The sudden resurgence of EDM into mainstream culture feels inescapable. A new wave of music appears to be upon us; upbeat synths, house melodies, and bass have found their way into nearly every modern genre. It’s clear the EDM industry is here to stay; it has become an integral part of collective late-2020s culture. However, despite the birth of the genre over 50 years ago, it has remained a completely male-dominated field. Overshadowed by their male counterparts, female DJs and producers often go under the radar, forced to painstakingly carve out their own paths in an industry with no existing representation. To combat this, Nina Jo Wilson, an up-and-coming EDM artist better known by the stage name Ninajirachi, coined the phrase “Girl EDM,” creating an unashamedly feminine sub-genre of EDM where all women are included.
Where did girl EDM come from?
Before transforming into a women-led movement, Girl EDM had humble roots as an EP name. Released on Sept. 6, 2024, Girl EDM is relatively short, spanning just 29 minutes and featuring 10 songs. However, this EP packs a punch, featuring high-pitched harmonies and glitched chiptunes that give off a bright, whimsical, and hyperfeminine vibe. At first, Girl EDM became a part of Ninajirachi’s brand, since her team released merchandise with the phrase in order to promote the EP. However, the concept of Girl EDM lived on, becoming intertwined in the public eye following the release of Ninajirachi’s first debut album, I Love My Computer. In just one month, I Love My Computer garnered millions of streams, critical acclaim, eight AIRA nominations, and three ARIA awards.
The record-breaking album’s lyrics explore critical concepts of girlhood in a digital age, and the way that direct access to the internet has impacted culture, physical connections, and human experience in both negative and positive ways. These powerful lyrics centering the feminine experience of being chronically online pair with the various styles of the tracks. Ninajirachi blends bright, upbeat synths and hyper-pop elements with high-pitched vocals reminiscent of the nightcore wave of early 2010 YouTube. Her work carries an air of nostalgia, not only for earlier editions of electronic music production, but also through her lyrics reflecting on what it means to come to age as a woman.
Following the success of the album, Ninajirachi grew to over 1.7 million listeners on Spotify alone. With this influx of fans, people came to adopt the term “Girl EDM” on their own. In this way, the genre was officially born, as both artists and fans alike began to establish a space for femininity within the realm of EDM.
The Importance of the GIRL EDM WAVE
In 2012, only 9.6% of EDM festival artists were women. That ratio increased to a whopping 26.9% in 2022. Sarcasm aside, the absence of women in this industry is nauseating. Although some progress has been made, there is still a large gender gap within the field that needs to be addressed.
The philosophy of Girl EDM combats this disparity, as the concept uplifts feminine voices and perspectives. Support for women in this capacity is integral for real equality to occur. Girl EDM creates a space for creatives that transcends the male-centric bounds of the EDM of the past. The encouragement of “girly” lyrics, hyper-feminine production, and a focus on women creating music that other women would want to listen to creates an equitable playing field for both female DJs and audiences alike. Representation is important, as media impacts thoughts, actions, and societal systems. A celebration of girlhood through Girl EDM proves that women always have space, even in traditionally masculine fields.
Girl EDM in practice
As a brand-new subgenre, the Girl EDM movement grows day by day. Other than Ninajirachi, the artists PinkPantheress, Tiffany Day, Underscores, Jane Remover, Slayyyter, Daine, and Mgna Crrrta are often seen as pioneers of the scene. Despite having different sounds, a hallmark that all these artists share is a drive to create female-centered music with a hyper-feminine, hyperpop twist. That, in itself, is what Girl EDM truly encompasses. Girl EDM is not a diminutive term for EDM made by women; it is EDM that embraces femininity, empowers fellow artists, and centers on creation in the name of girlhood.
In fact, a key component of Girl EDM is constant collaboration and support. All these artists are interconnected, in a complex network of feminine creatives that constantly push each other to create unique music transcending the bounds of a male-dominated field. For instance, PinkPantheress brought out both Slayyyter and Ninajirachi to her 2026 Coachella set. Mgna Crrta, Ninajirachi, and Underscores frequently work together, collaborating on new songs and creating remixes of each other’s existing discographies.
Girl EDM is here to stay
In her 2026 single “WannaCry,” Ninajirachi sings, “You’ll know that I was there, you’ll see my writing on the wall.” The concept of Girl EDM has left a lasting mark on the figurative wall of the EDM industry, permanently altering the scene to create a supportive space for women. Female DJs and producers are coming together to prove that they are everywhere, forging a representation for the next generation of artists that can’t be ignored: Girl EDM is a force to be reckoned with. The movement will only continue to inspire and grow from here! It’s clear: Girl EDM is here to stay.