It’s no secret that women are what make the Earth spin and also do groundbreaking work as leaders in any sector they occupy. Within almost every career field, there’s a woman who has changed the game and continues to make news as she breaks boundaries never thought could be broken. However, there is one field in particular, one that engulfs our daily lives, that I wish I could say the same for

the music industry.

Whether we are talking about performers, producers, writers, or executives, these women are absolutely powerful yet consistently hold a small percentage in such career paths. But according to my sources, that shouldn’t be the case for much longer.

A Force To Be Reckoned With

While the music industry is dominated by men, the amount of women rising up to take charge in a field that has aimed to limit them is astounding. Founder and current president of MAC Presents, Marcie Allen, is a force to be reckoned with as she continually brings innovation to the struggling music scene.

Through her company, Allen constructs unprecedented deals by pairing brands with musicians. Just to give you a sample, she recently created a partnership between the R&B singer Khalid and California inspired brand, Hollister. A key to her success is rooted in her grand business philosophy of looking at both brands as a partnership rather than a transaction. Allen claims the music industry is in her blood, which is no surprise since a life-altering moment occurred for her at the ripe age of 21, when she became director of marketing for Live Nation. While she claims not being afraid to fail is what motivates her, it doesn’t seem like she is anywhere close to doing so as she manages to progress, not merely survive, in this unforgiving industry.

How The Future Of The Industry Would Look With More Female Execs

The music industry has been the same since it started: male-dominated, cutthroat, and held unaccountable. Shall more women hold powerful positions in labels, management, and promotion, there would be a drastic shift in the common day artist. For example, with men overseeing most of music, female artists are typically sexualized in efforts to establish a fan base and sell. Not only that, but consumers have been brainwashed into believing that there can only be one woman at the top. This mentality is what leads to feuds, division amongst fans, and unsettling yellow journalism I personally think these tactics stem from a mix of the small percentage women hold in the marketplace and the stiff competition that comes as an effect.

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism reports that in 2017:

83.2% of music industry artists were men and only 16.8% were women

Of 2,767 songwriters credited, 87.7% were male and 12.3% were female

And of 651 producers, 98% were male and only 2% female

I bet if more women were music executives, these statistics would be different, and women wouldn’t be stepping on each other to climb up and obtain even the smallest amount of success. Instead more opportunities would be created for and given to women looking to hone their craft, which would lead to the gender ratios above becoming more balanced out

How Do Women Break In?

Whether you want to be involved behind the scenes or front and center, here are a few tips to assist you on your journey of disrupting the industry:

1. Do your research – What exactly do you want to do in the industry and where do you want to do so? Different companies are driven by different values, so decide if you would rather work somewhere that values music or the politics of business more.
2. Start Small – You don’t need to be automatically thrust into a powerful position to create a successful career. Start by looking at internships, gaining experience, and building your network.
3. Develop Relationships – Regardless if it’s shallow to believe the phrase “It’s not what you know but who you know”, it’s true. Build trust with those you work for and around so that you will be one of the first people they call should an opportunity come along.
4. Work, Work, Work – Kill it in everything you do! Being a woman in a male-dominated industry means that you have to work 10x as hard to get the same amount of attention or pay. But don’t back down and make sure they know your name.