MUSIC

Punching Holes in the Patriarchy: Barron S’s Latest Single “TKO” is a Tech House Banger With a Powerful Message

October 18, 2022

Barron S’s latest single ‘TKO’ is a Tech House Banger with a powerful message. It’s a rare combo, intended to make you think as you hit the dance floor.

The message behind ‘TKO’ is about choosing to opt-out of the patriarchy. “When I found myself working in the heart of the boys’ club, I saw limitless possibilities for change and progress,” said Barron S, about the inspiration behind her song. “After movements like ‘Me Too’ jumped into mainstream consciousness, I thought society was ready to become accountable for the inequalities which oppress women on a daily basis. But after being shut out, shut down and shut up time and time again, I realized how damaging these work environments have been to my mental and emotional health. I can make more positive change in the world by stepping away from toxic environments and aligning with collaborators who share my values.”

While women represent more than half of the global population, they remain wildly underrepresented in many sectors.

During promotion for her 2021 single ‘BO$$ BITCH’, Barron S experienced a rude awakening while interviewing 30 female + non-binary leaders about their experiences in business. “I found that women are still under-represented, under-appreciated, and underpaid in the majority of fields,” she said.

For example, in the music business:

– In 2021, only 28.1% of Grammy nominees were female. Between 2013 and 2021, only 13% of Grammy Award winners were female.

– Only 20% of music industry positions are held by women (both artistic + business roles).

– Only 2% of music producers are female.SOCAN, Music BC, Creative BC, and FACTOR have not yet collected data about the number of female DJs in the electronic music community or the roles they play.

This is just one example of how even advocates in the music industry have blind spots when it comes to working to create a more equitable environment for women. Barron S is striving to push back the boundaries of what is socially acceptable for women, with ‘TKO’ punching holes in the patriarchy. Her lyrics are intended to help create more fluid norms of what could be possible for any person and to put gender in a blender in an effort to free us all.

“While writing ‘TKO,’ a friend of a friend heard me say “suck my d*ck” while visiting my studio session, and told me there are just some things women shouldn’t say,” Barron S recalled. “I told him to get the hell out of my session, then added the lyric ‘ride my d*ck’ to this song.

“I don’t believe women should have to follow different rules: not in what we can say or do, where we can work, how much we are paid, what we wear, how much of our bodies we choose to show, and certainly not for our reproductive freedoms.”

With ‘TKO,’ Barron S hopes that more men will discover how they have also been held captive by the patriarchy. In Veronika Ilich’s article ‘How Patriarchy Hurts Men Too,’ she explains, “Patriarchal ideas about masculinity can pose a great danger to men’s health because masculinity encourages risk-taking behavior and discourages help-seeking or health-enhancing behavior—meaning men are more likely to get hurt or sick and less likely to seek help when they are.”

From sexism to racism, fatphobia, and classism, we are all imprisoned by systems that limit us. ‘TKO’ is a rallying cry to fight back and break free.

‘TKO’ drops everywhere you listen to music on October 13th. A sneak peek of the single is available now on Barron S’ Soundcloud in her new DJ mix ‘Disco Stick’.

Artist Bio / Previous Important Milestones:

Barron S is best described as one part fiery red head and two parts TOTAL music nerd.

Her passion for music has landed her DJing on Rihanna’s Anti World Tour, opening for Electro-Funk duo Chromeo, and spinning for 500,000 people in Vancouver’s Pride Parade.

Barron S made history in 2018 when she became the first female DJ in the NHL. From 2018-2021 she was both In-Arena DJ and Music Director for the Vancouver Canucks.

In addition to playing for the Canucks, at Rihanna’s Anti Concerts and After Parties in cities right across Canada and the US (including: Miami, Nashville, and New York), Barron S was also the opening act for House DJ & Producer Sharam Jey, and

Las Vegas DJ KnowleDj (VIP DJ for the Weeknd, Beyoncé & Jay Z).

As an accomplished singer, Barron S both produces her own music and regularly adds her own beats with live vocals to her DJ sets.

Her 2021 single ‘BO$$ BITCH’, a Tech House, Female Empowerment Anthem received over 62,000 listens on Spotify & over 50,000 views on Youtube. Her follow up single ‘TKO’ came out October 13th, 2022.

Quote from the Artist about the Song/Video or EP:

“I don’t believe women should have to follow different rules: not in what we can say or do, where we can work, how much we are paid, what we wear, how much of our bodies we choose to show and certainly not for our reproductive freedoms.”

Be sure to listen to “TKO” below: