The podcast, Still Processing (with Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris of the NY Times), brought up the idea of genius. They said that the label of genius is overwhelmingly given to men and while artists like Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, and Beyonce changed the course of music they aren't held in the same light as other musicians that are men who have done the same.

It wasn't until a Billboard study that came out last year that researched the gender demographics that I realized how overwhelming male the music industry is. Since men are framing the conversations of music criticism and male culture is unfortunately littered with biases against women it seems reasonable that the common definition of musical genius discounts the accomplishments and innovations of women.

I know I'm guilty of this as well. It's rare to see women instrumentalists and also songwriters and producers. All of the popular and great artists who are great musicians that I know of, except for MeShell, are all vocalists and I tend to poopoo vocalists for whatever reason.

After I thought about their comments and my own attitudes it seemed clear that the point is valid. What do you all think?

<--- Me when my head hits the pillow