NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country superstar Martina McBride sparked a conversation about sexism on Spotify Monday in a series of Instagram posts.
According to her Instagram posts, McBride was listening to fellow country artist Sara Evans on Spotify when she decided to create a playlist named "Country Music." That's when she realized something was wrong.
Spotify gave her 10 suggestions of songs to add to her playlist, and they were all songs by men. Thinking that was strange, McBride refreshed the list, only to be presented with another list 10 men.
It took her 14 refreshes to finally get a woman on the suggestion list, Carrie Underwood. That meant Spotify suggested more than 140 songs by men before a single song by a female was suggested.
McBride documented the whole thing on her Instagram story.
"I just have no words. My heart is pounding. I can't remember when I've been this mad," McBride posted. "Is it lazy? Is it discriminatory? Is it tone deaf? Is it out of touch? @spotify what.is.it??? Please help me understand."
"I'm not doing this for me obviously. I'm sure I won't show up on any recommendations anytime soon after today. I'm frustrated for my sisters. For all the great female artists who are making fabulous music. For all the female writers. And MOST OF ALL for every little girl out there who doesn't hear this music And doesn't know that SHE CAN GROW UP AND DO IT!!!"
McBride later suggested a number of newly-released songs from female artists that Spotfiy could have included on their recommended list — songs from artists like The Highwomen, Tanya Tucker, Trisha Yearwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert.
McBride's posts sparked discussion among country music fans on social media. While many of the responses were targeted at Spotify, others pointed out that female artists are underrepresented in country music.
Spotify did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story was originally published by Jesse Knutson on WTVF in Nashville.
