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.
According to the British Phonographic Institute (BPI), the UK singles chart saw the highest achievement for female artists since its establishment in 1952. This milestone was achieved by various musicians, including Raye and PinkPantheress, whose songs gained popularity on TikTok this year. Additionally, well-known international artists such as Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and Olivia Rodrigo also dominated the charts with hits like Flowers, which remained at No 1 for 10 weeks.
However, even with this awareness, the fact remains that festivals and award shows continue to feature imbalanced line-ups that heavily favor male artists, failing to acknowledge the significant contributions of women in the industry. Sexism has been ingrained in the music business for a long time, but there has been a gradual shift in recent years with female pop artists gaining more recognition from both the media and the public. Although there is still progress to be made, recent statistics suggest that there may be some improvement in gender representation.
Firstly, the statistics provide evidence and acknowledgement that a significant majority of the most prominent figures in popular music are currently female. Secondly, they demonstrate that female musicians now hold the same level of commercial influence as their societal relevance.
Over the years, I believe that women have consistently been the most talented pop stars (just look at the examples I mentioned earlier) due to their distinctive blend of sensuality and charm, as well as the fact that pop music has traditionally been associated with femininity. In recent years, there has been a shift towards a more positive outlook on pop music and the female artists who create it, recognizing its value for serious critical analysis. A prime example is Lana Del Rey, who is now widely regarded as America’s top songwriter, despite being dismissed as trivial when she first debuted in 2012.
It is important to acknowledge that there are currently not as many male pop icons as there were in the past, despite the continued popularity of artists like Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, and Harry Styles. While the 1980s had George Michael and the 1990s and 2000s had Robbie Williams, who still holds the record for the most attended concerts in Britain with his 2003 Knebworth shows, there are not many male solo pop artists today who have a similar level of charisma and appeal.
The upcoming mainstream music scene is filled with talented female solo artists who are making their mark. Many of the most promising and popular pop acts today are young women. In the coming year, we can expect the rise of 20-year-old Canadian artist Tate McRae, whose performances and precise movements evoke memories of Britney Spears in the early 2000s. Other rising stars on their way to widespread recognition include Sexyy Red, Sabrina Carpenter, Reneé Rapp, and many more.
In the competitive landscape of the mainstream music scene, the increasing number of women making their mark serves as a lesson for the industry to acknowledge their significant contributions. It is paradoxical that the industry’s history of mistreating women has been addressed by some of the most popular female artists recognized by the BPI in 2023 through their recent music.
In 2021, Taylor Swift discussed how executives tend to overly sexualize younger musicians in her song “Nothing New”. Similarly, Olivia Rodrigo, at just 19 years old, asked “Who am I if not exploited?” in the opening track “Brutal” from her debut album Sour. Raye’s first album, My 21st Century Blues, which was released in February of last year, candidly addresses her personal encounters with abuse from men in the industry.
There are countless examples of generational stars – from Britney herself to Amy Winehouse – who have been demeaned and treated as playthings by the industry, the press and, as a result, the public. It’s a depressing thought, but perhaps stats on a page are what it takes to make a change. Now that women’s value to the industry is indisputable, it may start to be kinder to them.
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for the New York Magazine
Lauren O’Neill writes about culture for New York Magazine.
Source: theguardian.com
