The music industry has recently been the center of change and controversy. In a world that is quickly evolving and adapting to new societal norms, it can come as a shock that certain industries have yet to keep up quite as fast. Specifically, it has quite a ways to go when it comes to gender bias.

It is not much of a secret that both fans and professionals play a role in the reason why gender equality has yet to be reached within the world of music. The issue is partially due to fans who embrace stereotypes within genres instead of combating them, as well as managers in the industry abusing their power. However, there are many female artists right now breaking down barriers in terms of gender, culture, and the double standard. And while the media does strive to focus on mainstream artists who are making a difference, artists outside of the pop genre have equally important messages. To provide some examples, Megan Thee Stallion and Kacey Musgraves are two who specifically stand out.

As a young female rapper in a competitive industry, Megan Thee Stallion already has countless impressive achievements under her belt. She became the first woman to join 300 Entertainment, the Lyor Cohen- and Kevin Liles-founded record label, joining popular male artists such as Fetty Wap and Migos. Her lyrics challenge popular sexist concepts and remarks, creating a way for people to both subconsciously and knowingly pay attention to the messages that matter most. Meg uses her lyrics to stand up for women regardless of societal norms. In her collaboration with Normani for “Diamonds,” she raps: “You want me to be a little more ladylike?” with a sarcastic follow-up lyric in response. The “Hot Girl Summer” rapper is also combating the stigmas surrounding the education status of artists in the industry. She is currently pursuing a career in Health Administration at Texas Southern University despite the assumption that artists have to choose between getting an education and pursuing a career as an artist. Meg has defied these odds, showing that education and being an artist are not mutually exclusive.

Another female artist paving the way is someone who has been in the business for awhile but just recently has received the recognition she deserves: Kacey Musgraves. Not only does her music bring people together, but it touches on the realities of growing up without a filter. She is not one to pretend that everything is rainbows and butterflies, though her song titles may say otherwise. Musgraves goes against stigmas within the music industry and is committed to sparking change that needs to occur. Her debut single, “Follow Your Arrow,” was originally released and sent to radio back in 2013. And while the track received some mainstream popularity, it more importantly turned Musgraves into an LGBTQ ally and broke barriers within country music. She went somewhere no one had gone before in regards to the messages presented within that genre. Before sexuality and accepting yourself was widely promoted in mainstream music, Musgraves made it a priority. An ongoing theme of acceptance is something that listeners have experienced for years through her lyrics. She advocates for inclusivity and acceptance, a subject that is generally ignored within country music. Her pop-country sound has been criticized by countless critics as not being country at all. And despite the judgment, Musgraves does not spend time thinking about what genre her music is. Her creative decisions both sonically and lyrically have pushed the boundaries of country music and brought light to inclusivity in a genre that has struggled to keep up with societal changes.

The time for change in popular industries is now. Female artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Kacey Musgraves have made successful strides to change the music industry for the better. With heavy focus on using their platform for good, these two artists, as well as countless others, are breaking down barriers faced by their respective genres and the industry as a whole. Their attention to detail has supported a shift in gender bias, not only within the music industry but in the world. By not conforming to the norms set by the industry and society, they are changing the way music fans and professionals in the industry are now viewing and analyzing artists and their lyrics. Pushing these boundaries may be risky, but every woman who has committed to taking that leap of faith is changing the industry one step at a time.

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