Women in Music: The Power of Mentorship and Community

‍“In an industry where gender disparities still exist, it’s essential that we continue fostering connections that empower women to thrive, break barriers, and reshape the landscape for future generations.” - Tiéce Edwards, Snap & Boom

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of community, recognising achievements, acknowledging challenges, and fostering conversations about gender inequality. In the music industry, these conversations remain critical, spanning pay gaps, lack of representation, and the barriers women face in establishing themselves as artists or industry professionals.

While the presence of women in music is growing with the latest UK Musicians’ Census reporting that 53.8% of their latest survey respondents identified as women, discrimination remains widespread. More than half of female musicians report experiencing gender-based challenges, and they still earn nearly 10% less than their male counterparts.

For many, the key to navigating these hurdles is mentorship and community. We spoke with four incredible women in the industry: professionals Tiéce Edwards and Andrea Dee, and independent artists EMiDORA and Tequisha, who shared their experiences and insights on the importance of uplifting others through mentorship, advocacy, and building networks of support.

‍The challenges women still face

Despite perceived progress, the music industry still has a long way to go to achieve gender equality for artists and professionals. For Tiéce, founder of artist development agency Snap & Boom, the challenges are as structural as they are personal.

‍“There are well-known challenges, such as the pay gap and the disparity in opportunities for women - issues that, frankly, shouldn’t still exist. How hard can it be to treat women fairly? Unfortunately, this inequality is even more pronounced for Black and Brown women.”

She also highlights an issue of perception and competition: “There’s this notion that if one female founder is excelling, another can’t be just as successful or isn’t needed because we ‘already have one.’ I see this with artists too - festival bookers hesitate to programme two South Asian women on the same lineup because they ‘already have one.’ It’s a frustrating mindset that completely disregards the diversity of talent and creativity these artists bring.”

For Tequisha, a BBC Introducing-featured artist, the industry still forces women into narrow expectations.

‍“The music industry wasn’t structured in a way that champions women’s success without moulding and shaping them to fit specific ideals. I often get told that I should be in a certain genre based on the way I look - which, when you say it out loud, actually sounds absurd.”

‍Why mentorship matters

Whether you’re trying to establish yourself in the music industry, or you have years of experience under your belt, there is no rulebook on the best way to navigate your career, which is why mentorship is so important. 

For Tiéce, mentorship is about uplifting one another and shifting the industry towards inclusivity.

‍“Having a strong, supportive network creates a space where we can uplift, share knowledge, and champion each other’s successes. In an industry where gender disparities still exist, it’s essential that we continue fostering connections that empower women to thrive.”

Andrea Dee founded Amplify Her to support and elevate women in the music industry by creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering community.

‍“My goal is to help each mentee achieve their dreams - guiding them to trust what truly feels right rather than what the ego thinks should be. Success in this industry requires adaptability, knowing when to pivot, and staying aligned with one’s authentic path.”

For electro-pop artist EMiDORA, mentorship was a personal turning point. She credits Tiffany Jade, project leader at the Circle of Light Youth Music Charity, for helping her develop confidence and connect with other creatives. Now, she gives back by mentoring new participants herself.

‍“Tiff has had a huge impact on my journey, both as a mentor and an inspiration… she’s constantly creating opportunities for more people like me to find their path in music.”

‍Women changing the game

Women in music are not just advocating for change - they are actively building the spaces they wished existed. Through Amplify Her, Andrea is creating a platform where women in music can find support, collaboration, and safety: “Our mission is to support and elevate women in the industry by creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering community. Through live events, songwriting camps, and networking opportunities, we provide a platform for women to connect, collaborate, and showcase their talent.”

Similarly, Snap & Boom, led by Tiéce, is dedicated to elevating underrepresented voices in music. Many of her clients are female artists, and she makes it a priority to ensure they feel empowered throughout their careers.

‍“Snap & Boom’s mission is to amplify and empower those who are often underrepresented or misrepresented in the industry. That commitment is reflected in everything we do - from the way we work to the services we offer.”

Initiatives like Balance the Mix, which promotes gender equity in music production, PEAK Music UK, providing female songwriters and producers with essential skills and visibility, and SHESAID.SO, a global independent community of women and gender nonconforming people in the music industry, are further proof that women are leading change at every level of the industry.

Music industry advice 

Beyond individual mentorship, there’s a need for a collective shift in the industry’s approach to inclusion and Tiéce stresses the importance of real accountability.

‍“Be open to learning and continuously improving your approach to diversity and inclusivity. We need to be more conscious of representation and take real accountability. Feedback and constructive criticism are invaluable tools for growth.”

Andrea urges businesses to take a hard look at their own structures:

‍“Change shouldn’t be a one-time effort, it should be ongoing. Look at your festival lineups, record label rosters, and hiring practices. Who is missing? Why? Inclusion is the key to universal success and everyone has something valuable to say; you just have to listen.”

From an artist’s perspective, EMiDORA has built a strong community of female peers through social media and emphasises the importance of building genuine connections while cutting out toxic relationships.

‍“My social feed is mostly women producers, and many of my real-life contacts are women in all roles within the industry. I think it can be really difficult to connect with people in music because of the community’s commercial nature. Find someone you can make a real, genuine connection with and build from there… And if something doesn't seem right about someone or a situation, cut it off immediately - there’s nothing wrong with a good mute on Instagram (or block).”

Tequisha agrees, adding: “Being yourself really is the most important part - being present and actually getting to know the people you cross paths with, rather than having hollow interactions. The music industry can sometimes feel overtly transactional, but it’s easy to forget that as much as you may feel this, someone else may too. We’re all human.”

The barriers women face in music are real, but so is the power of community. Through mentorship, advocacy, and initiatives that prioritise inclusivity, women are creating space for themselves, and each other, on their own terms. It’s an honour to be surrounded by such inspirational women in the music industry and to continue building a community of strong, capable women who uplift and support one another.