Gender equality is a polarizing topic, especially in the context of the dance music industry. On one hand we have ignorant bros who think empowering women is achieved by shouting \”dat ass!\” as they walk by in a club. On the other hand, we have overzealous \”feminists\” that would call you a misogynist if your favorite DJ is a man. Because of this sharp dichotomy, gender equality is seldom discussed in EDM.
Luckily, there is a movement growing that is aiming to bring equality into the forefront of dance music media; that movement is #Napgirls. According to their website: #Napgirls is \”a non-profit creative, collaborative collective of women promoting gender equality in the dance music industry.\”
![\"Nap](\"https://edmchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/11820618_1622356361351819_2040972736_n.jpg\")
Outwardly, you may have seen the countless Instagram photos of the familiar napping pose, from just a couple people to whole crowds. Notably, Skrillex, one of the biggest names in EDM, gave the \”nappers\” a big shout out on twitter on International National Women\’s Day.
Happy #InternationalWomensDay @napgirls pic.twitter.com/tfCc1aLREK
— SKRILLEX India RN (@Skrillex) March 9, 2015
Aside from the hashtags and borderline-viral internet glory, some people fail to dig deep into what the #Napgirls are all about. Some may not initially be able to tell how exactly nappers are going about, let alone chime into the dialogue of gender equality. Luckily, I was blessed with an opportunity to reach out to Chicago\’s own Dani Deahl, an incredibly talented producer and one of the biggest names among the Nap Girls. I asked her to give me some insight about her experiences with the group and how she would best explain the goals of the movement.
Awareness for equality is greater than it ever has been – it feels like people are now seeing that there is an issue and things do need to change. For example, at Tomorrowworld Kennedy Jones had an intro where MK Ultra was dressed up as him and then unveiled herself while a monologue was playing – it made a statement about judging people on their looks before letting them prove their abilities. Nap Girls is proving to be a statement as well – now that people are figuring out what the pose stands for, they can see the support for the movement and how many women and men in the industry actively support equality.
The #Napgirls are now making their own statement about breaking down gender barriers, and appreciating women in the industry as individuals rather than by their body. Dani, who had previously given a presentation on TED Talks on women in EDM, has been very vocal about being an advocate for equality. Along with notable individuals such as herself, it seems the poses and hashtags are achieving precisely what they\’re meant to – generating buzz and drawing in people like myself to ask questions.
With the increasing attention and support the #Napgirls movement is receiving, there is an ever growing platform from which to initiate conversation about gender equality in the industry. So hashtag, pose, and nap on!
