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Where are all the female producers?
Words Gifty Dankwah
Artist and Songwriter Gifty Dankwah, explores female music producers and the lack thereof of them within the multi-billion pound industry.
Music makes everything a lot better with its lyrics, tone, and meaning. It can be associated with any concept like love, hate, and more and figures such as a person, thing, or event. Also, every piece of music is sung by wonderful voices that easily captivate the heart and mind of the audience. But what’s more important than that, is the person behind every successful music release. We call them music producers.
However, music production had been dominated by men making women minor players in this field. Despite the mastery and skills to be offered by excellent women in music producing, only some make it to the industry. Women are much more accepted to be singers, DJs, songwriters, or in collaborations. This then pushes them to either stop or look for other opportunities that are often far from their passion, just to make a living. The bottom line is, many more women in music are needed. Let us take a look at global women who have impacted the industry.
United States
Missy Elliott is a top-tier music producer, songwriter and artist in the US who are continuously making ways to create and publish music for their loving audiences. Her sound and artistic style has played a major role in pushing the boundaries of popular music and black culture to the mainstream.
Credits: Aliyah, Monica, Beyoncé & Keyshia Cole.
Canada
Wondagurl carries an impressive resume that includes Drake and Jay-Z. She began producing at the age of 9 with just a keyboard and drum pads. Along for being known for producing music with hip hop vibes for rap artists, she also adds songwriting and record executive and becoming award winner this year with the Jack Richardson Producer of Year at the Juno Awards.
Credits: Drake, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey & Travis Scott.
United Kingdom
Mizz Beats aka Iman Yanee is known in the British Music community as being an excellent music producer who’s productions carry with pure passion, determination, and vision.
Credits: Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Skepta and Root Manuva.
Japan
Japan is not only well-known for the kawaii characters but also for wonderful music producers. Yuki Kajiura is only one of the best in this friendly country. Yuki is a musician, composer and record producer. Her works have serviced the needs of several anime series, musicals, games as movies.
Credits: Pandora Hearts (anime), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, and Nobunaga’s Ambition (game).
Jamaica
Sonia Pottinger is notable figure in Jamaican music history. She produced music inspired by her roots and became the first female music producer in Jamaica. In 1961 she and her husband opened a recording studio, becoming the first one ever to be black-owned in the country. Each piece that she produced and published has deep meanings inspired by her place and race.
Credits: Marcia Griffiths, Culture, U Roy and Archie & Lynn.