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PHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORDY PEARSON

Introducing: Music's Bold New Stars

Not to state the obvious, but beauty is a high priority at Refinery29: We cover it all, from the latest trends to the most innovative products to the gurus who share their hard-earned advice. But, to us, beauty involves much more than what meets the eye. The passion, the quirks, and the unique point of view of every woman we admire — that's what real beauty is made of.

So, to celebrate this ever-evolving concept, we're showcasing 12 women who challenge convention. That's why we teamed up with the beauty trailblazers at Revlon for our second installment of Beauty Nation: The New Provocateurs. You’ve met fashion’s rising stars; now, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the fiercest up-and-comers in the music biz.

Up ahead, you’ll get an exclusive look at 12 of the most boundary-pushing singers, songwriters, producers, and DJs out there. Whether they're baring their souls in a poetic piece of lyrical genius or shredding riffs that could blow the roof off Barclays Center, these women are shaking things up with their daring looks, their unconventional sounds, and their fierce determination. Read on, listen up, and discover the beautiful ladies behind some of music’s boldest sounds.

Ducky

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At 21 years old, Ducky — also known as Morgan Neiman — puts the "independent" in indie music. The San Francisco native got her start at 13 and dropped out of high school three years later to go to New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Thanks to a degree in audio engineering, she also produces all her own stuff.

As a woman in electronica, Ducky is breaking down the constructs of the genre. And, she’s not afraid to bare herself, emotionally or physically. Her lyrics are introspective and self-aware, and any overt displays of nudity actually have a deeper message — stripping down in her video for “Air” was actually a brave acceptance of her body after going through recovery for an eating disorder. This is a woman who isn't slowing for anything.

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BN_PostImage2_MorganPHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORDY PEARSON.
The most daring thing I ever did
"I dropped out of high school to go to college, which — surprise! — was not met with a lot of support. To go to college, though, I had to get an equivalency diploma, and then I went to attend the Clive Davis program, which is where I started to get professionally trained, as opposed to teaching myself how to do stuff, so I could start doing what I loved."

On being a women in electronic music
"It’s such a pain in the ass talking about women in electronic music because it’s one of those things where you’re like, 'I don’t want to talk about it; I just want to be a woman in electronic music.' I’ve had people tell me I need a male producer, that I needed guys onstage, I need a drummer, I need support, and that I can’t just be my own person and put myself out there the way that I see fit. That I need someone else to do it for me. F*ck, no!"
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What I wear to feel sexy onstage
"I have been through so many iterations of my onstage getup. You get to be whoever you want to without strings attached. So, I’ve done tits out, pasties, I’ve done all covered up, I’ve been boyish and hip-hoppy, everything. Lately, I’ve actually gone back to this sort of girly thing — a lot of dresses and tasteful sideboob. You cannot go wrong with tasteful sideboob. It’s about finding a balance between being comfortable and getting to express your sexuality. Sometimes, I’m comfortable being half-naked and sometimes, I’m like, 'Put a muumuu on me. Hot!'"

Being bold and daring means…
"Choosing to do something you might get criticism for and not giving a sh*t, right? There’s nothing bold about doing the same thing everyone else is doing, even if it’s weird."

GetTheLook_Morgan


Sen Wye Bejeweled Crop Top and Bejeweled Skirt; Opening Ceremony Mirror Fisherman Sandal, $300, available at Opening Ceremony; VERAMEAT Claw Bracelet, $140, available at VERAMEAT

Makeup by Ashleigh Ciucci; Hair by Bethany Brill; Styled by Laura Pritchard
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