'Girl Power' is slogan a that celebrates women’s Independence, empowerment, confidence, and strength. It was 'invented' in 1991 by US punk band Bikini Kill after they published a feminist zine using the words 'girl power'. It was inspired by the Black Power movement, an American movement prominent in the 1960s/70s that campaigned to achieve self determination for people of African descent.

The 'Girl Power' phrase became popular in the mid-90s punk culture. In 1995 British punk/pop band Shampoo released a single and album called Girl Power. However, the most popular girl group to use the term Girl Power is the Spice Girls which gave them a fanbase and wide reaching audience wherever they promoted Girl Power.

In 1996, the Spice Girls popularized the slogan with band member Geri Halliwell crediting Margaret Thatcher as "the original Spice Girl" and being their main influence. 'Wannabe', their debut single, has been hailed as an iconic Girl Power anthem. It showed a lot of women and young girls they could be who they wanted to be, and that being different is ok – it pushed boundaries for young girls everywhere.

The Platform Projects staff member, Fiona, said that Sporty Spice was her favourite as she was into sports and loved wearing sporty clothes. The Spice Girls were themselves influenced by artists such as Janet Jackson, Madonna, George Michael, Ace Of Base and Rick Astley. I think the effect the Spice Girls have had on their fans is to make them feel confident about themselves and have separate identities. They influenced a whole generation of young girls to be themselves. Emma Bunton, quoted from an interview with the Glasgow Evening Times in 1996: “We’re all about putting forward positive ideas for girls and letting them see that they don’t have to conform to what people expect of them". The quote means to me that saying to young girls to be who they want be in life which I think is great for the younger generation.

The song lyrics have been a big influence on the fans to make them stronger as individuals and being self-aware shows that you know yourself and are not too afraid to show it. Lyrics such as “if you wannabe my lover you got to get with my friends" tells someone that if you want to go out with them you got to be friends with their friends; and “what part of 'no' don’t you understand” which can mean when you say 'no' to something it shows that you are a strong character and know your worth.

The band have had a devoted fan base from day one, and the new generation of kids have become fans of the pop phenomenon. One of the biggest fans is Liz West, who has been a fan since day one and continues to collect memorabilia. Liz West, who is Guinness world record holder for the having the biggest Spice Girl collection, described them as “colourful individual and fun” and what she loved about them was “their energy.” As well as the Spice Girl’s music I think their merchandise, such as their brand of dolls, was a great idea for their fans so that they can 'have' their heroes. The Spice Girls would not be as famous if they had not used Girl Power which made them unique and appealed to loads of fans. As of 2020, the Spice Girls have sold 85 million records worldwide.

Years later Girl Power led to a widespread of new girl bands such as All Saints, Sugababes, Atomic Kitten and Girls Aloud. The Spice Girls have influenced many female artists such as Adele who said they made her into who she is and gave her a love of music. Other artists they influenced are Alexandra Burke, Charli XCX, Jess Glynne and Rita Ora.