Breaking Barriers: Unveiling the Struggle for Inclusivity in EDM

Electronic dance music (EDM) has long been recognized as a genre that championed inclusivity, creating a welcoming space for communities such as people of color (POC) and the LGBTQ+ community. However, despite its initial aspirations for unification, EDM faced significant inequalities in 2021, particularly concerning the representation of women. The lack of female DJs and artists has been a persistent issue, with a mere four percent of global demand being attributed to women, according to the 2021 International Music Summit Business Report, demonstrating the grave disparities that persist in the industry, and highlighting the struggle women face in achieving recognition, economic demand, and equal opportunities within the EDM community.

Pressure FACTS survey of 2020 revealed that from 2017 to 2019, women comprised only 20.05% of all festival acts. Additionally, a 2017 study by the BBC found that out of 660 headliners across 14 major festivals in the UK, only 37 were female. Sadly enough the statistics demonstrate the exclusion of women from prominent positions and opportunities to showcase their talent in the global EDM industry. 

        That is not to mention the comprehensive study that was conducted by the USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism which analyzed the representation of gender and race in the music industry. The study encompassed the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 chart from 2012 to 2022 and the demographics of Grammy Award nominees from 2013 to 2023.
In summary of their findings, the study revealed that over the 11-year period, 76.6% of artists on the Billboard chart were men, while women accounted for only 22.3%. However, there was a slight increase in the percentage of female artists in 2022 (30%), indicating a positive trend. Moreover, in terms of race and ethnicity, we can observe as well a positive increase in numbers, the study of USC showed that 50.6% of all artists in 2022 were from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, while 49.4% were white. Although this represents a decline from the previous year in the study, it still signifies progress in ethnic diversity within popular songs.
Concerning producers, the previous study shows as well that out of 800 songs, a mere 2.8% of producers were women, while 97.1% were men. This indicates a stark gender disparity in the production aspect of the music-making process, which is commonly known as the beginning steps of entering the EDM industry. 

While the music industry as a whole still has a long way to go in achieving equitable representation, the EDM community is taking steps to address gender and racial disparities. Initiatives such as Keychange, spearheaded by the PRS Foundation, are working to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for marginalized groups. Artists like Nina Kraviz are breaking barriers and gaining recognition, paving the way for change.

The EDM industry is also taking the initiative by launching a number of major electronic brands to combat discrimination in the industry: Pioneer DJ, Beatport, Sentric Music Group, AFEM, Mixmag, RA, IMS, and Women in CTRL have partnered up with InChorus, a groundbreaking data collection platform, to launch the Electronic Music Inclusion Initiative (EMII). The objective behind the project is to take a data-led approach in order to foster a more inclusive dance music ecosystem. As we move forward, it is crucial to continue supporting and empowering women in EDM to create a more diverse and inclusive industry.

Written by Luna Mongrut