PinkPanthress Thinks the Industry is Racist to Female Black Electronic Musicians

In the evolving landscape of electronic music, PinkPantheress stands out not just for her chart-topping hits but for openly discussing the challenges she faces as a Black woman in an industry still struggling with bias.

Her May mixtape, Fancy That, gained major attention, especially the single Illegal, which went viral on TikTok and pushed her further into the mainstream. Yet, behind the success, she confronts industry dynamics and her ongoing fight for recognition.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 24-year-old artist addressed a persistent issue: the reluctance to embrace electronic music from Black women. She said:

“People are less willing to listen to electronic music that is made by a Black woman. That’s just fact.”

She expressed a desire for more “considerations,” likely meaning support like playlist spots and major festival bookings—crucial for any artist trying to break through.

Still, PinkPantheress resists fitting into any mold. “I always feel like I’m cutting through and I’m in a very privileged position musically,” she said. Staying authentic and proving doubters wrong are central to her approach: “I’m gonna do this; you are gonna like it.”

Black women have been essential to the roots and growth of electronic music, even if their contributions have often gone unrecognized. In Detroit, the birthplace of techno, K-Hand (Kelli Hand) emerged as one of the genre’s most respected figures.

Known as the “First Lady of Detroit Techno,” she broke through a male-dominated scene in the ’90s with a signature sound that was raw, rhythmic, and uncompromising.

Meanwhile, PinkPantheress made her debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing Illegal live.