Hey there, music lovers! This industry generated tea from your girl is finally ready for consumption. While I spent time at the studio (the usual experience) I suddenly noticed the absence of female presence around me. They operate as producers within the studio environment but they are not present as vocalists or songwriters since they work at mixing consoles while creating hit tracks.
Let’s get real for a second. The proportion of women in the music production field remains disproportionately low so it is crucial to discuss this problem. Release the earphones because this discussion is making waves with its findings.
The Numbers Don’t Lie (But They Sure Are Depressing)
The USC Annenberg study identified women’s presence among music producers in popular songs to be less than 3% (I actually read studies from time to time). THREE PERCENT, people! Why would anyone classify such numbers as standard? The milk products in my refrigerator exceed the number of women producers in their professional spaces.
During each annual Grammy nomination period there are only enough female producers to fill a single hand while leaving extra space for holding snacks. Winners of the Producer of the Year award in the 2013 to 2022 period included women only 4% of the time. Before Linda Perry secured her nomination for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) in 2019 the category saw no female nominees throughout a span of more than one and a half decades.
Like, hello? Are we still living in the Stone Age? Because this caveman behavior is getting old.
“But Girls Just Don’t Like Technical Stuff, Right?” WRONG.
Your prehistorically outdated beliefs need to be addressed. The quantity of times I have encountered this version exceeds all the occasions when I heard unprofessional auto-tune usage.
Believing that women have a biological dislike for adjusting knobs and understanding compression amounts to the same level of evidence as accepting the existence of mythical unicorns. The actual situation reveals a perfect convergence of discouragement alongside gatekeeping and plain sexist behaviors starting from early childhood.
Children typically see different learning directions based on their gender as little boys get permission to operate electronics while little girls receive alternatives for activities. Most career decision-making processes occur after up to fifty leaks form within the pipeline. The focus should lie on developing opportunities and personal encouragement rather than determining interest level.
The Boys’ Club Has a Bouncer (And He’s Not Checking Your Production Skills)
At this industry event during the last month I tried to break into a private society but it turned out like joining a secret organization. The frequency of mansplaining at this event would give anyone a brain hemorrhage.
When a female producer discusses her active project about a track three male producers step forward to describe compressor functionality despite the fact that the man standing with her is not the actual producer. They mistake the male figure standing next to her as the responsible producer although their assumption is incorrect. Make it make sense!
The professional studios often create a hostile environment for new visitors. The discovery of musical production suddenly tends to end with this question. The environment in the room shifts through obvious and not-so-noticeable conversational patterns as women walk through the door. My female producer colleague (also one of only two womern) decided to present a simpler and natural appearance during production sessions because men took her more seriously when she lacked cosmetics and formal attire. In 2025! The absolute state of this industry!
The Few, The Proud, The Revolutionary
Several marvelous women managed to surpass all ridiculous barriers and transformed the industry permanently. These remarkable women entered the scene and redesigned the entire structure of the house.
Sylvia Massy has gained fame as a rock production greatness after creating “Undertow” for Tool and leading System of a Down’s debut album production. The producer achieved an amazing guitar recording by using an actual potato as a recording medium. Innovation level: goddess.
As the frontwoman of 4 Non Blondes Linda Perry produced all-star hits for Pink and Christina Aguilera and many other acts throughout her career. Remember “Beautiful”? Yeah, that was Linda’s magic.
The younger generation of musicians proves its worth through WondaGurl who composed for Jay-Z and Travis Scott in her teenage years and Tokimonsta who continues electronic music excellence after brain surgery recovery.
The musicianship these women display extends far beyond their status as female producers since they demonstrate exceptional producing abilities in every aspect. Full stop. End of story.
Why Fixing This Mess Is Good For Everyone’s Ears
Although fairness alone should be decisive the situation involves more than just equity. It’s about the music itself.
Under this situation the music industry ends up with an homogenous production taste. One sound blends into another to the point of complete sameness. Boring! The musical richness of new sounds remains unreachable because we have restricted the range of creators.
Music grows stronger because it depends on various perspectives and life experiences. Our music evolves into intriguing innovative and superior content when there is greater diversity among production artists. The acceptance of diversity in production brings essential value to what people hear.
Small Steps in the Right Direction (But Like, Can We Speed This Up?)
Changes are taking place despite my wish to avoid a bleak description considering how slowly these modifications occur.
She Is The Music along with Women’s Audio Mission lead a mission of progress through educational networks and pathways for the industry. The industry producers Wondagurl and Tokimonsta organize production studios to teach young female producers. Certain music studios have started to adopt behavioral standards which aim to reduce studio hostility.
Grammy-winning engineer Kesha Lee noted that women joining the field of audio engineering brings positive effects to improve studio environments.
What Can We Actually Do About It?
Alright, so we’ve established that the situation is fifty shades of messed up. What now?
The first step starts with male producers who have already established themselves to mentor female producers. You should give away your expertise but do it without any signs of superiority. Recommend them for gigs. It’s not that complicated.
Studios along with record labels need to establish programs for hiring females. Incorporating women in workforces relates to talent acquisition more than being a superficial action. Perform an audit on your studio workplace to determine if it exhibits behavior from the time of 1985 universities.
The music fan community should know and acknowledge the achievements of female producers through specific artist promotion and identification. Whenever you want to promote one of your favorite tracks be sure to include the name of any female producer involved. Visibility matters.
All aspiring female producers need to continue advancing forward in their career. Your perspective is exactly what the music industry requires even if its practices create illusions of indifference. Join groups dedicated to your well-being while keeping in mind that your achievements tear down obstacles they will face.
The Bottom Line
This message brings no disguises regarding the current state of affairs. The male-dominated sphere of music production functions as an actual disgrace for an organization that identifies as progressive. The outlook for change is possible because transformation has to happen.
Within music there has always existed a tradition of defying rules and confronting accepted standards. The production aspect of the industry needs to start living up to the ethical values that its industry present itself with.
Follow my next post while listening to music with high standards along the way. This message comes from your ArtistHeat correspondent who delivers authenticity while seeking an era without mysticism surrounding female producers.
Peace out, and may your mixes always be clean and your bass always be deep! ✌️
