Madonna, Beyoncé, Britney, Whitney: if you think about the most iconic names in mainstream pop history, you’ll probably come up with a list of women. And this week, we have solid confirmation of female artists’ dominance. British audiences listen to more female musicians than male, according to the latest industry figures for 2023.
The British Phonographic Institute (BPI) discovered that it was the most triumphant achievement for female artists on the UK singles chart since its establishment in 1952. This notable feat included popular musicians like Raye and PinkPantheress, whose songs gained widespread popularity on TikTok this year. It also featured well-known global stars such as Miley Cyrus, whose single “Flowers” held the No. 1 spot on the UK chart for 10 weeks, as well as Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and others.
However, despite this, the lack of diversity in festival line-ups and male-dominated award shows fail to acknowledge the significant impact that female artists have in our culture. The music industry has a long history of sexism. It is only in recent times that female pop artists have started to receive recognition from both the music media and the general public. Nevertheless, recent data does indicate some progress towards change.
To begin with, the statistics provide evidence and acknowledgement that the majority of the top performers in popular music are currently female. Additionally, they demonstrate that the financial influence of female musicians is now on par with their cultural significance.
Over the years, I have observed that women have consistently been the most talented pop stars. This can be seen through the examples I have mentioned above. There is a certain combination of sensuality and charm that women possess, and pop music has traditionally been associated with femininity. In recent years, there has been a shift towards “poptimism”, where pop music and the women who create it are being recognized as deserving of serious critical recognition. For example, Lana Del Rey, who is now regarded as America’s top songwriter, was initially disregarded as unimportant when she debuted in 2012.
It should also be noted that there are not as many male pop superstars as there used to be, even though artists like Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, and Harry Styles are constantly popular. In the past, we had charismatic artists like George Michael in the 1980s and Robbie Williams in the 1990s and 2000s. Williams’ legendary 2003 Knebworth shows still hold the record for the largest audience for a solo artist in Britain. However, there are currently few male pop artists who have the same impact.
The group of talented female solo musicians on the verge of reaching widespread fame is flourishing. Currently, the most captivating up-and-coming pop artists are typically young women. In the upcoming year, a 20-year-old Canadian artist named Tate McRae is expected to dominate with her exceptional stage presence and precise choreography reminiscent of Britney Spears in the early 2000s. Other rising stars such as Sexyy Red, Sabrina Carpenter, Reneé Rapp, and many more are also on their way to becoming household names.
As the number of women in the highly competitive mainstream music industry continues to rise, it is important for the industry to acknowledge and value their contributions. It is ironic that many of the top female artists recognized by the BPI in 2023 have also addressed the repeated mistreatment of women in the industry through their music.
In her song Nothing New from 2021, Taylor Swift discusses how executives often have a fetish for younger musicians. This theme is also echoed in Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album Sour, particularly in the opening track Brutal where she asks, “Who am I if not exploited?” This album was released when Rodrigo was only 19 years old. Raye’s first album, My 21st Century Blues, which came out last February, boldly confronts her personal encounters with abuse by men in the music industry.
There are numerous instances of famous individuals from different generations, such as Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse, who have been disrespected and objectified by the entertainment industry, media, and consequently, the public. It is disheartening, but perhaps statistics on paper are necessary to bring about change. With the undeniable worth of women in the industry, perhaps they will be treated with more compassion.
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and editor based in New York City.
Lauren O’Neill is a New York City-based culture writer and editor.
Source: theguardian.com
