This Friday and Saturday, World Café Live hosts the succinctly named Philly Music & Arts Fest. Among the plethora of local artists canvassing both levels, the spellbinding free-floating melodies of Kississippi, the experimental existential-searching of Eric Slick, the serenading surges of Abi Reimold, the cruising, cosmic psych-pop of Ceramic Animal, and the infectious, rumbling emotives of Cayetana. The quintet of Tiny Hueman kicks off the affair on Saturday afternoon with the endearing open-book of Dominic continuing down the line. Familiarity meets futuristic in the groove-spiraling, psych folk of Pine Barons. Exploring personal depths with a robust energetic push, Sports instantly adheres. And the episodic, comforting narratives of Slaughter Beach, Dog and the candidly soulful hip-hop, hybrid observations of Ivy Sole serves as a snapshot of a lineup that offers a solid sampling of the litany of artistic excellence within our city. – Michael Colavita

Other places where the locals will be hanging out this weekend…

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Philly Music Fest: (Upstairs) Slomo Sapiens, Kississippi, Harmony Woods, Abi Reimold, Skull Eclipses, West Philly Orchestra/(Downstairs) Chris Kasper, Eric Slick, Ceramic Animal, Work Drugs Cayetana, SAT Philly Music Fest: (Upstairs) Tiny Hueman, Sea Offs, Dominic, Local Smokes, Shannen Moser, Sports, Ivy Sole New Sound Brass/(Downstairs) Sixteen Jackies, Cheerleader, Pine Barons, Deadfellow, Slaughter Beach Dog, Strand of Oaks, SUN (Upstairs) Jeremiah Tall

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Frances Doefeen, American Trappist, Greg Mendez, SUN Matt Pond PA

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Career Crooks, SAT Phantasm (Release Show)

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI This Way To The Egress (Record Release)/Petunia, Lawn Talk/Philly Soul Syndicate/FeauXX, SAT No Gods, Assayer/Total Discharge/Fame Lust/Labyrinth, DJ Ha, SUN Full Blown Cherry/Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band, Long Hots

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SUN Remote Control

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Burlesque-N- Beyond Presents: Music To Strip Bi

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.)  FRI The Russells, Automatic Colors, Down The Way, SAT Dev79

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Only On Weekends, Saver, Faringwell, SUN Boogieman Dela (Album Release), E. Berrios / Twiceyoung

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI 1AM, Shon Goner, Jermie Falcone, Scottie Kash, SAT Mo Lowda & The Humble, SUN Jim Stephens, Boy Wonder, Xpresidents, Melissa Clampffer

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Long Miles, SAT Soraia (Record Release)

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Muppet's Titanium Stardust Machine, Mercury Retrograde, SUN The Tisburys, Mat Burke & The Pain Killers

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Breathing, House Plant, The Ardvark Felon

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI S.R. Frost & The Sanctuary Band, Samryebread, SAT The End A.D.

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Cozy, Shark Tape, Under This Fire, Stealing Fame, SAT Matt Duke, Greenough+ Wilde

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SUN Conjunto, Ensemble Novo

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT DJ Kevin Kong SUN Burnt Sienna

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SUN You’re Welcome Philadelphia

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SUN Solarized, Callowhill

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT DJ Haram, DJ  Delish, Andre Altrez,  SUN Yowler, Junipur

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Cavity Kids/Sidenail, Kelsey Cork, SUN The Retinas, Tremellow

LAVA Space (4134 Lancaster Ave.) SAT Manikineter, Downtrodder, Disappearances

Double H Ranch (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Loose Tooth, Clique, Yankee Bluff

West, the forthcoming EP from Ivy Sole, will be released on July 26. Its lead single, “Rooftop,” sets up a soulful, mellow beat before moonlight reflects on the victims of police brutality and the ongoing devastation it causes. While exhibiting a concisely sharp sense of lyricism, the track shares the significance of societal concerns in normalizing tragic injustices . There is strength amid the sadness and a desire for change. Ivy Sole will be performing at MilkBoy on August 30 as part of The Key Philly Music showcase.