PinkPantheress Highlights Bias Against Black Women In Electronic Music

PinkPantheress, a British electronic music artist, has spoken candidly about the challenges she faces as a Black woman in a genre where her work is often overlooked or dismissed. Despite her critical and commercial success, including her mixtape Fancy That reaching No. 4 on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart and receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Kent, she feels that industry biases and rigid genre expectations limit her opportunities and recognition. She notes that people are less willing to listen to electronic music made by Black women, which affects playlist placements, festival bookings, and general acceptance. PinkPantheress emphasizes her commitment to authenticity and consistency, intentionally challenging industry norms to prove skeptics wrong. Her experience echoes broader issues faced by Black women artists in non-traditional genres, highlighting ongoing barriers in the music industry. Ultimately, she calls for greater understanding and openness to diverse artistic identities within electronic music.