Balancing the Scales: The importance of Diversity in pop music
In the last year or so, we’ve seen a huge resurgence of female-forward pop music on social media. With artists like Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, and of course, Taylor Swift, garnering massive commercial success, it seems as though women are running the music industry. However, we cannot celebrate the victory of a female dominated genre without recognizing those who may be left behind.
It is important to recognize that the patriarchal systems that rule our world pervade the entertainment industry. Women, especially those in the public eye, are consistently judged and controlled much more harshly than men. Historically, women have struggled to gain commercial success at the same rate as their male counterparts across all career paths, music being no exception.
In discussing the importance of uplifting women in this space, we must consider intersectionality, and how women of color are even more disproportionately affected by this unbalance. In our increasingly diverse pop-culture landscape, we must give flowers to the immensely talented BIPOC female artists out there.
It is extremely common for the music of Black pop, indie, and rock artists to be automatically labeled as R&B or soul, despite the obvious differences in sound. This is a racial microaggression that can stop POC artists from receiving commercial success, finding a loyal fanbase, and feeling fulfilled in their careers.
Rachel Chinouriri, a Zimbabwean indie pop artist from the U.K., released her first studio album What a Devastating Turn of Events this past summer. She will be touring her new album across the U.K. this fall and will also perform as an opener for Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour in 2025.
“Black artists doing indie is not confusing. You see my colour before you hear my music.”
Chinouriri made this statement in an Instagram post, commenting on the tendency of the genre of Black artists’ work to be mislabeled.
Chinouriri and fellow Black singer-songwriter Cat Burns have a podcast, titled Even, dedicated to discussing the ways their race and ethnicities have affected their art and experience as artists. Their first episode was released this month and is an incredible resource to learn more about the importance of intersectionality and representation.
Shygirl is a hyperpop/dance pop artist of Caribbean descent, also based in the U.K. She is currently opening for the highly anticipated Sweat Tour with Charli xcx and Troye Sivan. She has spoken openly about the lofty expectations placed on her as a Black woman in the music scene.
“Because as a woman, people think I speak for all women; as a Black person, I speak for all Black people. But that's not true. I speak for myself, and you might like it, you might not.” - Shygirl, Office Magazine
These generalizations placed on minority groups can cause internal turmoil over what it means to be a woman, a person of color, and an artist. Women of color experience these conflicts at a much higher rate than other groups. Making an active effort to listen to both the experience and work of women of color will allow us to truly appreciate and value their art, therefore continuing to balance the scales of the music industry.
Strike Out,
Mia Cadaret
Mia Cadaret is a Writer for Strike Magazine Chattanooga. You can find her at miacadaret@gmail.com or on Instagram @miacadaret
