HEADLINE: In 2023, Female Musicians and Artists of Color Break Records, Says USC Study
KEY INSIGHTS:
- A study by University of Southern California researchers reveals that female musicians and artists of color are making significant strides on popular charts, earning increased accolades, and experiencing growth in 2023.
- According to the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s 2023 recording studio inclusion report, solo female artists secured 40.6% of spots on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart in 2023, surpassing the 2022 figure of 34.8%.
- Progress was observed in songwriting diversity, with 55 women of color receiving songwriting credits for Hot 100 year-end songs in 2023, a substantial rise from 33 in 2022 and 14 in 2012.
- Among the most popular songs in 2023, 56% featured at least one female songwriter—the highest percentage in the last 12 years.
- Artists of color, irrespective of gender, achieved historic representation in the 2023 year-end songs, constituting 61% of top-charting artists, up from 50.6% in 2022.
- The 2024 Grammy Awards witnessed a positive shift, with 24% of nominations across six major categories going to women, up from 15.5% in 2023. The award show is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 4.
- Despite advancements, the 2024 Grammy nominations for Producer of the Year lacked female representation for the fifth consecutive year, with only one woman nominated for Songwriter of the Year.
Jessie Jo Dillon is the only woman nominated for a the 2024 Songwriter of the Year Grammy Award.GETTY IMAGES FOR ACM
KEY STATEMENT USC researcher Stacy L. Smith emphasized, “There is still insufficient recognition for women producers and songwriters in those categories, and there are too few women of color nominated for their work.” Smith stated, “For music industry honors to truly reflect the creative workforce and the audience they serve, there must be a place for women and particularly women of color in these awards.”
SIGNIFICANT FIGURE 9. This represents the number of nominations secured by SZA, the most nominated artist at this year’s Grammy Awards. Recognized for her contributions in categories such as song and album of the year, SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, is a woman of color. Other notable nominees include Phoebe Bridgers, Victoria Monét, and Serban Ghenea, each with seven nominations, while Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and Olivia Rodrigo each received six nominations.
UNEXPECTED FACT
From 2012 to 2023, Nicki Minaj emerges as the female songwriter with the highest number of credits on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end charts, according to the inclusion report. With 23 songwriting credits, she surpasses Taylor Swift with 21, Ariana Grande with 17, and Cardi B with 16. In the male category, Drake leads with 52 credits during the same period, followed by Max Martin with 47, Dr. Luke with 33, and Cirkut and Benny Blanco, each with 27.
Nicki Minaj attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Sept. 12, 2023 in ... [+]GETTY IMAGES FOR MTV
Historically, women have faced significant underrepresentation in the music industry. A Northwestern University study spanning from 1960 to 2000 reveals that men dominated in song releases, record label signings, and connections with collaborators and producers. A Luminate, Tunecore, and Believe study conducted last year, involving over 1,650 industry professionals, found that 60% recognized gender discrimination as a major issue in the music sector.
According to the Department of Labor, female artists, on average, earn substantially less than their male counterparts, with women making an average of $45,156 compared to male artists’ $60,497.
USC’s report on artists with Billboard Hot 100 songs from 2012 to 2023 indicates that two-thirds of the 2,299 artists were men. Behind the scenes, women face a staggering ratio of 30 to 1, as revealed by the study, and this gap widens further for women of color. The Inclusion Initiative report, featuring insights into 1,972 producing credits, highlights that only 19 were attributed to women of color.
WHAT TO ANTICIPATE The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report is scheduled for presentation at Spotify’s annual women in music event on Wednesday, Jan. 31, with USC’s research sponsored by Spotify.