Redefining Feminism in 2024 - An Open Letter by Gwyn
Photo credit: @sylvestre_3000
Reflecting on my childhood, I remember not being confined to pink dresses, and now I understand why. Glancing at old photos, I see a child unboxed from traditional gender norms, often playing with boys and embracing 'boyish' clothing and toys. In the 2000s, this was pretty forward-thinking. Even during my time in an all-girls high school in Hong Kong, I never perceived myself as less capable than my male counterparts.
Fast forward to 2024, navigating the music scene as a musician has illuminated the male-dominated industry, a realization that dawned on me during my university days in Australia.
Group projects often had my male counterparts taking the lead. Although it had always been my dream to join a band, a brief experience in one made me realize the often-overlooked abilities of females in the music industry.
My mixtape, 130K Across the Highway, is a personal exploration of growth and feminism. The inspiration behind tracks like “USE” and “Waste My Time” stems from the same story viewed through two perspectives. It all originated from a real-life encounter with someone who, in my eyes, misunderstood the true essence of feminism. Witnessing them exploit relationships for personal gain at work led me to question whether this aligned with the core principles of feminism. To me, feminism is about acknowledging that women are just as capable as men, free from manipulative tactics.
Being a feminist in 2024 is all about being inclusive, breaking down cliques, and being open to collaboration because we're secure! This realization hit hard when I found out someone copied parts of my music video by reaching out to my film crew. It got me thinking about how modern our society really is and, more importantly, what it truly means to be a feminist.
I'm stoked to share that I personally produced all the tracks on my mixtape, finally achieving the creative freedom I've been chasing. In 2024, I firmly believe that nobody, no matter their gender, should feel the need to compromise personal integrity through shady career moves.
Feminism, in my eyes, is all about females being just as capable as men, based on merit and not some messed-up power dynamic.
Cheers,
Gwyn x
Bio:
Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Gwyn is a singer-songwriter/producer known for her captivating blend of electronic, pop, and rock music. With a background in classical piano and a love for pop developed in Hong Kong, Gwyn's musical journey has led her to create original material that resonates with listeners. Since debuting in 2019 with the release of her single ‘Feel,’ Gwyn has gained airplay on Triple J and FBi Radio in Australia, as well as placements on popular Spotify Editorial Playlists such as New Music Friday, Beats & Rhymes, HYPE and +852 Rising. Her powerful vocals and relatable lyrics showcase her growth as an artist, making her one to watch in the music industry.