Where Are All The Women Producers, Song-writers, Musicians, DJs?
by MERYANA TAMERA
Warning! Impassioned article ahead! If you’re not up for a passionate diatribe about WOMEN IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY and their lack of visibility, click away now. Respect and Adios.
If you’re here, you’re still with me. Cool. Let’s get on with it.
The MUSIC WORLD is drowning in MEN or let’s say it’s RAINING MEN — bless those Weather Girls but NOT IN A GOOD WAY, not in the way some women may want — another subject, not for this magazine!
It’s raining men, and it’s always raining — the storms become torrential — have always been torrential — and we’re knee-deep in toxic-masculinity, machismo, chauvinism, misogyny — add your own adjectives here. No point in hurling abuse at me, guys — it’s a fact!
Women in Music are seriously invisible or pushed back when it comes to the charts, venues, radio, TV, festivals, A&R opportunities ad infinitum.
Quoting Shirley Manson, the front-woman of US ROCK BAND Garbage and an ambassador of the KEYCHANGE movement.
“I remain utterly outraged by the depressing statistics surrounding female representation in every aspect of the global music business.
“The inequalities in the music industry are vast. Performers alone don’t make up festivals or the music industry — lineups should be scrutinised; hiring policies of record labels should be examined; pay disparities should be corrected.
“We need action in all aspects and areas. We all suffer when there is a lack of representation on the stage because we risk the possibility of great talent being discounted.” — source KEYCHANGE.
And check this out — as of today — Sunday, June 25th 2023 — this article in the UK’s Guardian Newspaper with its headline — FEMALE MUSICIANS DEFEND EMILY EAVIS AFTER ROW OVER GLASTONBURY GENDER SPLIT — with its sub-heading “Artists including Sharleen Spiteri of Texas back the festival’s co-organiser, who was criticised over booking all-male headliners”.
You couldn’t make this s*** up!! What century are we living in? All male headliners at GLASTONBURY in 2023? Seriously?
Check out this quote from the article: “However, Eavis said the headline position had already been allocated by the time Lizzo confirmed her appearance, and said the music industry was failing to generate enough viable female headliners.” — source: The Guardian — link above.
‘….the music industry was failing to generate enough viable female headliners.’ Can that go down as the world’s biggest insult to all women DJs, Producers, Singer-songwriters, musicians and artists?
I am not a musician — just a passionate music lover — and I was so offended by this statement. I can only imagine the horror of those STELLAR female music stars who fill venues, sell songs, and who are equal to men in all things musical!!
So why do FEMALE DJs, PRODUCERS, SONG-WRITERS, MUSICIANS and BANDS get such an incredible bad rap when it comes to the entire Music Business?
Well here are some ideas:- the music industry’s dominance by men can be attributed to:
a) History:- traditionally, music has been a male-dominated field. Historical gender roles and societal expectations often limited women’s opportunities for education, participation, and recognition in music.
b) Industry gatekeepers: Historically, key roles in the music industry, such as executives, producers, and promoters, have been predominantly held by men. These gatekeepers have significant influence over artist selection, signing contracts, and promoting music, which can impact the visibility and success of artists.
c) Stereotypes and bias: The music industry, like many other creative fields, has been influenced by gender stereotypes and biases. These biases can affect the perception of talent, genre suitability, and marketability of artists. Women have often been subjected to double standards and scrutiny based on their appearance, leading to a focus on their image rather than their musical abilities.
d) Lack of representation: Limited representation of women in prominent roles within the music industry can result in a lack of role models and mentors, making it more challenging for aspiring female artists to navigate the industry and gain opportunities.
e) Unequal opportunities: Women have historically faced obstacles in accessing the same opportunities as their male counterparts, including limited access to resources, networks, and platforms. This disparity can hinder their career progression and limit their chances of achieving success.
f) Male-centric industry practices: The music industry’s practices and structures, such as tour schedules, studio environments, and promotional strategies, have often been designed with a male perspective in mind. These practices may create additional challenges for women, particularly in balancing personal life, touring, and studio work.
Strong stuff isn’t it?! The list of SUPER-TALENTED WOMEN in the MUSIC INDUSTRY is as great as mens’, but women have to fight harder, longer and with greater determination just to get a look-in.
According to US news source NPR, women are still largely invisible in the Music Industry as musicians, DJs, Producers, front and back of house — in fact in every aspect of the Music Business. Analysing the 2022 ANNENBERG REPORT into women in the Music Business, they cited that in 2022 there were just 12.7% of women working as songwriters in the Industry, while 87.3% were male. You can view the report here.
So let’s look at which countries are doing reasonably well in the female music artists’ stakes.
- The United States has been a hub for many influential and successful female musicians across various genres. American female artists have achieved global recognition and have had a significant impact on the music industry, but again this statement only ranks as a percentage of how men fare.
- The UK has a rich history of female musicians who have achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. British female artists have made significant contributions to genres like pop, rock, soul, and electronic music, but again — this statement only ranks as a percentage of how men fare.
- Sweden has a strong tradition of producing successful female pop artists who have gained international popularity. Artists like ABBA, Robyn, and Tove Lo have achieved significant success both in Sweden and around the world.
- In recent years, South Korea’s music industry, known as K-pop, has gained immense popularity globally. Female K-pop groups such as BLACKPINK, TWICE, and Red Velvet have amassed large fan bases and achieved success on an international scale.
- Brazil has a vibrant music scene, and female musicians have made notable contributions to genres like bossa nova, samba, and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira). Artists such as Elis Regina, Marisa Monte, and Maria Rita have achieved widespread popularity.
- Nigeria’s music industry, often referred to as “Naija music” or “Afrobeats,” has seen the rise of several successful female artists like Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and Niniola. They have gained recognition both within Africa and internationally.
Let’s not get too excited though. The countries listed are still battlegrounds for women in music. So, who ON THIS EARTH is helping women DJs, Producers, Musicians, Singer-songwriters and bands get the help they need towards redressing the chauvinism in the MUSIC INDUSTRY?
I am going to list a few here: -
Shesaid.so is a global independent community of women and gender minorities from all sectors of the music industry: from record labels, artist management companies, and booking agencies, through to technology platforms, creative agencies, composers, artists and more.
SHE IS THE MUSIC — an independent, global network that operates as a unifying organization for women from across the industry, creating strength and impact on a global scale. A first-of-its-kind collaboration spanning the music industry, SITM is powered by creators, publishers, record labels, talent agencies, industry groups, media companies, streaming services, and more.
Women In Music is a non-profit organization that has grown to encompass 25+ chapters across the globe. WIM’s community members include record label executives, music-tech entrepreneurs, artist managers, songwriters, musicians, attorneys, recording engineers, agents, publicists, studio owners, music publishers, marketers and more.
Audiofemme is a music and culture blog, based in New York. It exists since 2012 and aims to provide a platform for female and non-binary creators.
Music production for women (MPW) is a global movement, community and online education platform which aims to encourage and empower women who are taking their first steps into music production.
Women’s Audio Mission is a San Francisco/Oakland-based nonprofit organization and the only professional recording studio in the world built and run by women/GNC individuals. It attracts over 2,000 underserved women/girls/GNC individuals every year to STEM and creative technology studies that inspire them to amplify their voices and become the innovators of tomorrow. WAM’s award-winning curriculum weaves art and music with science, technology and computer programming and works to close the critical gender gap in creative technology careers.
SoundGirls exists to provide a support network for women and non-binary people working in the professional audio industry and to assist those with a drive to be successful in audio. SoundGirls is not restricted to women only and is open to anyone who has a desire and drive to succeed in professional audio. The ratio of women to men members is approximately 65% women and 35% men. SoundGirls welcomes all genders and non-binary people.
We are moving the needle is a nonprofit organization supporting all women recording industry professionals, audio engineers and producers. The organization provides resources and support both to those at the very start of their education as well as those currently in their recording and production careers battling the overwhelmingly male-dominated landscape of the industry.
The Women’s International Music Network works to expose role models, events and educational opportunities that focus on women in music while creating opportunities for performance and networking.
Women Produce Music is a non-profit organisation that enables female composers and producers to network and collaborate.
You can find more organisations supporting women in music here.
So, diatribe over. Let’s get some MUSIC on and give a MASSIVE SHOUT-OUT to some awe-inspiring women DJs and musicians — past and present.
Here are just some of my favorites:-
DJ Jazzy Joyce: A prominent figure in the early hip-hop scene and a skilled turntablist.
DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper): Best known as the DJ for the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa, contributing to their success and creating memorable mixes.
DJ Heather: — A respected house DJ known for her technical skills and contributions to the Chicago house music scene.
The Black Madonna (Marea Stamper): A DJ, producer, and activist known for her energetic sets and support for diversity in the electronic music industry — now called The Blessed Madonna.
Carole King: A prolific songwriter whose work spans several decades, writing numerous hits such as “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Natural Woman” for various artists.
Linda Perry: A songwriter and producer known for her work with artists like Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen Stefani, among others.
Missy Elliott: A highly successful songwriter, rapper, and producer who has worked with numerous artists and has won multiple Grammy Awards.
Alicia Keys: A singer-songwriter and producer known for her soulful compositions and powerful vocals, often involved in the production of her own music.
Grimes (Claire Boucher): An innovative electronic musician, singer, and producer known for her unique blend of pop, electronic, and experimental sounds.
Peggy Gou: A South Korean DJ and producer known for her eclectic sets and blending of various electronic music styles.
Nastia (Anastasia Topolskaia): A Ukrainian DJ and producer recognized for her deep and hypnotic techno sets.
Nina Kraviz: A Russian DJ, producer, and label owner known for her unique style, combining techno, acid, and experimental sounds.
Sia: An Australian singer-songwriter, producer, and composer who has written and produced numerous chart-topping hits for herself and other artists.
Ester Dean: A songwriter and producer who has worked with artists like Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj, known for her catchy pop hooks and lyrics.
Imogen Heap: An English singer-songwriter and producer who has crafted innovative and experimental music, incorporating electronic and acoustic elements.
Billie Eilish: A young American singer-songwriter and producer who gained immense popularity for her genre-blending music and introspective lyrics.
Björk Guðmundsdóttir — who simply needs no introduction!
This is the tiniest, most miniscule selection of my personal favorites, and there are many millions of other STELLAR female musicians who warrant their own listing in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The above are my favorites — so give me your own in the comments section. I can’t wait to see them.
But as I am a passionate music lover, and I have the coolest job on the planet, working for AUDIOSPARX & RADIOSPARX, and we’re totally on the side of our 7,500+ artists, I am going to drag you into my own personal independent female artist Hall of Fame courtesy of RADIOSPARX, and introduce you to seven of my favorite female musicians who are part of our independent music artists’ tribe.
VONA B.
Vona B. is an extremely talented young RnB, Soul, and Pop artist based in California. She has worked as a vocalist with Levi Seacer, musical director for Prince for 13 years, and a multi-platinum producer who was named one of the World’s One Thousand Greatest Guitar Players. Vona B. has collaborated with De’la of Trak Nation whose credits include Migos, Rayven Justice, and Pleasure P, and she is gearing up to work with Jimi Kendrix, multi-platinum producer for artists the likes of Jay-Z, Patti LaBelle, Ashanti, and Ja Rule to name a few.
LISTEN TO HER TRACK “PIECES” HERE:
Paytra
New York’s Paytra is a strikingly talented Singer-Songwriter and Pianist who effortlessly switches between Soulful belts and playful Rap-singing and embraces her lyricism over ‘808-heavy’ and Danceable Pop tracks. Influenced by Chris Brown, Rihanna, Post Malone, and Tinashé, she is known for bold lyrics and witty humor over hard-hitting tracks. Featured on MTV, Womanly Magazine, Vlad TV, and Sirius XM’s Shade 45 Radio, Paytra has performed in front of thousands, and her innovative Hip Hop, Dance, and RnB songs can be heard around the world!
LISTEN TO HER TRACK “TIK TOK” HERE.
Tyra B
Tyra Bolling better known as Tyra B, is an American, LGBTQ+ singer, songwriter, and performer. She’s best known for her top 40 R&B singles “Country Boy,” “Still in Love,” “Givin’ Me a Rush,” and “I’m Yours.” Tyra has worked with a number of artists and producers including Destiny’s Child, Soulja Boy, Chingy, Keith Sweat, Raphael Saadiq, Eric Sermon and Dondria. After leaving her record label in 2012, Tyra has been working as an independent artist garnering over 10 million streams across streaming platforms.
LISTEN TO HER TRACK “TEASE” HERE:
MoZaic Soul
US artist MoZaic Soul has always been a lover of music, from dancing as hard as she could at family functions to rapping lyrics on her toy recording machine. Being raised in the prime time of New York’s Hip Hop movement, it was easy to understand her influence. MoZaic began singing leads on her church’s children’s choir where she realized that singing was her saving grace. She believes that sound and melody have healing elements and she intertwines those into her creations!
LISTEN TO HER TRACK “FLAWS” HERE.
Vocalatti
The warm and sultry tones in Vocalatti’s voice melt you on first impact. Living in the UK, her music is influenced by the Jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. She writes in many genres, especially Latin-based rhythms, Soul and Deep House. Her music encompasses orchestral sounds, with full string sections and beautiful, memorable chord structures that linger long after the listener has heard her songs. Vocalatti has had airplay on The BBC sounds app Jazz FM, KJazz Radio UK, and Curved Radio Australia.
LISTEN TO HER TRACK “DEEP FOR YOU” HERE.
Kaylaa Taylor
Canadian artist Kaylaa Taylor’s single “Supa-Tasta-Listic” is a sexy and romantic song with RnB and Neo-Soul vibes. Fun, flirty, and sassy, it is the perfect choice for urban clubs, and for love-making and seduction scenes for Film and Television.
LISTEN TO HER TRACK “Supa — Tasta — Listic” HERE.
Melodic
Melodic, also known as Jasmine Nicole, is an extraordinary talent hailing from Delaware. She overcame many obstacles early in her career, but she was able to garner local and national success under major management with her single “So Stellar” in 2009. Now, she is a seasoned artist able to create using not just her own words but her own instrumentals as she produces all of her music! Through hard work and consistency, Melodic continues to produce powerful, motivational, empowering, and meaningful songs!
LISTEN TO HER TRACK “6 WALLS (YOU CAN’T PUT ME IN A BOX)” HERE.
RADIOSPARX is always ‘doing it’ for our SISTERS. Check out a very small selection of our FEMALE PLAYLISTS below. Click on the description below the playlist graphic to take you to the entire playlist catalogue.
Thanks for reading my article today. If you like what you’re reading, please follow us and subscribe to get more articles in your inbox. We’re passionate about bringing you the human story behind the story, taking in a 360 degree view of the MUSIC BUSINESS, the good — the bad — and the ‘not-so-pretty’. See you next time, Meryana xx
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