Artists and performers in the music industry are expected to follow gender stereotypes, which frequently force them to behave in particular ways. Gender stereotypes have an impact on an artist's appearance, the kind of music they make, and general perception. Due to societal expectations, women are fundamentally disrespected and undervalued in the music business. They face more restrictions than males in terms of the instruments they can play, how they can express themselves. We exist in a society that sends mixed messages about women's identities and worth. Yes, music is an outlet, however for many women it just becomes a barrier to being authentic and growing as a person and artist.
For example; musical instruments. Men are known to dominate certain instruments more than women. In the article “Jazz View; Why Women Remain At the Back of the Bus,” the author Peter Watrous talks about how “the mythology surrounding jazz works against women." He goes on to explain how a woman playing a deep blues on tenor on a saxophone enters "traditional male territory." He also says in order for a woman to be able to pull it off (play the saxophone), she must learn how to be male, a form of "tranvestism.” But, the thing is even when women do take on this form of “transvestism” they are criticized for it. Women performing traditionally masculine actions are unsettling to society. As a consequence, women in the jazz world and other musical genres are forced to pass up opportunities.
JAZZ VIEW; Why Women Remain At the Back of the Bus - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
In 2016, Madonna won the Billboard Woman of the Year award, and she gave a speech about the music industry and her experience in it as a woman. There was a part that really stuck out to me. She said, "My real muse was David Bowie. He embodied male and female spirit and that suited me just fine. He made me think they’re were no rules but I was wrong. There are no rules if you’re a boy. If you’re a girl you have to play the game. What is that game? You’re allowed to be pretty and cute and sexy but don’t act too smart. Don’t have an opinion.” Women don't have the same creative freedom as men do because they are subjected to gender and sexuality expectations. For so long, women in the music industry have been marketed by using their femininity that when an artist deviates from this, it's difficult to sell them. I can name plenty male artists such as Harry Styles and Prince that have experimented with transvestism more than female artists. It makes it difficult for female artists to challenge gender norms without facing backlash. Although men in the industry face criticism, they face less of it due to their dominance and male privilege.
