IN FOCUS
IS THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TRULY INCLUSIVE? WITH MAYA KALLY
Human beings are intrinsically hierarchical. Through years of practice we’ve developed from parent/child hierarchy to tribal leaders, headteachers, CEOs, MPs, and governing bodies. However, alongside our growing population and increasing technological advancements, the idea that one person, one city, one country or eventually one world holds more significance and power over another, is becoming increasingly dangerous to uphold. Our norms and values have led to societies whereby discrimination based on gender, religion, class, ethnicity and sexuality is unfortunately extremely common. As a consequence discriminatory words and actions have seeped into every aspect of our society, including the music industry. Recent UK music studies analysed the industry's
food chain, highlighting its unhealthy fixation on hierarchy and devastating lack of representation throughout the music industry. However, is this also the case for non-profits and social enterprises like Come Play With Me? It’s clear that the music and entertainment industry still has a very long way to go when it comes to equal representation and inclusivity. Similar to society, the music industry is disproportionately made up of white, straight males, who are carelessly controlling both behind the scenes as engineers, producers, booking agents, publicists, Music PR’s, artist and tour managers, composers and songwriters, as well as in the spotlight as singers, musicians, DJs and MCs. This overwhelming bias is no coincidence and it’s 24
certainly not a testament to the skill, intellect, and talents of white, straight males over all other music professionals throughout the field. For example, although black, trans women are represented least throughout the music industry, this doesn’t mean that they are incapable musicians, engineers, or tour managers, it simply means that they are given fewer opportunities to succeed, often being pushed aside in lieu of a white man. This is the result of our elitist, discriminatory society, which works to create an unfair advantage for a specific group of people, giving this group a helping hand throughout all fields of life. Which is not only affecting the music industry but as we’ve seen in recent events, largely impacting all members of the world. So perhaps we should begin
