Naija Feminists Media’s Post

There are real challenges around misogyny in music. Last month our government (sighs but not surprised) rejected the findings of a report about this https://lnkd.in/e9nq22Js Ill be on panel discussing this at a Gender in Music Conference this month led by the The F List for Music My focus will be the misogyny queer women face. When I set up Out & Wild Festival I was focused on supporting the audience but it soon became clear artists value the space because they just don’t get the representation they should. Especially at Prides. Last year one of the biggest Prides in the UK had less than 20% of acts identify as queer women or non-binary. And 26 acts (over 50%) were drag queens with just 2 drag kings. And when women do appear it tends to be the acts that gay men loved growing up, most of whom are not queer women. I speak to acts who never get asked to perform at Prides, despite being massively talented. Many also say they find Prides or events play heavily to stereotypes and are feel over sexualised. Making them not the best spaces to perform at. I was involved in setting up the Women’s Stage at Pride in London when we suggested moving it from the back of a van (literally) to Leicester Square we had to fight a lot of criticism to make it happen. There are over 200 Prides across the UK. They should be for the whole community. If you are a brand that sponsors Prides I have two questions for you. Because unless you challenge you are supporting the problem. 1️⃣ Are you checking the gender balance on the board or committee. Because we all know how important representation is here. 2️⃣ Are you asking them how they ensure a fair representation of their community on stages. The good Prides do focus on this and track it. Out & Wild will be working with the F-List and others to measure representation this year. And we will report on it. Because this needs to change. #womeninmusic #pride #genderrepresentation

A groundbreaking study by Concerts SA, in collaboration with SAMRO, IKS Cultural Consulting, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has unveiled the harsh realities faced by women in live music. Conducted in late 2023, this research surveyed 357 industry professionals, revealing profound gender inequalities 🎶🚨 . Key findings: - 56% of women earn less than R5,000 per month. - 63% face inappropriate remarks and mansplaining regularly. This vital research underscores the urgent need for systemic change to ensure fair pay, safe working conditions, and genuine representation for women in the industry. Despite the financial and psychological costs, an impressive 90% of women in the study feel confident in their place within the live music sector. It's time to address these disparities and support the incredible women who drive our industry forward. Read more about the study and join the conversation on how we can foster a more equitable and inclusive environment for all. #WomenInMusic #LiveMusic #GenderEquality #IndustryChange #SupportWomen https://lnkd.in/dCRJ7vp8

Gender inequality in the music industry is particularly prevalent among women and gender minorities in genres like rock, rap, and wild electronic music. Women make up a small percentage of artists, producers, and musicians. A 2020 study found that between 2012 and 2019, only 21.6% of artists on the Billboard Hot 100 were women. This gap extends to concert lineups and music festivals, where male acts dominate. Addressing this gap is critical to creating a more diverse and inclusive music industry.

Yesterday Out & Wild Festival got rejected for a joint Arts Council Bid. Next week Ill be waiting for the rejections or lack of reply when I reach out to brands to support the biggest festival in the UK for queer women and those who are non-binary. Lack of funding and support for women in arts and music is shocking. This year The Department of Culture, Media and Sport refused to take any of the concrete actions recommended by a Misogyny in Music report. This was despite the report clearly showing discrimination and harrasment alongside documented evidence. 1️⃣ 51% of women reporting experiencing gender discrimination and 2️⃣ 33% reporting being sexually harassed while working as a musician. Almost two thirds of respondents said that this abuse and harassment is a career barrier. This goes alongside the shocking findings that nearly half of female festival goers (43%) under 40 say they have faced unwanted sexual behaviour at a music festival, We need the abuse and misogyny to stop. And we needed funding for support and safe spaces. #womeninmusic

This is just outrageous. Participating in this report was so empowering, and the final recommendations of the WEC made me hope for a safer, fair environment for our female colleagues in the UK. Wishing the WEC is able to make the Government rethink its stance. We deserve nothing less than that. ***** UK Government ‘falling short’ over action to help protect women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination, Women and Equalities Committee warns The UK Government has rejected recommendations to help protect women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination despite unequivocal backing from the creative industries watchdog CIISA and a myriad of female voices speaking out across the sector. In its response to WEC’s landmark January report on ‘Misogyny in Music’, the Government said it is “clear that everyone should be able to work in the music industry without being subject to misogyny”. However, it stopped short of accepting the WEC’s recommendations to transform industry protections, despite WEC’s warning women in music face “endemic” discrimination. It also recommended the Government should legislate to protect workers from sexual harassment by third parties, a proposal the Government initially supported and then rejected last year. On non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), the report cited distressing testimonies of victims “threatened into silence”, with WEC urging to prohibit NDAs in cases involving sexual abuse, harassment, misconduct and bullying. The Government plans to bring in such measures in higher education but did not support the recommendation to do so for music despite the compelling evidence presented. Chair of the WEC, Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP said: “The Committee’s report laid bare a “boys’ club” where sexual harassment and abuse is common and where ‘endemic’ misogyny has persisted for far too long.   “Following its shocking findings, women across the music industry have spoken out in the clearest possible terms about the need for transformative change. Improving protections and reporting mechanisms through necessary legislative and structural reforms are essential steps to achieving that.   “Ministers are letting women down with their feet dragging over NDAs. We have had platitudes and reassurance, but still no action despite evidence that the use of NDAs is rife, in far too many sectors, and they are being used to protect perpetrators and silence victims. “WEC is calling on the Government to re-think its stance, equip CIISA with the powers required to drive the changes needed or risk falling short over the action needed to protect women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination.” WEC will be holding a follow-up evidence session relating to its report on April 24th. https://lnkd.in/djCCGUCj

I personally have felt that being a female has hindered opportunities for growth, so I think its important to drive awareness. Though awareness isn't enough without action. And sometimes I think people are too scared of losing their industry jobs to speak up; putting ethics and morals aside to be in the music industry because they worked so long and hard to get there or know how competitive it is to risk it all. It's sad when something is that "powerful" to make one not do the right thing. I know the article is focused on UK, but we experience it in the U.S. as well. I do think the issue with this article is it starts out with half the women, but its only surveying 6K and it seems like the 6K are all in UK. So if we want people to take it seriously, we need be more representative and expansive in our surveying. How many women are in the music industry as a whole, then look at the 6K, then look at the amount who are women, then look at the amount who say they are discriminated against. We got to come with some trustworthy data if we are supporting a cause here.

The 25 Best Pride Songs of 2024 (So Far): Staff Picks https://ift.tt/SMigbl4 At a time of year where calls for increased representation reach a fever pitch, the LGBTQ+ community is especially in need of greater depiction in the music business. As a recent survey conducted by Queer Capita, The Orchard and Billboard found, nearly half of surveyed LGBTQ+ workers said they found the music industry’s current levels of representation to be lacking, while a mere 8% felt their respective companies provided adequate resources for their queer-identifying employees. Simply put, queer music professionals are ready to see real change happen for their community. Related Love Letters to the LGBTQ Community: Read the Notes From Doechii, UMI, Allison Ponthier… 06/01/2024 It’s a sentiment shared by the queer community at large today — while state legislatures around the U.S. have already introduced over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills, reporting shows that public reception of such legislation has shifted. The Human Rights Campaign released a polling memo in May, showing that according to a number of national polls, a majority of Americans agree that legislation against the LGBTQ+ community has gone too far. Yet in an industry where queer professionals feel they’re not being adequately platformed and a time where LGBTQ+ people are actively under attack, it sure feels like 2024 has been a banner year for queerness in music. Across genres and styles, LGBTQ+ artists have provided fans with some of the most-loved music of the last six months. Some queer artists have even managed to find massive success on the charts, a feat considered practically impossible in musical eras past. If the first few years of the 2020s marked a queer awakening in popular music, then 2024 may well serve as the start of an official queer renaissance. With so many excellent entries from LGBTQ+ musicians to choose from in 2024, which ones stand out amongst the rest? Below, Billboard staffers offer our picks of the 25 best songs from LGBTQ+ artists released in 2024. via Billboard https://ift.tt/3t6jFcM June 26, 2024 at 01:00PM

New Post: Latin Artists Fuel Dramatic Growth of Spain’s Live Scene - https://lnkd.in/g8ZpZccT - Thirty-three shows by Latin artists — including Christian Nodal, Camilo, Emilia, Nicki Nicole and Eladio Carrión — are set to take place at the WiZink Center arena in Madrid this year, out of a total of 97 planned concerts. That’s triple the number of shows by Latin artists who performed at the venue in 2019. Nearby, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which will soon reopen after a three-plus-year renovation, Mexican star Luis Miguel will be the first artist to play two back-to-back shows at the venue when he headlines in July. The numbers provide a glimpse of Spain’s shifting musical tastes and exploding touring market. According to the country’s Association of Musical Promoters, 2022 ticket revenue reached a record gross of 459 million euros ($492 million); the 2023 Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona drew 500,000 fans over two weekends, according to the concert promoters association. For touring in Spain, the pandemic also demarcated a distinct before and after, with Spanish-speaking acts coming from Latin America and the United States now touring in Spain more than English-speaking acts. “We could, perhaps, consider Rosalía as a precursor since she introduced and popularized internationally style that had not yet fully taken off in Spain and is now incredibly popular and growing day by day,” WiZink Center director Paz Aparicio says. Related Spain’s Music Market Is Booming As It Welcomes Latin Talent From Around The Globe 03/08/2024 Rosalía’s global appeal helped catalyze the shift, along with listeners who are now more open to music in a variety of styles beyond Spain’s long-dominant traditional pop. And Latin music’s growth in the United States — where the genre’s revenue has surpassed $1 billion with a 24% growth that outpaced the overall market, according to IFPI — has also bolstered demand overseas. “The U.S. is the country with the greatest strength and influence in the development of cultural and commercial phenomena. In fact, Spain and Europe have always looked more toward what has come from there. It has always been our main reference,” explains Alfonso Santiago, CEO of Last Tour, which promotes festivals such as Bilbao BBK Live and BIME Live. “I believe that the high number of Latinos in the U.S. is key, the fact that music in Spanish is occupying more and more space there every day is very important.” Today, Spain’s Latin touring scene is very eclectic, making the country a key market for new Latin artists. “In the past, very little Latin was produced in Spain, and programming more alternative artists was very

How Hip-Hop Grapples with Homophobia: A Genre in Transition Hip-hop, a genre born from the streets, has always been a reflection of society’s complexities. From its inception in the Bronx during the 1970s to its global dominance today, hip-hop has evolved, challenged norms, and sparked conversations. However, one persistent issue remains: homophobia. The Early Days: Homophobic Lyrics and Attitudes In the early days of hip-hop, homophobic language was rampant. Songs like “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five included derogatory slurs against the LGBTQ+ community. High-profile rap groups like N.W.A perpetuated harmful stereotypes, and artists like DMX used pejorative language without hesitation. Eminem and Controversy Eminem, the controversial wordsmith, rhymed homophobic lyrics on his album “The Marshall Mathers LP.” His provocative content stirred debates, but he later surprised the world by performing with openly gay musician Elton John at the Grammys. This unexpected collaboration highlighted the genre’s complexity. Shifts and Challenges As hip-hop approaches its 50th anniversary, it faces both criticism and change. Artists like Offset (from Migos) have come under fire for using anti-gay slurs, but they now feel compelled to respond and clarify their intentions. Advocacy groups like GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) have campaigned against such language, pushing for transformation within the genre. Progress and Representation Despite lingering homophobia, hip-hop is evolving. More progressive cultural views and greater LGBTQ+ representation are reshaping the landscape. The emergence of the “homo hop” movement in the 1990s, spearheaded by groups like Rainbow Flava, aimed to counter mainstream hip-hop’s acceptance of homophobia. Hip-hop’s journey toward inclusivity is ongoing. Fans, artists, and the industry continue to grapple with these issues, pushing for a more accepting genre. As we celebrate hip-hop’s legacy, let’s recognize its flaws and work collectively to create a space where everyone feels welcome. via ThisIsHipHopHQ https://ift.tt/uhvFx8K July 14, 2024 at 10:40AM

Continuing on with our #WomensHistoryMonth theme, this week’s Understanding the Music Industry post will be focused on the gender gap in the music industry – from the realistic representation of female artists in the scene to disparities in their compensation, and potential solutions on the horizon. Gender inequality in the arts is an issue that has deep roots stretching far back into recorded history. For example, in ancient Greece, women were forbidden from participating in public performances, relegating all roles, including female characters, to be played by men. ⬇️ Throughout history women have experienced both progress and setbacks across different time periods, but the 19th century was when women’s talent and potential first began to be recognized, particularly with the emergence of female composers like Clara Schumann. These days it’s easy to look back at where we started and assume that because female musicians and artists are more commonplace now than ever before, that the gender disparity that historically impacted the arts no longer exists – but that is not the case… To give a benchmark of the lack of female representation in the music industry, let’s look at some stats. In 2021, only 14.4% of songwriters were women and more than half of the songs on the Hot 100 Year-End Charts from 2012 to 2021 lacked ANY women #songwriters. But the disparity doesn’t end on the production-side of music. A 2022 study by Dr. Stacy L. Smith found that female representation in music hasn't significantly increased in the past decade, showing that only 23.3% of artists on the Hot 100 Year-End Chart in 2021 were women. According to research by @snafu_records, less than 22% of streams on major platforms are from female artists. The study further highlights a lack of representation, particularly in the 'middle class' of music (creators earning up to $100,000/year). The good news is that change is on the horizon. @snafu_records recently announced a $1M-dollar fund dedicated entirely to supporting female creators. This initiative is a step towards addressing the imbalance and fostering gender equality in the music industry. Organizations like @GenderAmplified, a nonprofit that aims to celebrate women & non-binary people in music production, and many others are doing their part by raising female artists’ visibility and developing a pipeline for young women to get involved as music producers. Suffice it to say that while progress is being made, there's still work to be done. The inclusion of female music creatives is shifting, but true gender equality remains a goal worth pursuing – and one that’s at the heart of our values at NEWM. To all the female artists, songwriters, producers, and distributors: your talent and contributions are invaluable, and your voices deserve to be heard. If you’d like to share in amplifying women’s voices, give your favorite artist a shout out in the comments! 💬 💙 🔃