Girl groups have quite literally changed the world, and we love them for that.
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Everyone nowadays has someone they stan. More often than not, girl groups are part of that roster. Whenever I find a girl group I love, I hold onto them. For each stage of my life, I can recall when a specific girl group took over pop culture at the time. As a child, groups like the Pussycat Dolls dominated the radio. As I got older, Fifth Harmony and Little Mix had their time in the spotlight. Now, groups from all over the globe are having their moment to shine. From K-pop to P-pop and beyond (in the wise words of LE SSERAFIM), all the girls are girling-girling!Â
With March being Women’s Month, it’s only right to express our love for the ladies who give more than just music. They show us the beauty of women maximizing their joint serve. With their talent, they give us heavenly vocals, electric moves, and performances that we keep watching over and over again. To the untrained ear, girl group music might sound generic, but the best of them have given us bops and lyrics that speak to the experiences of and resonate with generations of women, especially teenagers and young adults who feel seen and heard through these groups. Girl groups speak to an experience only us women can relate to when it comes to understanding and appreciating womanhood in all its forms.Â
They deliver in every decade, genre, and part of the world, and we love them for that. For now and forever, we’re here to celebrate why they keep us listening.
THEY’RE TOTAL FASHION ICONS
Girl groups have given us fashion moments that live in our heads rent-free. From the red carpet to the main stage, their looks have truly left an impact. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got a few pictures of your faves saved on your Pinterest board to recreate (bonus points if you do it with your besties). Fashion has always allowed girl groups to brand and express themselves, giving us iconic looks we’ve continued to gag over for years.
For example, many people of all ages still love the iconic outfits of the Spice Girls. Each one had a distinct aesthetic to match their personality. We know you and your barkada would love to unlock your inner Ginger Spice and wear that Union Jack dress.
Speaking of recreating outfits, girl groups are also trendsetters. Remember when BLACKPINK was the face of the Girl Crush concept? Everyone was out here trying to be the fifth member. It was definitely an era. Girl groups, from Destiny’s Child to Sexbomb Girls and more, continue to inspire and influence us with their looks. These women know how to make a fashion statement, and we’re always happy to eat it up every single time.
REPRESENTING THE CULTURE
Music has always been diverse, and it only makes sense that international girl groups would eventually take over. For genres such as P-pop and K-pop, many girl groups use their music and visuals to honor their culture and where they come from. Especially for non-western groups, being able to highlight their home country (especially on international stages) makes for a special moment. There’s just something so great about seeing authentic and genuine representation that isn’t whitewashed to service a certain market.
Groups such as KATSEYE have highlighted the importance of representing their different cultures. We all know that K-pop has practically taken over the world, and many girl groups have repped Korean culture into their music and artistry for the world to appreciate. When it comes to P-pop, groups like BINI, G22, KAIA, and more have gained global recognition through the years, and we can’t help but be proud, especially when they use their platforms to spotlight Filipino talent and culture to the world.
Being able to witness our favorite members be proud of their roots is something that has inspired fans around the world. And let’s not forget the communities, friendships, and safe spaces these groups have built among fandoms and beyond.
THEY MAKE HISTORY (LITERALLY)
Some might roll their eyes when someone says, “This made history” about an artist, but it rings true for our favorite girl groups. Groups like The Chordettes and The Supremes broke through during the 50s and 60s when men mostly led the music industry. Girl groups have also stood up for many causes, making them icons to look up to. Different girl groups have made it clear that they stand for various causes.
From supporting the LGBTQIA+ community to being vocal about women’s rights, their voices are heard beyond their music. In an industry that can still lean towards male-centric tendencies or pit women against each other, girl groups give us a safe space to unapologetically be a girl. And the best part? There are all kinds of girl groups out there for your preference, whether it be pop, hip-hop, rock, and everything in between.
They also keep setting records within the music industry. Some examples include the Spice Girls still being the best-selling girl group in the world, selling about 100 million records. For our local girl groups, BINI has been awarded multiple times for reaching different achievements, such as being the top artist in the Philippines in 2024. These moments prove that women have the power to move every industry they’re in, and for that, we’re eternally grateful.
TO THE GIRL GROUPS OF OUR LIVES
Some people might see girl groups as something unserious or artificial. Perhaps some people can’t take them seriously for how manufactured they can come across, but girl groups genuinely represent everything we love. Girl groups are responsible for giving us some of the best music out there and representing the best parts of womanhood. They show us the power of being a woman, and they contribute great art and make waves in the world. Not only do they reflect the current pop culture conversation, they can even define it with their artistry and craft, and often for the better.
With more and more girl groups debuting, it proves that people are still ready to support the girls, setting out to make their dreams come true, and we’re more than ready to love them, too. So to all the girl groups I stan, thank you for making me, me. Thank you for filling my playlists with bops, cheering me up during my down days, boosting my spirits with my besties, being the soundtrack to my adventures, making me learn something new about myself, and helping me navigate the world a little bit better.Â
Continue Reading: How To Tap Into Your Inner Divine Feminine Energy This Women’s Month
