WHAT IT IS: With Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill among her idols, it’s no surprise Emmy Meli has become a modern mouthpiece for contemporary feminism. Inspired by a recent dream, the Torrance, Cal., native scribbled down the lyrics of “I AM WOMAN” while holding down jobs including serving tables and delivering drinks on a golf course. The female-empowerment anthem—not to be confused with the Helen Reddy chestnut of the same name—took off on TikTok and has since amassed 120m+ global streams. Coupling a powerful message with vocal stylings that straddle jazz, R&B, pop and funk, “I AM WOMAN” has catapulted Meli toward a 2022 breakthrough.
SINGLE: “I AM WOMAN”
RELEASE DATE: 11/19/21
INTERNET: 120m+ global streams RTD on single; 12m+ monthly Spotify listeners, peaked at #1 on Spotify Viral and Top 50 Global charts; 750k+ TikTok video creations with sound, over 1.4b views on #IAMWOMAN hashtag, original TikTok garnered 33m views with 5.1m likes on sound; #2 Shazam Discovery chart; co-signs from fans like Kyle Jenner, Selma Blair, Loren Gray, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sienna Mae, Ashley Graham and Gabrielle Union
RADIO: Approaching Top 30 at Top 40 at presstime
PRESS: Variety, Stereogum, CelebMix, All Access, more
BOOKING: CAA
MANAGEMENT: Aaryn Deal