OK. First let’s address the elephant shaped questions in between these lines [is this a mixed metaphor “elephant in the room” and “reading between the lines”? may be deliberate]. Am I a woman? Yes. A feminist? Hell yes! But am I able remove my bias and pull from a pool of information from the past, present and future of Wireless and the music industry in order to help answer the question in the title? Most definitely. Let’s follow the cord. 

10%? Really? 

Focusing on the UK, researchers have found that in 2021, only 21% of all artists that performed at major festivals were women or identifying as female. Wireless’ percentages were even less favourable for women, sitting at only 10%. Makes you wonder, right? Is this because of a lack of women in the industry? Or maybe, are female artists simply not as successful? In fact, let’s go deeper and try to understand why women wouldn’t be seen as equally successful in the industry compared to their male counterparts 

"...THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE OR TWO RAP QUEENS AT A TIME..." 

To help us understand this better let’s hone into the specific genres of Wireless, e.g., Hip-hop / Rap /Grime. You’ll often hear the argument, “there just aren’t enough women rappers out there to balance the lack of women leading our stages and shows”, which is a misinformed and very ignorant excuse which continues to perpetuate the shameful bias that while there are dozens of rap kings repping multiple regions and post codes at the same time, there can only be one or two rap queens at a time. Basically, there’s this “wait your turn”mentality being forced on women and it has to stop! But if you still do not feel there are many women MC’s, then you only have yourself to blame for your ignorance. I suggest doing your research. I could list 100 talented female MC’s in the last decade but I’ll let that be your homework. Yes, music is subjective. I cannot speak to how good you personally should think these women rappers are, however for all those who manage to break through the barriers forced on them, there’s a long line of great talent going unnoticed and underappreciated. 

A CIRCUIT OF INEQUALITY

The facts lay in the charts. When comparing male and female musicians, we both average out in terms of streams, sales and overall success across all genres. But in specific genres like Rap, Hip-hop and other similar sub genres, women have been short changed. Because you have done your homework, or know a lot of female rappers like Eve, Missy Elliot, Nicki Minaj, Foxy Brown, Lauren Hill and other great talents, how can you explain why since Lauryn Hill’s 'Doo Wop' in 1998 the only other female rapper to have a No. 1 single without a male special guest feature, was Cardi B with Bodak Yellow in 2017. Since Cardi B, many women have got the No. 1 spot, but most if not all, with a male feature. This is not because these women aren’t talented enough, it’s down to an attitude, a lack of acceptance and respect from the industry (which is male dominated even on an administrative level). This then passes on to the consumer and creates a circuit of inequality. Whilst Wireless needs to plug in to sound of women voices and correct these injustices, the music industry needs to unplug and rewire its system completely. 

I was at Wireless 2021 and I can’t lie, I had a great time. It was expected, yet still was amazing how much of a buzz Megan The Stallion generated on the night, not only because of her stage presence and image, but her cadence, lyricism and overall performance. I also enjoyed the male artists on the very same stage, yet, looking across the field of anticipating fans, it was unmissable that some, even established male artists, did not energise the stage and crowd the way she did. I guess this is partially what inspired this feature. I had a sense pride. It was inspiring. I understand artist aren’t always going to be at their best, but to see a line up with such a male/female disparity, it left me wanting more from these festivals, and the industry. From when the line-up was originally released and from the feedback after the festival, I am not the only one who feels this way about lack of diversity. (just check your twitter) Which begs the question. Will wireless value women more? If it’s a yes, then show us a 50/50 female/male line up in 2022 and there on after. Better yet with more LGBTQ+ representation too. If Strawberries and Cream can do it, come on Wireless, SO CAN YOU!