Music She Wrote: The Print Magazine Rewriting Music Journalism

Marissa Duldulao is carving out space for women of color in hip-hop, R&B, and alternative music—centering conversation and community over critique.

Photography by Skaiz

In a world where the authenticity of music journalism is being questioned, Marissa Duldulao decided that it was time to create her own path. When Duldulao moved to New York, she quickly became part of a group of incredible creatives and began making a name for herself in music journalism.  “I just dove in headfirst,” she says. Surrounded by other young creatives, she realized that creativity wasn’t just a dream; it was a career path. “It was impressive to see that you could actually make a job out of creativity.”

Her work has been published in international magazines, and her career was flourishing, but something was missing. She wanted to make something of her own and create a space that highlighted women of color in music fields predominantly run by men. So she did. “I’ve always wanted a community of women of color,” she explains. “Especially in hip-hop, where it can feel like a boys’ club.”

The inaugural print issue of Music She Wrote highlights five women of color across hip-hop, R&B, and alternative music. Among them are Salimata, Deela, Norah’s World, Mercury, and Sughn. These artists were brought to her attention through different avenues, whether through friends, her own personal affinity for their music, or by running into them at the Bushwick recording studio where she works. It all felt natural, and she wanted to highlight their stories in a way that felt true to who she is.

Rather than critique, the magazine centers conversation. Through Q&As, Duldulao allows the artists to tell their own stories. Her style offers a fresh take on an industry that can often feel oversaturated and filled with blanket criticism in the name of nuance. “I was never a critic,” she says. “I never thought that was the point of music journalism.”

The drive to create the magazine came from a desire for authorship in the most literal sense. On the cover, it states, All interviews by Marissa Duldulao. One of her main influences is Tyler, the Creator, who is known for writing, producing, and performing all the songs on his albums. “I wanted that feeling. I wanted to see something completely under my name.”

Although Duldulao is the editor-in-chief of the magazine, she couldn’t have done it alone. The entire creative process was supported by an amazing team of women collaborators who came to her organically through her already established community. As soon as she hit the ground running, opportunities appeared. It felt like everyone she asked believed in her vision and wanted to support her to make something beautiful happen. And they did.

Photography by Skaiz

The magazine features stunning editorials that let each artist shine through their respective personalities. Duldulao believes in the power of a beautiful editorial, and she remembers the impact that they had on her as a child. She wanted to give the same treatment to musicians who are on their way to becoming the next big thing.

The goal of the magazine is to make something honest, and she turns to artists like Doechii, who poured her true soul into her latest album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, as inspiration. “That kind of honesty lasts longer than something surface-level. People can sense what’s real.”

With one issue published, this is just the beginning. But creating an entire print magazine on your own comes with its own challenges. The pressure to build a brand and run on tight timelines creeps up around the corner. Duldulao is handling it with grace and intention. When the pressure creeps in, she reminds herself that she is doing this for herself and not to focus too much on what everyone else thinks, a great lesson for all artists to take in.

With Music She Wrote, Duldulao sets an example that we are the creators of our own destiny, and when you want to make something, do it, because who’s going to tell us, ‘no’?