Gender construction and deconstruction in the local popular music industry: a case study of female artists in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

This study focused on gender construction and deconstruction in the local popular music industry. The contribution of women in the development of Tanzanian music industry has not been put adequately in the literature, thus their efforts are not known to people at large. The objective of the study was to investigate and document the experiences of female popular music artists. The focus of the study was to examine factors, which have led to women involvement in popular music and know their experiences and roles that women play in the music industry. The people interviewed included one hundred respondents, both men and women in Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke districts of Dar-es-Salaam region in Tanzania. Methods of data collection used in this study were documentary review, interviews and both the audio and visual tapes. The research has revealed that, the local popular music industry is still a male domain. Both female and male artists’ respondents are aware of gender discrimination in the music industry, as well as sexual harassment activities that women face from the male music lords in the music industry. Cultural and religious teachings were also named as factors that are hindering women from excelling in the music business as their teachings confine women to domestic sphere. The socio-economic factors such as unequal education levels and economic opportunities with their male counterparts, has led them to play minimal roles in music business i.e. dancers. The study concludes that the socialisation process at the family level has to target a change in gender roles, thus bringing gender equity in the society at all levels.