Beatboxer Bellatrix on being a woman in the music industry

TL;DR

Bellatrix says women in music can be limited by gendered ideas about instruments and judged for their appearance instead of their ability. She plays bass guitar and double bass, beatboxes, performs with other musicians, and started an all-female beatbox group. She wants her work's quality, not merely being a woman in an uncommon role, to drive her career; read on for her firsthand examples of these pressures.

Transcript

my name is Belle I go by the name of Bellatrix sometimes I'm a musician I play the bass play bass guitar double bass and also beat boxer and so when I'm playing the bass I play for either play for other musicians like singers or whether I'll be their bass player or I play in a couple of bands I paint a bank with Israeli and small goods I'm a beatbo... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎼 Belle challenges gender stereotypes through her musical talents and leadership.
• 🖤 Lack of representation of female instrumentalists in the music industry is a significant issue.
• 🧔‍♀️ Society often values women based on appearance rather than skill or talent.
• 🎼 Diversity and inclusivity are essential for fostering a positive and empowering music community.
• 🧔‍♀️ Belle aims to be a role model for young women and promote acceptance of different talents and identities.
• 🍳 Breaking gender norms in music is crucial for creating equal opportunities for all musicians.
• ❓ Belle highlights the importance of challenging societal expectations and embracing individual talents.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Bellatrix describe being a woman in the music industry?

Bellatrix says she loves being a female musician and receives recognition because few women do what she does. However, she wants the quality of her work to determine where she goes, with being a woman serving only as an additional unique selling point.

Q: Who is Bellatrix, and what instruments does she play?

Bellatrix is the performing name used by Belle, a musician and beatboxer. She plays bass guitar and double bass, performs as a bass player for singers and other musicians, and plays in bands.

Q: Why did Bellatrix start an all-female beatbox group?

Bellatrix says she started her own all-female beatbox group and is more interested in performing with other people than focusing only on solo shows. She also observes that very few women are doing the kind of beatboxing she does.

Q: How many other professional female beatboxers does Bellatrix say are in the UK?

Bellatrix says there is one other professional female beatboxer in the UK. She adds that she taught that beatboxer, underscoring how few women she sees in the field.

Q: Which musical roles does Bellatrix say have fewer professional women?

Bellatrix says there are many female singers, flute players, violinists, and piano players. By contrast, she says there are hardly any professional female bass players, drummers, or guitar players.

Q: How can gender stereotypes limit female musicians, according to Bellatrix?

Bellatrix says music and instrument choice can become extensions of identity, femininity, or masculinity. When an instrument is considered unfeminine, women may avoid it because performing that way can conflict with expectations about how they are supposed to identify and behave.

Q: How did gender expectations affect Bellatrix when she was younger?

Bellatrix recalls being somewhat of a tomboy at around age 14 and wanting to beatbox and play bass rather than conform to expectations to be girly or feminine. She says identity and fitting in are especially important at that age, which can discourage girls from activities viewed as unfeminine.

Q: What appearance-related pressures does Bellatrix face as a musician?

Bellatrix says women are often judged by how they look rather than by their ability, ideas, or character. She describes struggling with airbrushed images, being photographed onstage, wearing certain clothes, posing, and comparing herself with images of Beyoncé.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Belle, also known as Bellatrix, is a musician proficient in playing the bass, beatboxing, and leading an all-female beatbox group.

• She discusses the challenges female musicians face due to gender stereotypes and societal expectations in the industry.

• Belle aims to be a positive role model for young women in the music industry, advocating for inclusivity and diversity.