Although the relationship between feminism and music is a constant, evolving conversation, 2013 was packed with important events that prompted even more discussion than usual. From written manifestos to the twerk seen around the world, these were some of the highs and lows for women in music this year.
Don't forget to head over to our 2013 in Lists section for more Year-End fun.
YAY!:
Grimes takes feminist manifestos from zines to Tumblr:
Taking a page from the Riot Grrrl handbook, Grimes wrote an impassioned manifesto on her Tumblr decrying sexism in the music industry, calling out everyone from the media to male peers for disrespecting and discriminating against her.
Chvrches call out nasty online commenters:
Similarly, Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches wrote a piece for The Guardian speaking out against online misogyny. After being bombarded by an onslaught of threatening and sexually offensive messages, Mayberry struck back, stating that the behaviour is not something women should have to settle for and "deal with."
Female prominence across all genres:
From pop to R&B, female artists made a prominent impression on music — from Lady Gaga and Katy Perry's spotlights on the mainstream charts to Sky Ferreira, Janelle Monáe, Marnie Stern and Neko Case, women helped shape the musical landscape of the year. Even in Canada, we had remarkable releases from Braids, Austra, Sarah Neufeld, Zaki Ibrahim and Lindi Ortega.
Kathleen Hanna returns with the Julie Ruin:
After a nine-year absence from the music scene, Riot Grrrl icon Kathleen Hanna returned to music with new/revived band the Julie Ruin. A film documenting the life of the feminist activist also premiered this year at SXSW, revealing that Hanna actually took time away from her career because she was diagnosed with late-stage Lyme disease, but has chosen to focus on music once again.
Rising pop stars embrace feminism:
Newcomers Haim and Lorde both enjoyed mainstream success this year with their debuts. But where pop giants like Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson have publicly denied being a feminist, this crop of new artists are embracing the powerful F-word and its empowering ideologies.
Find the negative aspects of the Year in Music for Women on the next page. BOO!:
Robin Thicke becomes a feminist's nightmare:
"Blurred Lines" drew criticism for its "rapey" and misogynistic lyrics, not to mention its uncensored video featuring naked women strutting around fully-clothed men (Thicke, Pharrell, T.I.). Thicke's responses, from okaying the lyrics because they were supposedly written about his wife, Paula Patton, to claiming the song as "a feminist movement within itself," didn't help.
Pussy Riot Aftermath:
Following the aftermath of one of 2012's biggest news stories, three members of Russian feminist collective Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in jail for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility." Yekaterina Samutsevich has since been released, but Maria Alyokhina remains in prison and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova has been transferred to a penal colony in Siberia.
Yeezus and rap's ongoing misogyny problem:
Misogynistic lyrics have plagued rap music for years, but 2013 had a bevy of controversial headlines; Rick Ross and Lil Wayne both lost endorsement deals after horribly offensive lyrics on guest spots. Then there was Yeezus, one of the biggest, most critically acclaimed albums of the year, which drew an abundance of negative press for its misogynistic lyrics.
Sky Ferreira gets pegged as a drug addict:
After pop artist Sky Ferreira and boyfriend Cole Smith of DIIV were arrested for possession of ecstasy and heroin (as well as a litany of other charges), Ferreira received the brunt of the criticism. "It was totally taken out of context," she told Rolling Stone. "[…] because I'm the girl, I'm the face of this story. It's way more scandalous to have a girl with drugs than a guy in a band with drugs. It's the double standard."
One step forward, two steps back for Lily Allen and Miley Cyrus:
Both Miley Cyrus and Lily Allen received a flurry of attention for well-intentioned behaviour — Cyrus's sexual freedom of expression through twerking and Allen's comeback single "Hard Out There," which calls out sexism in the music industry — but were ultimately slammed for their use of African-American women as props or satire that further perpetuate stereotypes instead of providing well thought-out social commentary.
Don't forget to head over to our 2013 in Lists section for more Year-End fun.
YAY!:
Grimes takes feminist manifestos from zines to Tumblr:
Taking a page from the Riot Grrrl handbook, Grimes wrote an impassioned manifesto on her Tumblr decrying sexism in the music industry, calling out everyone from the media to male peers for disrespecting and discriminating against her.
Chvrches call out nasty online commenters:
Similarly, Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches wrote a piece for The Guardian speaking out against online misogyny. After being bombarded by an onslaught of threatening and sexually offensive messages, Mayberry struck back, stating that the behaviour is not something women should have to settle for and "deal with."
Female prominence across all genres:
From pop to R&B, female artists made a prominent impression on music — from Lady Gaga and Katy Perry's spotlights on the mainstream charts to Sky Ferreira, Janelle Monáe, Marnie Stern and Neko Case, women helped shape the musical landscape of the year. Even in Canada, we had remarkable releases from Braids, Austra, Sarah Neufeld, Zaki Ibrahim and Lindi Ortega.
Kathleen Hanna returns with the Julie Ruin:
After a nine-year absence from the music scene, Riot Grrrl icon Kathleen Hanna returned to music with new/revived band the Julie Ruin. A film documenting the life of the feminist activist also premiered this year at SXSW, revealing that Hanna actually took time away from her career because she was diagnosed with late-stage Lyme disease, but has chosen to focus on music once again.
Rising pop stars embrace feminism:
Newcomers Haim and Lorde both enjoyed mainstream success this year with their debuts. But where pop giants like Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson have publicly denied being a feminist, this crop of new artists are embracing the powerful F-word and its empowering ideologies.
Find the negative aspects of the Year in Music for Women on the next page. BOO!:
Robin Thicke becomes a feminist's nightmare:
"Blurred Lines" drew criticism for its "rapey" and misogynistic lyrics, not to mention its uncensored video featuring naked women strutting around fully-clothed men (Thicke, Pharrell, T.I.). Thicke's responses, from okaying the lyrics because they were supposedly written about his wife, Paula Patton, to claiming the song as "a feminist movement within itself," didn't help.
Pussy Riot Aftermath:
Following the aftermath of one of 2012's biggest news stories, three members of Russian feminist collective Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in jail for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility." Yekaterina Samutsevich has since been released, but Maria Alyokhina remains in prison and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova has been transferred to a penal colony in Siberia.
Yeezus and rap's ongoing misogyny problem:
Misogynistic lyrics have plagued rap music for years, but 2013 had a bevy of controversial headlines; Rick Ross and Lil Wayne both lost endorsement deals after horribly offensive lyrics on guest spots. Then there was Yeezus, one of the biggest, most critically acclaimed albums of the year, which drew an abundance of negative press for its misogynistic lyrics.
Sky Ferreira gets pegged as a drug addict:
After pop artist Sky Ferreira and boyfriend Cole Smith of DIIV were arrested for possession of ecstasy and heroin (as well as a litany of other charges), Ferreira received the brunt of the criticism. "It was totally taken out of context," she told Rolling Stone. "[…] because I'm the girl, I'm the face of this story. It's way more scandalous to have a girl with drugs than a guy in a band with drugs. It's the double standard."
One step forward, two steps back for Lily Allen and Miley Cyrus:
Both Miley Cyrus and Lily Allen received a flurry of attention for well-intentioned behaviour — Cyrus's sexual freedom of expression through twerking and Allen's comeback single "Hard Out There," which calls out sexism in the music industry — but were ultimately slammed for their use of African-American women as props or satire that further perpetuate stereotypes instead of providing well thought-out social commentary.
