PinkPantheress Reveals Challenges of Being a Black Woman in Electronic Music

People are less willing to listen to electronic music made by a Black woman, says PinkPantheress, highlighting her struggles and triumphs in the industry.

PinkPantheress Opens Up About Being Overlooked in Electronic Music

British singer, songwriter, and producer PinkPantheress recently spoke candidly about her experiences as a Black woman trying to carve out a space in the electronic music scene. Despite her viral success, she shared feeling "overlooked" and misunderstood in an industry that can be reluctant to fully embrace her unique sound.

She expressed to The Hollywood Reporter that while her hit track "Illegal" from the album Fancy That gave her a viral moment, it remains a challenge to be taken seriously and advance in the music world. "People are less willing to listen to electronic music that is made by a Black woman. That’s just fact," she admitted. "There’s some considerations I would like to get as an artist which I might not be getting right now, since maybe it’s harder to put me into a genre."

Meeting Icons and Embracing Inspiration

PinkPantheress also reflected on meeting Hayley Williams from Paramore, an artist she deeply admires. These moments feel surreal and precious to her. "When I have these pinch me moments, it’s like, ‘Wow, I really need to hold on to this, because I don’t know when the next one will be,'" she shared.

She admitted that breaking through and rising within the ranks is still tougher for her compared to others.

A Proud Voice in Alt-Pop and Drum’n’Bass

Back in 2023, PinkPantheress celebrated representing a unique blend of alt-pop and drum’n’bass as a Black woman. She acknowledged the importance of Black artists in pioneering genres, saying, “It’s another example of Black people managing to spearhead a whole genre of music, and I’m really glad I’m the one doing that.”

Her influences range from Lily Allen to Imogen Heap and Kaytranada, who she cites as a major inspiration. PinkPantheress also gave a shout-out to Nia Archives, another Black woman making waves in drum’n’bass before her.

Cutting Through the Mainstream

Following the release of Fancy That, which has been recognized among the best albums of 2025, PinkPantheress feels she's "cutting through" the mainstream and finds herself in a privileged musical position. Yet, she notes that she still often feels overlooked because many don’t understand or want to acknowledge what she represents.

“Having that person challenging the way a pop star should look or be — which is what I do, unintentionally and sometimes intentionally — it just doesn’t translate to a lot of people.”
— PinkPantheress

A post shared by PinkPantheress on Instagram demonstrating her connection with fans.

Balancing Authenticity and Defying Expectations

PinkPantheress continues to surprise her followers beyond music. She recently joked that her life feels like a series of "side missions" after receiving an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Kent. Plus, she made news for winning a trophy in a chess tournament for players under 25.

Her philosophy is straightforward: stay authentic and consistent. But she also loves proving skeptics wrong. "And occasionally, what I enjoy doing is [saying], ‘Well actually, I’m gonna prove you wrong, and I’m gonna do this, you are gonna like it.’ And then once you like it, you’re gonna realize: ‘Wait, I don’t know why I never gave her a chance in the first place.’”

Conclusion

PinkPantheress's journey shines a light on the challenges and triumphs of being a Black woman in electronic music. Her story invites us to reflect: How can the music industry become more inclusive and open to diverse voices breaking genre molds?

FAQs

• How does PinkPantheress describe the reception of Black women in electronic music?
  She explains that people are often less willing to listen to electronic music made by Black women, making it harder for her to get recognized.
• Who are some of PinkPantheress’s musical influences?
  Her influences include Lily Allen, Imogen Heap, Kaytranada, and Nia Archives.
• What does PinkPantheress say about authenticity?
  She emphasizes staying authentic and consistent while enjoying proving doubters wrong with her music.
• Has PinkPantheress received any honors outside of music?
  Yes, she was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by the University of Kent and won a trophy at an under-25 chess tournament.
• What genre does PinkPantheress blend in her music?
  She combines elements of alt-pop and drum’n’bass to create her unique sound.

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