Music, gender, and radio formula: female presence in Spanish Top 40 in the decade before COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction. The role of women in the History of Music has been silenced for centuries. However, their creative capacity and the wealth of their contributions have crossed the walls built by the patriarchate who, surrendering to the evidence, has been forced to accept the importance of female art. Objective. In this sense, this research has focused on making known the role of women in the field of Spanish pop-rock in the last ten years before the pandemic. Method. For this, the radio-formula Los 40 hit lists have been analysed and a comparative study has been carried out with the data obtained. Results and discussion. This analysis has allowed us to carry out an approach to the consumption quotas of pop-rock music in Spain and the role that women currently occupy in this musical genre and in its industry. Conclusions. This detailed study shows that, although the importance of women in modern popular music is indisputable, even much remains to be done and, above all, much to be recognized.