Emmy Meli

Emmy Meli first began uploading her R&B-tinged pop material to streaming services in 2020, showcasing a self-assured and richly soulful delivery. The following year, her anthemic single “I Am Woman”—distinct from Helen Reddy’s 1972 hit—exploded across social platforms and subsequently charted on multiple continents.

Born Emily Catherine Lomeli in Long Beach, California, the artist who performs as Emmy Meli was shaping lyrics around uplifting affirmations such as “I am woman, I am fearless” when she encountered a drum pattern posted by producer Okano on a video channel. She incorporated that beat into her writing sessions during idle moments at her golf-course snack-bar job. After sharing a clip of the finished hook online, the track amassed millions of streams almost overnight. Meli then entered the studio alongside Anthony Nguyen, layering guitar, glockenspiel, and snare drum over Okano’s original rhythm. Arista and Disruptor Records issued the polished version of “I Am Woman” in November 2021. The song reached number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100, performed several positions higher in the U.K. and Canada, and entered the Top 30 in Australia, New Zealand, and additional territories.