USC Report Finds Women Still Underrepresented in Music Industry, Gains Minimal

A recent report from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative highlights that while women in the music industry maintained their representation in 2024, significant progress remains elusive. Women accounted for 37.7% of artists on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, a slight increase from previous years, yet female songwriters and producers saw minimal gains, with only 18.9% and 5.9% representation, respectively. The percentage of women nominated in key Grammy categories stands at just 22.7%, despite the presence of many female artists in top nominations. Dr. Stacy L. Smith, who authored the report, emphasized that the lack of improvement indicates that the industry is stagnant rather than making meaningful strides towards gender equality. Notably, women of color in songwriting positions saw a decrease, contrasting with earlier gains. Stakeholders are urged to collaborate with advocacy groups to enhance opportunities for women in music production and songwriting roles.