Your ‘Diversity Efforts’ Might Actually Be Doing the Opposite
So, everyone loves to talk about diversity, so let’s talk about it frfr. Here are some examples of what feels like lazy diversity and inclusion IMO:
Creating a separate label or playlist to support artists for any given month. Just add them to your most engaged playlist—that’s real diversity. Otherwise, it leans closer to unexpected segregation. Why can’t you funnel that engagement to the people you want to support? If they’re marginalized and you create a new playlist for fans to follow, half of them may not even see it. It’s easier to ask someone to opt out rather than opt in.
Instead, keep that separate playlist, sure, but also add the songs you’d put there into your main playlist for that month. Let the main playlist be themed for the month—it’s more impactful.
Pictured: Me tired af after MMW
Same thing for shows. “Oh, we have a South Asian lineup! Let’s gooooo! You’re booked because your skin color matches the other artist also playing!!!” Wowwwww. Yeah, no. Instead, add people to lineups because they’re talented. And if you want to support talent that isn’t traditionally seen in dance music, put them on regular lineups. Bonus points if you don’t say anything about it. Let your actions speak for themselves.
Examples of good diversity in dance music I’ve been a part of:
Jai Ho on Hood politics records with sherm. This wasn’t a “bollywood” edit back. it was a party edit back and this HAPPENED to be south asign influenced.
Dim mak releasing and promoting artists of color, latin artists and other artists that DO NOT have the power to showcase their art to a wide audience even outside of the dedicated months.
there’s definatley more but im blanking rn
Thank god I’ve been working with labels that get this, like Dim Mak, Space Yacht, and Hood Politics. But just keep an eye out this year.
Also, it’s wild how some people love to talk about bandwagon fans or DJs. Like, either someone likes an artist just because they’re popular, or they start making a type of sound because it’s trending. Honestly, nothing wrong with that IMO. Someone will enjoy it, someone else will try to capitalize on it—but at the end of the day, at least the art is spreading wider, right?
Everything isn’t black and white, but this is something I’ve been thinking about over the years as I’ve watched diversity and inclusion efforts in the scene. I know we can do better. So next time you’re planning an event or putting together a playlist for Pride Month, Women’s History Month, or Black History Month, slow down and ask yourself: Do I want to further segregate people? Or can I find a way to incorporate them into my curated experiences throughout the year instead?
Maybe that month is about highlighting them on your main channels.
Tbh, this is a note for me too, as I grow my own label, House Techno Authority, from the ground up.