Martina McBride Takes Spotify to Task Over Gender Disparity

Martina McBride just took Spotify to task over a lack of female country singers in her recommendations. In a series of Instagram stories, McBride chronicled her attempts to make a country music playlist on the platform, which "recommended" 14 straight pages of male artists before recommending any females.

The kicker? McBride started creating the playlist after listening to a female artist. "I decided to make a playlist after I heard Sara Evans' 'I Learned That From You' and was literally crying," McBride captions her post. "And THIS is what came up. ALL MALE. Come on Spotify, you can and should do better."

McBride made a point to note country music has recently seen four high-profile releases from female artists. She shared images of new music from Trisha Yearwood, Tanya Tucker, Kelsea Ballerini and The Highwomen.

McBride got to the root of the issue, noting that Spotify suggested all those male acts based solely on the title of her playlist. Which was simple, "Country Music."

"I have no words," she continued to share on her Instagram stories. "My heart is pounding. I can't remember when I've been this mad. Can somewhat at Spotify please explain this to me?"

McBride then went on to say she's not posting about this for her own benefit, noting she's unlikely to show up on any recommendations. But that she is frustrated for her female peers and the countless young girls who aren't hearing voices like theirs and don't know they can grow up and do it too.

A spokesperson for McBride did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

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