Deezer: Women represent 4% of top 100 streamed electronic artists

The company released the data as part of its efforts to help shine a light on the many challenges that women face in the music industry, ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March. The streaming figures are based on the past 12 months and exclude mixed-gender bands across key genres worldwide.

Electronic had the least representation of female musicians, followed by rock and hip hop, which were both 7%. Pop boasts the highest representation by female artists at 42%, closely followed by R&B (39%) and soul (26%). Women representation in other genres included alternative (15%), country (15%), jazz (14%) and classical (11%).

Deezer’s initiatives in support of female artists will include new exclusive women’s content that will be launched on International Women’s Day. The content will include additional information around issues of female representation in the music industry, facts about female artists and playlists under the Women’s Voices collection, which will also feature Originals Sessions. Additionally, the Women Behind the Music playlist series will promote the songwriters, producers and musicians who have contributed to international hits. Each woman will have her own playlist featuring her own tracks.

The music streaming platform will also unveil an all-women playlist series to champion female electronic music artists and a playlist curated by artists such as Celine Dion, Sia, Olivia Newton-John and Sharon Van Etten – exclusively for Deezer high-fidelity listeners.

“We all know the diversity issues in the music industry and how much work still needs to be done,” Deezer head of global music programming Kim Weaver said. “Women are not only underpaid, they’re also under-streamed and represent less than 20% of listening in over half of our most popular genres. We want to champion female artists and give them opportunities to shine on our platform. That’s why the Women’s Voices collection will have a permanent home on Deezer moving forward.”

Additionally, Deezer revealed some of last year’s statistics on streaming, including the top 20 most streamed South African women in South Africa, the top 20 most streamed international women globally, the top 20 most streamed South African songs by local women and the top 20 most streamed international tracks by women globally.

View the four lists below:

The top 20 most streamed South African women locally of 2020

• Elaine
• Demi Lee Moore
• Ami Faku
• Kelly Khumalo
• Simmy
• Ntokozo Mbambo
• Juanita Du Plessis
• DJ Zinhle
• Karlien Van Jaarsveld
• Hlengiwe Mhlaba
• Thabsie
• Lady Zamar
• Andriette
• Rebecca Malope
• Sho Madjozi
• Leah
• Brenda Fassie
• Janie Bay
• Tasche
• Berita

The top 20 most streamed international women globally of 2020

• Billie Eilish
• Dua Lipa
• Lady Gaga
• Ariana Grande
• Aya Nakamura
• Tones and I
• Rihanna
• Beyoncé
• Sia
• Taylor Swift
• Doja Cat
• Ava Max
• Céline Dion
• Anitta
• Katy Perry
• Shakira
• Adele
• Lana Del Rey
• Selena Gomez
• Alicia Keys

The top 20 most streamed South African tracks by women locally of 2020

• 'You’re the One' – Elaine
• 'Umlilo' – DJ Zinhle
• 'Risky' – Elaine
• 'Empini' – Kelly Khumalo
• 'Sphesihle' – Thabsie
• 'Ubuhle Bakho' – Ami Faku
• 'Neon Moon' Demi Lee Moore
• 'I/You' – Elaine
• 'Changes' – Elaine
• 'Ngihamba Nawe' ft. Sino Msolo – Simmy
• 'Say It' – Elaine
• 'John Cena' – Sho Madjozi
• 'When We’re Alone' – Elaine
• 'I Just Wanna Know' – Elaine
• 'Ek Noem Jou MYNE (Cross My Heart)' – Leah
• 'Collide' – Lady Zamar
• 'Interlude-Zulu Worship Medley Live' – Ntokozo Mbambo
• Inde Lendlela' – Ami Faku
• 'Die Heelal' ft. Early B – Janie Bay
• 'Finally' – Thabsie

The top 20 most streamed international tracks by women globally of 2020

• 'Dance Monkey' – Tones and I
• 'Don't Start Now' – Dua Lipa
• 'Bad Guy' – Billie Eilish
• 'Say So' – Doja Cat
• 'Physical' – Dua Lipa
• 'Some Say' – Nea
• 'Everything I Wanted' – Billie Eilish
• 'Break My Heart' – Dua Lipa
• 'Kings & Queens' – Ava Max
• 'Rain On Me' – Lady Gaga
• 'Jolie Nana' – Aya Nakamura
• 'Lovely' – Billie Eilish
• 'Stupid Love' – Lady Gaga
• '40%' – Aya Nakamura
• 'WAP' – Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• 'Combatchy' ft. MC Rebecca – Anitta
• 'Salt' – Ava Max
• 'Cheap Thrills' ft. Sean Paul – Sia
• '7 Rings' – Ariana Grande
• 'Supalonely' – BENEE