Gender Disparity in the DJ Booth: A2D2 Study Sheds Light on Female DJs’ Double Effort”

Gender Disparity in the DJ Booth

A2D2 Study Sheds Light on Female DJs’ Double Effort

In a recent study conducted by music tech company A2D2, it was revealed that female DJs are seemingly putting in twice the effort to secure recognition compared to their male counterparts. Drawing data from DJ Mag’s Top 100, the study disclosed that despite a mere 11 female artists gracing the prestigious list, these women account for a substantial 40% of the top 10 hardest-working DJs.

Digging deeper into the numbers, A2D2 uncovered a stark reality: female DJs are logging nearly double the gig hours when compared to their male counterparts. On average, male DJs notched up 13 gigs in 2023, while their female counterparts were on the stage for an impressive 23 shows. This significant gap in performance statistics underscores the relentless determination of female DJs to carve their mark in an industry historically dominated by men.

This revelation comes in the wake of a 2021 study by Protectivity, which highlighted a disheartening statistic: only 21% of artists performing at major UK festivals that year were female or female-identifying. The persistent underrepresentation of women in the music industry remains a critical issue.

According to the A2D2 report, the musical landscape of the UK in 2023 was predominantly shaped by the beats of house and techno. Additionally, the study noted a rising popularity of German and Belgian DJs, signaling a shift in the global music scene.

Unveiling the hardest-working DJ of 2023, the study crowned Claptone with a staggering 94 gigs across 33 countries, averaging a mind-boggling one set every four days. However, it’s worth noting that suspicions have long lingered about Claptone’s solo status, with speculations suggesting collaborations with other DJs to perform simultaneous shows worldwide.

As the music industry grapples with ongoing gender disparities, A2D2’s comprehensive study sheds light on the challenges faced by female DJs and their undeterred determination to thrive in a competitive environment. For a detailed exploration of the study’s findings, you can access the full report from A2D2 here.