Research carried out by UBC reveals that, in 2023, among the 100 artists with the highest income, only 13 will be women
The 2024 edition of the study For They Who Make the Musiccarried out by Brazilian Union of Composers (UBC), highlights the ongoing challenge to achieve gender equality in the music sector. Released on International Women’s Day, March 8, the report provides a detailed analysis of female participation in the music industry, revealing an alarming fact: despite the increase in the number of women associated with the entity, the income allocated to women remained at a mere 10 % of total copyright distributed among all holders.
Among the 100 associates with the highest income in the last year, only 13 are women, highlighting the persistent gender disparity. Of these, the one that recorded the highest receipt occupies only 21st position on the list, highlighting the fight for equality in the distribution of copyrights. Women’s financial participation in music reflects a worrying stagnation, despite the significant increase in the number of women associated with music. UBCwhich saw 186% growth in seven years.
The comparative analysis with data between 2022 and 2023 shows a varied dynamic in the income of women and men in different segments of the music market. Specifically, women’s participation in total income by category was 10% for Digital, 14% for Radio, 10% for Show, 6% for open TV, 8% for closed TV and 15% for Others.
In the Digital areas (including streaming platforms), Radio and Others (including party houses, Carnival, Festa Junina, among others), female participation compared to men decreased by 1 percentage point. On the other hand, in the shows segment, there was an increase of 1 percentage point, while in the open TV and closed TV segments, the numbers remained stable.
Boom in festivals and shows increases women’s income and live events
Still a reflection of the post-pandemic increase in events and festivals, the concert segment, alone, registered significant growth of 11 percentage points, reaching 20%, among women’s sources of income. Contrasting with a decrease of 4.5 percentage points for closed TV and 4 percentage points for Others. The disparity highlights changes in the landscape of music consumption and, consequently, income for women in music, highlighting areas of growth and challenge.
The geographic distribution of the company’s associates UBC still shows a concentration in the Northeast, South and Southeast, which together account for 87% of the total number of members, highlighting the lack of female representation in music in the Central-West and North regions of the country. The female presence in the database UBC saw a slight increase to 17%. The majority of members are aged between 18 and 40, representing 61% of the general workforce of women.
Participation of women as producers, authors and version writers registers growth
Last year, a significant number of works and phonograms with female participation were registered, with highlights being the registration of phonograms by phonographic producers, increasing by 17%, and the registration of works by authors and versionists, growing by 12%. This trend highlights the growing influence of women in all areas of music production, beyond the traditional role of singer and performer.
By focusing on the comparison of income between women and men, in specific categories, the report indicates that the participation of women in total income by category represents 10% authors, phonographic producers 15%, version artists 20%, interpreters 16%, and musicians only 6%. Registering a relevant growth in female participation, in the order of 8 percentage points for Recording Producers, 3 percentage points for Versionists, and 1 percentage point for both Authors and Performers.
The search For Those Who Make Music 2024is available in full on the UBC website.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
