Yesterday was International women’s day and to celebrate, Spotify have released the figures for the most streamed female artists. Rihanna was revealed to be the most streamed female, meaning that she is currently the most popular female artist in the world.

The full top ten is as follows:

1. Rihanna
2. Katy Perry
3. Beyoncé
4. Lana Del Rey
5. Lady Gaga
6. Ariana Grande
7. Nicki Minaj
8. Ellie Goulding
9. Taylor Swift
10. Lorde

Spotify also revealed that Beyoncé was the most streamed female artist by women whilst Katy Perry was the most streamed by men. This disparity is quite interesting, and could well show the precedence for how the women of music are viewed.

Looking at the top 10, the first thing that is glaringly obvious is that these are all young and extremely good looking ladies; there are definitely no old, ugly pensioners in sight. These are the women that are representing their whole gender within the music industry, or at least the ones that have become popularized enough to be in a position to do so.

The list seems to exclude any form of artistry, with the exception of a few names (I will leave you to decide which) and the message that is being broadcasted loud and clear is that the most popular female artists are the ones who will take a song that has been written by someone else and make their mark by performing it in the skimpiest outfit imaginable.

Admittedly, this is something of an exaggeration in that all of the female artists in the top 10 have had their moments of talent and have made their mark on the industry but is what they are pedalling what young girls really need to be fed?

All of these artists will undoubtedly play the feminism card, saying that they are being proud and unashamed of their body which is great for them, and I would never assume to imply that they shouldn’t exercise their right to be able to do what they want.

What must be remembered is that these are the people that are looked up to; the ones that young girls model themselves on and how young boys base some of their ideas of women on. The fact that these are the most popular streamed female artists implies that not a lot of talent is required for a woman to be popular these days and being in the times we are in, that’s a little worrying.