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Paris Hilton is named Female DJ of the Year
Other | Thursday 13th November 2014 | edhowe
Top 100 lists and awards ironically cause more anger and controversy than merit most of the time. Awards are not supposed to be about the winner, but a platform to promote and represent a diverse array of talented artists that deserve recognition. However as we all know this is often not the case. Take DJ mag for example -between 2007 and 2011, only one female featured in 2010. Fast-forward to 2014 and the worldwide DJ magazine still has not learnt its lesson, with no females in the top 100. You would struggle to find an artist who is not a white European/ American EDM DJ. Yes, you could argue the system is fair as these lists are taken to a vote, but the fact that these websites and magazines consistently offer minimal representation for female artists makes the list, and industry, unfair.
Now NRJ, an EDM based French radio station with over 3 million likes on Facebook, has thought of a solution to solve this problem, introducing a ‘Revelation Feminine De L’Annee’ aka Female DJ of the Year Award. There are two huge problems with this award. Number one and the most instantly obvious; Paris Hilton is number one this year. Whether this is an ironic or genuine vote, it is disturbing. Granted, the celebrity-turned-DJ is not a particularly new issue within the dance music industry, but it really undermines the integrity of the female DJs and producers who genuinely work hard to perfect their craft - women like Mary Anne Hobbs, Monki, B-Traits, Kito, Kate Simko, Heidi, Cassy, Maya Jane Coles, Nina Kraviz, Annie Mac, Mokadem, Barely Legal, Donna Love, Ellen Alien and Flava D to name a few.
The second - and arguably much sadder - fact is that there is perceived to be a need for a separate award category for female DJs. A Female DJ of the Year award clearly outlines the opinion many uphold: that female DJs could not possibly compete with the men in such a male dominated industry. Presenting separate awards for females each year is a token, cute gesture to the fact that they exist.
Considering that DJs and electronic music have a large influence on popular and youth culture, it is worrying that in 2014 popular sites such as NRJ are so pitifully behind. For how long world-class female DJs will battle for the recognition they deserve is uncertain, but for now, it is clear there is little that can be deemed ‘progressive’ within this scene at the moment.
