Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco
Angela M. DiFranco, Angela Maria DiFranco, Angela DiFranco
Ani DiFranco is a ‘fiercly independent’ Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, label owner and ‘proudly bisexual’ activist from Buffalo, New York. She is known for her unwavering loyalty to smaller, local companies to produce and distribute her (and her label’s) product. DiFranco has consistently achieved international success despite having no charting singles. Prince once called her “one of the finest guitarists ever”.
Before reaching the age of ten, DiFranco was busking at a local farmers' market. At fifteen, she was emancipated from her mother and began regularly performing in clubs and coffee houses. At eighteen, she moved to New York City and, with a borrowed $1500, made a demo and quickly sold out of all 300 copies.
In 1988, DiFranco and Scot Fisher (originally a friend of her roomate) founded the Righteous Babe record label together. By 1995, DiFranco had self-released six albums and developed a loyal following, including a considerable number of lesbians who identified with her feminist lyrics, earning her the label ‘a queer icon for Generation X’. During this time, DiFranco almost signed with an established record label, but backed out after reading the contract. In 1995, DiFranco’s romantic relationship with Fisher ended, and she became involved with her sound technician Andrew Gilchrist.