Let’s Talk: Are Women Underrepresented in Music?

A study of “800 songs from 2012- 2019” finds that less than 23% of artists and 2% of producers are women …

With it being International Women’s Day yesterday, I decided to hop on and be late to a topic of conversation again.

A recent study has shown the bleak reality of active women in the popular music industry. With only 23% out of the 800 songs noted as being women artists, and with the industry still being dominated by their male counterparts – will this ever change for the better or remain for the worse?

It is great to note the importance of ethnic and gender diversity in the music industry, and this great divide is no different. Whilst this study reveals the history of the industry and why there are days to support such feats from women (even though it should be a yearly thing) in such industries, why is it so dominated with men? It’s time to consider these questions and get back to me.

Are men more musically adept at music than women? Is that why there are more of them? Or are they more likely to succeed in an industry where there is no push-back for men – as opposed to women? Is the lack of women causing less and less women to stand up and take seemingly “male-led” roles? Or are the women that have pushed into the industry, the stronger few? Whatever happens, these boundaries need to broken, the stereotypes shed and equality needs to be shared for the sake of music.

I certainly think the mantra surrounding the music industry and how overpowering the male consistency is throughout, shows a further unwillingness for women to start a career in music and venture forth into other like-minded roles like producers and label managers. And the conceived individuals who believe anything different, only make it worse.

Those who have been successful, are merely the stronger few. It is a sombre story to tell but with more awareness being raised for this concern, I really do hope the tides will turn for women in the music industry. Time will tell, I suppose.

Let me know your thoughts below.

WOMEN IN MUSIC:

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT HERE

Delve into the importance of a women’s role in the industry below:

Women’s role and place in today’s music industry

14 responses to “Let’s Talk: Are Women Underrepresented in Music?”

jewishyoungprofessional

Mar 9, 2021 at 12:43 pm

Interesting to see a study on this. I might have overestimated the number of women in music because of my personal tastes. Since one of my favorite ways to experience music is through karaoke, and since, as a woman, female vocalists are much easier for me to warble, female artists are overrepresented in my personal playlist. Fascinating to see a study showing that this is not the case.

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1. manvmusic
  
  Mar 9, 2021 at 12:57 pm
  
  Yeah no it really is. It’s a scary thing to think about that’s for sure. Hopefully that’ll change in due course .. 🙋‍♂️
  
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ellie894

Mar 9, 2021 at 1:42 pm

This is really well written. The women who are in the music industry are so strong that I think I forget that there aren’t very many of them. Thank you for giving me something to give more thought to.

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1. manvmusic
  
  Mar 9, 2021 at 1:45 pm
  
  Ah thank you for your words, Ellie. Yeah, I applaud the ones who are surrounded by men. They are the true players of the industry.
  
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  1. ellie894
    
    Mar 9, 2021 at 1:46 pm
    
    You have a really nice site and what you share is well organized and very helpful. ☺️
    
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  2. manvmusic
    
    Mar 9, 2021 at 1:51 pm
    
    Ah bless you! That is very kind, thank you so much.
    I always make sure to drop by your work whenever I need cheering up with some pearls of wisdom, so thank YOU for that.
    
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  3. ellie894
    
    Mar 9, 2021 at 2:15 pm
    
    Oh, thank You for that! It really means a lot to me 🌷
    
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2. manvmusic
  
  Mar 9, 2021 at 1:45 pm
  
  As it was International Women’s Day yesterday, I wanted to do at least one post about it (albeit a day late!)
  
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  1. ellie894
    
    Mar 9, 2021 at 1:46 pm
    
    It’s never too late to do something! ☺️
    
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  2. manvmusic
    
    Mar 9, 2021 at 1:49 pm
    
    Ah absolutely!
    
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Music & Life Blog

Mar 9, 2021 at 1:54 pm

Great post and analysis! Unfortunately the music scene is just a reflection of society. Women are ubderrepresented in most areas. When they are presented, there always seems to be extra rules for them too. Sad but unfortunately it’s still a very male dominated world.

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1. manvmusic
  
  Mar 9, 2021 at 1:57 pm
  
  Yeah you’re absolutely right with these extra rules. It’s an interesting insight into it – they seemingly have to work harder for a “man’s position” than a man normally would. The stigma is horrendous. (also, anyone feel like International Women’s Day should be an all year round thing?)
  
  As ever, thanks for stopping by!!
  
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Andrew

Oct 10, 2021 at 3:25 am

I don’t know if women are underrepresented in music. There is a ton of female musical talent out there. I can think of a bunch – the Wilson sisters, Lizzy Hale, Pretty Reckless, Feist, Amy from Stars, Régine from Arcade Fire, Lita Ford, Joan Jett, Karen O…The tough (and fun) part is the search. They’re out there, waiting to be discovered.

Are women treated differently? Yeah, most likely.

Behind the scenes? I’m sure that most of the music industry continues to be run by an old boys network.

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1. manvmusic
  
  Oct 10, 2021 at 9:26 am
  
  Yeah, absolutely. It’s interesting to look at that list of female artists and how notoriously formidable they are and were as artists in the industry. I have spoken and heard a lot about misogyny in the music industry, and a lot of women have to begrudgingly put up this reputation to make it in such a “mans’ industry”.
  
  But, the fact that they’re fantastic music artists and doing what they love despite some of the shock and horror that goes on around them, is even more respectable and commendable. I love them for that.
  
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