Music and motherhood: ‘I want to show mothers that I can do it all’

As Bristol’s BS3 festival approaches, one performer stands out not just for her talent, but for her remarkable strength and determination.

Krush, a 40-year-old singer/songwriter from Bristol, prepared for the festival while pregnant with her third child, who she gave birth to at the end of May – four weeks before the show.

She features among the biggest names in music such as NE-YO, Craig David and Dizzee Rascal.

“I was offered the gig when I was seven months pregnant,” said Krush, describing the tough decision she had to make when accepting the gig.

“It’s been a rollercoaster,” said the mother of three. “There were days when my emotions were all over the place.”

Krush isn’t the only one juggling music and motherhood. Throughout the industry there are singers, musicians, DJs and booking agents who are all trying to juggle their busy schedules while raising their children.

Some women say the music industry has become more accepting of mothers; while others say there is more to do.

Born in St Pauls, Bristol, Krush has always had an affinity for music.

Throughout her career she has collaborated with notable artists such as Mike Skinner and Example.

However, being a woman in the industry hasn’t always been easy, she said.

“The reason I’m called Krush is because I’ve had to fight for the mic in a group of guys most of the time,” she explained.

“And once I got to the mic, I would smash the set. But that’s something we women have to deal with all the time.”

Krush continued to persevere through the struggle to continue her music career while raising two sons, ages 17 and 13.

“Because of the mother that I am, I probably have a lot more respect,” she said.

“Everyone was always supportive of me having kids. It slowed me down in terms of having to juggle last-minute shows. I had to turn things down a lot. But in terms of being a mom in the industry, I don’t have had too much negative experience.”

In December 2023, she warmed to hip-hop artist GZA, best known for his role in the Wu-Tang Clan, while pregnant with her third child.

When offered BS3 gig Krush said she wondered if she would be able to commit to the gig as she knew she would be heavily pregnant by then. But she wanted to show other mothers that they can “do it all”.

“I couldn’t say no. God put it in front of me and it was my time to accept the challenge,” she said.

In the industry, other mothers feel they could be better supported.

In 2018, Mothers in Music was set up in Bristol, supporting mums juggling music and motherhood.

The initiative was started by Alice Ballantine Dykes after the former musician had children, she realized that there was little support for women when they became mothers.

Lauren Kaye, booking agent for Earth Music Agency, has been in the industry for over 13 years and has worked with artists such as Eva Lazarus.

He has two children – a three-year-old daughter and a six-month-old boy.

She had her first child during the Covid-19 pandemic, which reduced work-related anxieties due to lockdowns.

However, her second pregnancy brought a wave of anxiety about managing unrestricted work.

“I was stressing about how much maternity leave I would take and how anyone would cover for me, because it’s not that easy in work,” she said.

Fortunately, her agency, founded by women, supported her. Lauren believes that might not have been the case in another agency.

Ruth Royall, a vocalist and drum and bass producer from Bristol, is currently pregnant with her first child. She toured the world while pregnant.

“When I first found out I was pregnant, it felt like the worst time because I had just signed with new management and had planned this tour of Australia,” she said. Despite her initial fears, her management team was very supportive.

“It shows that the industry is in a really good place right now to support women,” she said. However, touring during pregnancy was a challenge.

“Taking my baby around the world with me was pretty special, but it was also pretty tiring on my body, so I had to make sure I looked after myself.”

Ruth plans to take a five-month break from music to care for her baby and hopes to tour with her children in the future. She launched the Keep It Real Podcast to discuss industry equality with other women.

Ruth wants other expecting women to know that there is “so much more support and acceptance for artists who become mothers. I think that will improve as well.”

“Since having kids, I’ve been crushing it harder than I ever have,” Lauren said, reflecting on her journey as a working mom.

“On a daily basis, I am still a mother to my children. I’m not Krush. I just take it in my stride. I like; it’s not much like a job. He showed me love and the symbol of love. it’s motherhood.”