“I'm so interested in the feminism of women in American music. These ladies, going out on the road, way before the opportunities and advantages that I have - it was absolutely rough out there. The fact that they were still able to get their art out there and do what they're doing is really impressive to me.”

American musician, actress, and author

Rhiannon Giddens is an American musician, actress, and author known for her eclectic folk music. She first came to wide notice as a founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, where she sang lead and played fiddle and banjo. Her work blends traditional American sounds with a broad, searching approach to folk music. Through Carolina Chocolate Drops and her later work as a solo artist, she has been recognized for performance rooted in old forms, with words and music that often reflect history, identity, and memory.