PinkPantheress has opened up about her experience as a Black woman in the electronic music scene, expressing that she often feels “overlooked” and misunderstood. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the British singer-songwriter shared her thoughts on the difficulties of gaining recognition, particularly after her viral hit “Illegal” from her album Fancy That.
She noted, “People are less willing to listen to electronic music made by a Black woman. That’s just a fact.” This sentiment reflects her struggle to be taken seriously in a genre where she feels pigeonholed.
PinkPantheress highlighted a pivotal moment when she met Hayley Williams of Paramore, calling it a significant source of inspiration. “When I have these pinch-me moments, I realize how important they are, especially since I don’t know when the next will come,” she said.
She has often credited her influences, including Lily Allen and Kaytranada, while also recognizing the contributions of other Black women like Nia Archives.
She elaborated, “My role often challenges traditional ideas of how a pop star should appear or behave, which doesn’t resonate with everyone.”
Recently, PinkPantheress received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Kent and even earned a trophy at a chess tournament for under-25s. “I aim to remain authentic and consistent,” she stated. “I often find myself determined to prove people wrong and show them something they didn’t expect. Once they give me a chance, they start to realize they should have appreciated me from the beginning.”
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