Women in Music Are Taking the Mic, But Not in the Way You Think

In music, silence is never empty—it’s intentional. It’s the pause before a powerful chorus or the breath that gives shape to a note. Musicians, more than most, understand the value of listening. They train for it. Live by it. But while artists are often praised for hearing the world more clearly, they’re not always encouraged to raise their own voices. 

This is especially true when it comes to women in music. To their autonomy, their health, and the hard truths behind the curtain of fame. 

In this article, we’ll explore how the industry can learn from the same people it celebrates, namely those who’ve mastered the art of listening while facing the challenge of speaking up. 

Listening as an Art and Survival Skill

Musicians are among the most finely tuned listeners in the world. They spend years honing their ears to detect subtle tonal shifts, harmonies, dissonance, and the emotional undercurrent of a performance. 

But beyond the technical skill, listening in the music industry is also about attunement to collaborators, audiences, and cultural moments. 

Jazz ensembles riff off each other mid-performance by listening deeply. Producers and vocalists tweak a mix by listening for what’s missing. 

Even label execs are listening… albeit often for different signals, like commercial viability or viral potential. 

Listening is what makes music work. 

But there’s another, as important, side to the coin: knowing when to speak up. 

When Having a Voice Gets Complicated

When you’re a woman in the industry, speaking up isn’t always straightforward. There’s pressure to stay marketable, likable, and “easy to work with”. 

Young female artists, in particular, may be discouraged from discussing mental health, chronic pain, or anything that could be perceived as a liability. 

Two huge examples of this: 

• Taylor Swift being gently advised to sign away the right to her music at 15 years old. 
• Lady Gaga being pressured into completing world tours while in excruciating pain from fibromyalgia. 

The Cost of Silent Struggles

Think about the number of artists who push through grueling schedules, pregnancy-related complications, or side effects from medications. Often this goes on without any kind of public acknowledgment. 

This silence is mostly encouraged by industry leaders, and is not a sign of weakness in the artist at all. Rather, it’s a reflection of an industry culture that still rewards hustle over humanity. 

Thankfully, though, the silence is being broken by some well-known voices:

• Jessie J has been outspoken about her fertility struggles and how they’ve impacted her mental and physical health. 
• Halsey has detailed her experience with endometriosis and autoimmune disease, highlighting how the industry lacks support and structure for chronic health issues. 
• Solange postponed performances to recover from an autonomic disorder, only revealing the condition after years of pushing quietly through symptoms. 

The point isn’t just that health matters, but that artists shouldn’t have to choose between silence and stigma in order to be successful in their careers. 

The Risk of Going Unheard

Reproductive health is one of the most under-discussed topics in the entertainment industry. In a field where image, stamina, and reliability are prized, young women often feel pressure to manage their health without fanfare. 

This is particularly so when they’re using hormonal birth control options. 

Long-acting contraceptives like Depo-Provera have been used by many artists and creatives to manage both family planning and performance scheduling. The birth control injection is effective for up to 12 weeks, which gives artists more freedom and flexibility. 

But for some, these types of solutions come at a cost. 

Recent attention around the massive Depo-Provera lawsuit settlements has highlighted the increased risk of serious health issues linked to the progestin-based contraceptive. 

According to TorHoerman Law, manufacturers failed to provide clear warnings about the increased risks. As a result, many women now face devastating conditions, like: 

• Bone density loss
• Brain tumors
• Spinal tumors
• Other neurological effects

These aren’t just side effects. Conditions of this nature can affect a musician’s posture, breath control, or ability to endure long sessions in the studio and on stage. 

At its worst, it’ll ruin their careers entirely. 

While concerns such as these are kept under wraps, artists are left to suffer in silence. Speaking up, in this context, isn’t just about justice, but power. 

The birth control lawsuits are about reclaiming control over one’s body, health, and for many, their creative future as well. 

Sound Checks for the Soul

To truly shift the culture, we need more than whisper networks. We need amplification. That can look like: 

• Mentoring programs where experienced musicians talk openly about self-advocacy in health and career. 
• Label policies that protect artists and give them space for recovery without jeopardizing their future in the business. 
• Collaborative industry dialogue about creating sustainable careers, not just chart-topping ones. 

Musicians have always had the ability to move people, stir hearts, and provide the soundtrack to revolutions. This time the revolution is their own, and it’ll have a bigger impact if we all learn the words to back them up.