Mattel Highlights Women of Color with New Music Producer Barbie

We’re all about highlighting underrepresented groups here at Festival Insider, and we were stoked to see Mattel announce their new launch: Barbie Music Producer. They introduced the doll via social media saying, “Meet @Barbie Music Producer - a doll designed to introduce girls to an underrepresented #career where women make up less than 3% of #music producers and highlight the importance of women's stake in the industry. #Equality #EmpowerWomen.”

Not only do they showcase women, but they also showcase women of color with a non-white version of the Music Producer Barbie. Now that’s what I call representation! This new Barbie is in collaboration with legendary singer-songwriter Ester Dean and the nonprofit Girls Make Beats.

Dean states, “I am honored to lend my voice to Barbie to inspire young girls to learn more about becoming a music producer. While female voices are heard from the stage, so many critical decisions are made behind the scenes and in the studio. Having been in the industry for over a decade, I've witnessed the power female voices can have in shaping the future of music production and want to ensure more women are in the room."

The official press release reads:

Barbie recognizes the barriers that impede girls from reaching their limitless potential and aims to level the playing field for girls as part of the Barbie Dream Gap Project.  With over 200 careers and counting, Barbie is mixing it up as a music producer to show girls more role models in this space and encourage purposeful play through careers they may not be familiar with.

SVP and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls at Mattel adds, “As part of our ongoing Dream Gap Project, Barbie is dedicated to leveling the playing field for girls in careers where women are underrepresented, like music producers. By exposing girls to inspiring women excelling in this role, like Ester Dean, and by highlighting the music producer career with dolls, Barbie is reminding girls of their limitless potential. Our partnership with Girls Make Beats takes our efforts one step further, championing female voices from the studio to the stage and giving girls the tools to help them pursue a future as a music producer.”

We’re hoping to see more companies follow in this direction and start bringing attention to underrepresented groups. The future of music is in our hands, and we need to continue to push diversity and inclusion!