Who was the first female musician to play an MTV Unplugged? There’s a special place in music history for MTV Unplugged, where several artists have performed iconic sets by showcasing a widely different, stripped-back side to their music. So, who was the first female musician to perform? But as with most iconic series or performances, Unplugged wasn’t always a major industry touchpoint. Moreover, it was also a fantastic way of monetising differently, all while bringing new audiences into your world and vision.