The Future of Pop Music Is Approaching and Black Women Are Leading the Charge — Why Aren’t They Also Leading the Charts? (Critic’s Take)

The trajectory of popular music is shifting, with Black women taking center stage in a new era. As the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular music scene underwent a notable transformation. Timely albums like Taylor Swift's "Folklore" and "Evermore" set the tone, with a subsequent surge of singer-songwriters in a similar vein.

However, those who did not adhere to Swiftian songwriting were increasingly moving towards a more synthy, guitar-driven sound, reminiscent of Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan.

Simultaneously, the conservative swing in America, coupled with the resurgence of country music, paved the way for country stars to replace rap artists as the new pop girls. But the era of rap girls dominating the charts, spearheaded by artists like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Nicki Minaj, has come to an end. Artists like Rihanna, with her lyrics from "How Could You Be So Hood?" in 2012's "Phresh Off the Runway," seemed to predict the future of pop music.

However, the departure of Black women from the forefront of pop music has left a void, characterized by a loss of swag, soul, and a unique essence that has fueled pop music for decades. The absence of Black women in the industry has coincided with the dominant presence of white pop stars, who have been granted the freedom to challenge societal norms.

This shift is evident in acts like Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and, more recently, Slayyyter and Chappell Roan, who inject elements of sex positivity, queerness, and diverse cultural backgrounds into their music.

As new pop stars rise to commercial success, the glaring absence of Black women in the charts is striking. Their absence has led to a loss of the swag, soul, and unique qualities that have defined pop music for so long.