Widely considered a feminist icon, Grammy winner Ani DiFranco is the mother of the DIY movement, being one of the first artists to create her own record label in 1990.
While she has been known as the “Little Folksinger,” her music has embraced punk, funk, hip hop, jazz, soul, electronica and even more distant sounds. Her collaborators have included everyone from Utah Phillips to legendary R&B saxophonist Maceo Parker to Prince.
Ani DiFranco has shared stages with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Kris Kristofferson, Greg Brown, Billy Bragg, Michael Franti, Chuck D., and many more. Her most recent album Binary was released in June 2017 on Righteous Babe Records and her memoir No Walls and the Recurring Dream was released in May 2019 by Viking Books.
Rejecting the major label system, Ani DiFranco has referenced her staunchly-held independence (and the accompanying creative freedom) in song more than once, including in “The Million You Never Made” (Not a Pretty Girl), which discusses the act of turning down a lucrative contract.
“The Next Big Thing” (Not So Soft), which describes an imagined meeting with a label head-hunter who evaluates the singer based on her looks, and “Napoleon” (Dilate), which sympathizes sarcastically with an unnamed friend who did sign with a label. After recording with Ani in 1999, Prince described the effects of her independence.
“We jammed for four hours and she danced the whole time. We had to quit because she wore us out. After being with her, it dawned on me why she’s like that – she’s never had a ceiling over her.”
Her lyrics are rhythmic and poetic, often autobiographical, and strongly political. “Trickle Down” discusses racism and gentrification, while “To The Teeth” speaks about the need for gun control, and “In or Out” questions society’s traditional sexuality labels.
Her 2016 single “Play God” has become a battle cry for reproductive rights. Rolling Stone said of her in 2012, “The world needs more radicals like Ani DiFranco: wry, sexy, as committed to beauty and joy as revolution.”
Over the years she’s performed at countless benefit concerts, donated songs to many charity albums, and given time and energy to many progressive causes. She has learned from and demonstrated beside Gloria Steinem, Jesse Jackson and Dennis Kucinich. In 2004, she marched in the front row of the March for Women’s Lives along with Margaret Cho, Janeane Garofalo, Whoopi Goldberg, and many others, later performing on the main stage.
Ani DiFranco has beaten the drum for voter registration and turnout with “Vote Dammit” tours in multiple presidential election years, including most recently in 2016. She’s currently on the board of Roots of Music, an organization that provides at-risk youth with support and musical education in New Orleans, and the creative council of EMILY’s List, which helps elect pro-choice Democratic women to office.
As a songwriter and social activist, she has been the inspiration for woman artists and entrepreneurs for over two decades. Featured on the covers of SPIN, Ms., Relix, High Times, and many others for her music and activism.
Ani DiFranco is the idol of empowered women who came of age in the 90s and continues to bring younger fans into her fold. From Alice Walker to Amy Schumer, Ani is respected by wordsmiths across milieux and generations.
She blazed the trail for self-directed artist careers and has been cited by musicians from Prince to Bon Iver as an inspiration to release their own art outside of the major label system.
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Nichole Pitts is a visionary leader, strategist, and advocate for ethical business practices and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. As the founder and CEO of Ethintegrity, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, helping clients navigate the intricate landscape of ethics, compliance, and DEI with finesse and innovation. Nichole is […]
Michael Tchong unique approach to decoding the future has positioned him as a preeminent trend-spotter and an influential figure in the realms of technology and entrepreneurship. With a distinct passion for staying ahead of emerging waves, Michael has established four successful startups, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective industries. His unwavering advocacy for […]
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Danica Patrick has become a global icon, not just in the world of motorsports but also as a symbol of determination, bold ambition, and female empowerment. Her journey from a ten-year-old girl with a dream to an internationally recognized race car driver has captivated millions. With her groundbreaking career in IndyCar and NASCAR, she shattered […]
Kate Fagan is a celebrated ESPN host, author, and keynote speaker who shines a spotlight on crucial topics within the sports world. Known for her engaging storytelling and insightful commentary, she has a remarkable ability to connect with audiences on a deep level, using her experience as both a former collegiate athlete and a prominent […]
Dr. Anne Harbison is an executive leadership educator known for her work with some of the world’s greatest organizations and thought leaders. Beginning her career in Brand Management at Procter & Gamble, she then served as a management consultant specializing in organizational change and learning. Anne was a Principal Strategic Consultant in Gallup’s executive leadership practice, […]
Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal, MD, is a clinician-educator and Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco. He sees patients and teaches medical students and residents in the emergency department, inpatient wards, and outpatient clinic at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, where he directs the internal medicine clerkship. He studies, writes, and speaks […]
Keelan Leyser is a world-renowned illusionist and master of digital magic, redefining the boundaries of modern entertainment. Blending cutting-edge technology with mind-blowing illusions, Keelan has captivated audiences in over 60 countries, earning his place as one of the most innovative performers in the world of magic. With his engaging stage presence and astonishing skill, Keelan […]
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