Just wondering how people feel about the comment below that was posted as a response to the Time Out London article:
"The topic of Gender has been hotly debated here in the states. I've clearly been on the receiving end of some harsh words due to some not so "politically correct" comments I made on the disparity between females and males in relation to receiving PROMO's and exclusive released of tunes from producers, as well as Booking opportunites.
The gist of my commentary was that women seemed to have the upper hand as more of the male producers seemed much more willing to share their music with budding female DJs as opposed to more established ( skill, longevity, etc) male DJ's/Promoters. I am NOT taking anything away from the women, I simply want to note that MEN (in general) will behave differently towards women ( especially those whom they find attractive) then they would a Male.
This difference seemed to me to be evident in relation to Dubstep producers distribution of pre-released material. Am I sour because of it, well no, I'm simply exploring the matter. I've always supported up and coming DJ's (male and female) at my parties and gender is never a factor, I've never publicized an event as "the first female..." it was about giving the dj an opportunity to get some immediate "crowd" feedback on their development once they got the basics down.
This is an interesting yet sensitive topic but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. the best bit for me was [quoute] "...but to have booked them early on the basis of their gender would be doing them a disservice". It would have been very easy for Ms. Hobbs to immediately showcase women solely based on gender but she chose to let quality and skill, dictate the invite, not gender. I question the rationale behind the choices made by male producers and promoters who are in a similar position.
While I agree that gender should not be a factor, I believe that it does play a part for some. Now, before I get a bunch of male producers/ promoters and women in the scene calling foul, let me say that my commentary is strictly an observational view on the subject. This is not about right or wrong, I am not discrediting those women who receive those "gifts" and/or the opportunity to play big events. I'm simply holding male behavior in relation to this subject up to the light. Kate thank you again for a thoroughly enjoyable article.
<a>Jam-2 [Jamal Kirk]</a> is a Promoter/Producer/DJ who host's Boston's Monthly Mixed genre party called OPERATION UNDERGROUND" in Boston Massachusetts USA he also maintains the bostondubstep.com blog and can be found on myspace at the address listed below.
www.myspace.com/operationunderground"
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Oh. And here are some excerpts from a letter the same person wrote me on April 22, 2008. He shouldn't mind me sharing since he's 'keeping it real' and all:
"Gender Bias in Music particularly DJs?. I don't expect you to recognize the effect of GENDER. very few women do. In the same way I don't expect you to recognize the effect being BLACK as it relates to careers. Thats not to down you, I seriously don't expect you to. I feel the same way when people suggest that affirmative action is why I may have a particular Job but my resume, qualifications and level of mastery in a particular field speaks volumes. Affirmative action MY ASS! so I feel you. However race in the workplace vs Gender in the DJ realm aren't on the same page.
Gender bias is something I've explored and debated on many levels for several decades. Trust me , you have NO idea what the presence of a woman does to the psychology and physiology of a man, Most MEN don't even know nor can they articulate it. I can and do, it is indescribable and damn near impossible to convey. Add to that, Mans competitive nature and you have the building blocks of why I would say something like that, Estrogen comment*, and that no one else would vocalize any of it quite in the manner I would, well that's just me. I'm cursed that way, But I rather be hated for being REAL than Loved as a fake. I simply can't compromise my values like that. my comment says more about MALE behaviour than women, it doesn't fault women DJs or challenge their ability"
"their is a psychological difference in how men view women when women are in roles that are ( again for lack of a better term) "traditionally or more commonly male" . It doesn't negate the struggle for women for equality not at all, but I seriously think that a lot of the the struggle is CHEMICAL and it's lives inside of MEN and I'm not talking sexual chemistry, its deeper than than that MUCH deeper. I get how you may think its a discredit, seriously, but my observation is far beyond some dumb boy who wants to call shenannigans over breasts and thighs."
"I never claim to be a DJ and there are reasons why. You are in that arena, and the stench you begin smell is DJ (male hormones raging wildly, competing and conquering and destroying.. just what Man does best, there are a few who operate outside their egos, i thought I found a few but clearly I was wrong. You can write me off as crazy if you like perhaps, I am, but I call it as I see it."
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*the 'Estrogen comment' was Jamal mentioning in one of my blogs that Estrogen 'appears to be like kryptonite to dubstep producers'.
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