It’s pretty badass that this list was difficult to narrow down to a consumable number of ladies. Women are killing it right now in the electronic music scene. Not that they weren’t before (re: our first article of this series), but women have really taken the driver’s seat, getting some much-deserved attention. In part two of our Femme EDM: Woman of Electronic Music series, we’re showing love to the very talented ladies that are currently killing it with their progressive beats, epic build-ups, and groovy melodies.

Nina Kraviz

The Russian powerhouse DJ, singer, and producer first burst onto the electronic scene in 2008, playing regularly at Propaganda Club in Moscow. She’s since blown up the scene, releasing a self-titled EP in 2012 and a second, Mr. Jones, in 2012. She has undeniable skills as a techno and tech-house DJ and producer. Known for her tell it like it is personality, she’s been no stranger to controversy. Despite the sexism, misogyny, and suspicion of her skills, Nina Kraviz has busted to the top of the DJ and producer ranks, headlining festivals, playing at the world’s most iconic venues, and collaborating with the biggest names in the industry, all while creating new music.

Alison Wonderland

The pastel-color haired vocalist, producer, and DJ released her debut album Run in 2015 leaving heads spinning in her native Australia, topping charts and going gold. Prior to the release, she gained a following touring with Parklife Music Festival and working as a remixer. She hasn’t always been chillwave, trap, and electropop though. Alison Wonderland (Alexandra Sholler) is a classically trained cellist and played bass in a few local indie bands. Since Run, she has released her second album Awake and several chart-topping singles. In 2018, she made DJ Mag’s list of top 100 DJs. In addition to producing and mixing her own tracks, she is also the lead vocalist. She recently announced via Instagram that at any upcoming shows, she will be playing 90 percent her own music, sassing those who came to hear remixes of “Old Town Road” to find another place to dance.

Peggy Gou

In her signature oversized printed silk shirts, Peggy Gou has quickly become an international superstar. The South Korean, Berlin-based fashion-school graduate never wanted to go with the flow. She started rebelling by sneaking out to late-night London clubs while studying abroad. She nabbed herself a residency at the Book Club in Soho and continued to teach herself how to use Abelton audio software in her free time. Gou had a goal: to be the first female Korean DJ to play at Berlin’s Berghain. Following a move to Berlin, she did exactly that and a few more illustrious gigs, including an NYC Boiler Room debut and performances at almost every cool festival worldwide. 2019 was quite the year for Gou. She was named one of Asia’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and pioneers by Forbes, launched her own clothing label KIRIN, created her own record label Gudu Records, released DJ-Kicks: Peggy Gou, a compilation mix album that became her first to hit the billboard charts, and released her very first music video for “Starry Nights”.

Nicole Moudaber

With a cult-like following, Nicole Moudaber has worked hard to become one of the most esteemed DJs and producers of our day. She isn’t just a techno DJ though. Moudaber works tirelessly, running her own successful record label (MOOD Records), MOOD events, pool parties (MOOD Day), warehouse parties (MOOD Raw), festival stages (MOOD Zone), hosts an incredibly popular radio show, In the MOOD, and still finds the time to give back to society through a variety of philanthropic endeavours. Born of Lebanese descent in Nigeria, she made a name for herself throwing dance parties in Beirut during the 90s. However, it wasn’t until after her move to London that she began to establish herself as a DJ and producer. She quickly caught the eye of Carl Cox who signed her to his label Intec. She’s won numerous awards for both her remixes and original tracks and for the last ten years, has remained one of the most well-respected DJs and producers.

The Blessed Madonna

Marea Stamper, a.k.a. The Blessed Madonna got her start as a teen raver in Kentucky, USA through which she began promoting, working, and eventually djing in the dance music scene. Her residency at SmartBar rocketed her into the spotlight. At the infamous Chicago nightclub, Stamper got to show the world her groovy techno-disco vinyl mixes and win over their hearts with her pure, unadulterated enthusiasm for the music. She credits her mom and step-dad for her good taste. The family-woman is also passionate about challenging the status quo in dance music. She wants to rock the boat, see more over-40 women behind the decks, breastfeeding moms spinning, remove misogyny from dance music culture, and bring inclusivity back to the scene. In the past few years, she has made appearances at the world’s coolest and biggest festivals and she shows no signs of slowing down now.

Charlotte de Witte

Originally known as Raving George, once Charlotte de Witte gave a big middle-fingered goodbye to her male pseudonym, she really made a name for herself. The 27-year-old Flemish DJ got her big break after winning a DJ competition the day after her 18th birthday. Her prize? The chance to play the main stage at Tomorrowland. De Witte’s life changed at that moment. Since then she’s been jet setting around the world, playing to crowds of thousands, at festivals she used to dream of, and rubbing shoulders with the most talented artists and producers in the biz. But Charlotte didn’t rise effortlessly to DJ stardom, she earned it. Her dark techno tracks are raw and intense. In her short career, she’s already landed herself a 6-month residency at BBC Radio 1, a DJ Mag cover, an epic Boiler Room set, and is sitting at number 74 on the Top 100 DJs list. Oh, and she just dropped two new EP’s on her own label KNTXT.

Amelie Lens

Amelie Lens has likely had the quickest rise to stardom we’ve seen from this list of talented ladies. In the past two years, Lens has exploded onto the scene. After leaving her modeling career behind, she earned a residency at Belgium’s Labyrinth Club. It’s there she gained notoriety worldwide. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Lens’s gig that hasn’t completely sold out. Signed to Pan-Pot’s label Second State, she’s released numerous EPs and singles, her most famous being 2017’s Contradiction. Between playing sold-out shows and prime slots at big festivals like Sonar and ADE, she’s also launched her own label LENSKE. The techno titan’s name is everywhere and we don’t see this powerhouse slowing down anytime soon.

Loving the ladies doing it for themselves? Check out the first part of our Femme EDM series: Women of Electronic Music PAST as well as the last part: Women of Electronic Music FUTURE!