Women have run countries, led justice movements, sent astronauts to the moon, and paved the way for scientific advancements, among countless other accomplishments. Women-owned businesses make up roughly 42% of all U.S. companies, a number that’s expected to continue to grow with time. Spire Agency has the distinct honor of being co-owned by an award-winning and all-around bad-ass woman, Kimberly Tyner. What better way to inspire women around the world than with the beautiful voices working to uplift them?
That’s why Spire’s newest team member, Account Coordinator Ashley Morales, has powered up our newest Spire on Spotify playlist to coincide with Women’s History Month. You’ll want to turn the volume up to 11 with Vol. 21: B2Beyoncé.
So let’s talk with Ashley about her anthemic playlist.
What is the name of your album?
In honor of Spire’s B2B roots and March being Women’s History Month, I named this playlist B2Beyoncé. This playlist predominantly features Beyoncé’s top female empowering hits along with a few friends whose music carry the same messaging.
How would you describe this mix?
I would describe this mix as a female motivating and inspiring conglomerate of songs. The playlist features music from female icons such as Whitney Houston and Diana Ross, to the new- age icons of Alicia Keys and the queen-bee herself, Beyoncé. I couldn’t make a female empowerment playlist without paying homage to some classic girl groups, so you’ll also be hearing hits from Destiny’s Child and TLC.
What was the inspiration behind it?
March has been recognized as Women’s History Month since 1981, celebrating the contributions that women have made to society and various fields of work throughout history. As a woman myself, I know first-hand just how important it is to see inclusivity in the spaces around us and change the status quo of what success looks like.
Since I grew up female in the digital age, I recognize the daily pressures of wishing you looked more like the girls you see dashing across your screen or the harsh words of society analyzing your every fault. That’s why I think it’s more important than ever to band together and inspire one another to embrace our own femininity and love the skin that we’re in. Listening to empowering music that inspires us to love ourselves and settle for nothing less than the best is one of the best ways to lead this charge.
What is your favorite song, and why?
My favorite song from this playlist is Beyoncé’s “Love On Top.” This is my all-time favorite song from her with its upbeat tempo and cheerful lyrics about a woman being in love. Being a hopeless romantic myself, I definitely seek a love that makes me feel empowered and doesn’t stop uplifting me toward my dreams. I love that this song isn’t Beyoncé pining after or wishing that this person would love her back, but rather it’s her presenting to the world a love that is equal and makes her feel like she’s whole.
The lyrics behind this song are meant to excite women to be proud of the love that they offer and to settle for nothing less than someone who puts their love on top. Aside from the lyrics, Beyoncé puts on another stellar performance showing off her powerful vocal range.
If your playlist was a brand, what would it be and why?
If my playlist was a brand, it would be Girl Scout Cookies. Nothing is more enjoyable than a decadent cookie that only comes around every so often, sort of like Women’s History Month. Opening up a new sleeve of cookies offers a burst of excitement and creates a feel-good moment for everyone enjoying them. This playlist was built to create the same euphoric feeling of fulfillment and excitement through smooth harmonies and influential lyrics.
Not only do Girl Scouts sell delicious cookies, but they also represent a brand meant to empower little girls to go out there and conquer the world themselves. The Girl Scouts organization offers a space for girls to practice their entrepreneurial skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, and gain experience working with a group of individuals.
With this playlist I wish to use the voices that inspire me every day to inspire the next generation of little girls to continue to dream big and embrace all that it means to be a unique woman.
Any specific memory that comes to mind when you listen?
This playlist makes me think of all the times that I’ve been in the car with my friends singing these songs at the top of our lungs. There’s something so exhilarating about celebrating your femininity with other women, singing and feeling every lyric together.
What makes your playlist unique?
What makes my playlist unique is that it was made with myself and the women in my life in mind. I included music that my mom would always play growing up and the music that my friends and I listen to when we’re getting ready to go out. Not only does it have these personal touches, but it also can transcend any friend group and any woman wishing to feel empowered and fulfilled in the skin that she’s in.
Thanks, Ashley. Our heads will be shaking, with those tunes in our head, for the rest of the day. Stay tuned to the Spire Blog and Spotify Channel for the release of our next album.