How ‘sexist gatekeepers’ held Kylie Minogue’s Padam Padam back

Aussie pop star Kylie Minogue's success has been hampered by sexist ageism, it has been revealed. See how.

The feel-good hit of the year Padam Padam could have been even bigger if Kylie Minogue hadn’t been subjected to sexist ageism by radio gatekeepers according to the song’s producer.

Lostboy aka Pete Rycroft, who produced and co-wrote the track alongside Norwegian artist and pop hit maker Ina Wroldsen, took aim at British radio stations for not adding the track to their playlists until fans called them out on social media.

“We were trying to get it played on the radio. It was everywhere, everyone was talking about it and it was at least top two in the charts – but Radio 1 and Capital were refusing to play it, essentially because she’s an older woman,” Rycroft told The Independent.

The song gathered swift momentum after its release on May 19 on TikTok because of its quirky earworm hook replicating a heartbeat, and its adoption by the LGBTQI+ as an anthem for 2023 Pride celebrations throughout the US and Europe.

It was the grassroots fan support that propelled Minogue to her first UK No.1 in more than a decade rather than airplay on the biggest mainstream pop stations.

BBC Radio 1 copped backlash for not playing the track and bowed to public pressure as it breached the top 10, but added it to their “C list” which meant it would only be played about five times a week.

Rycroft said not adding Minogue to the same playlists which featured older male artists including hitmaking DJ David Guetta was sexist.

“I could see it as clear as day; it was definitely a wake-up call,” he said.

“There are other 55-year-old artists, David Guetta for example, and he’s all over the radio obviously, because he’s a bloke and he’s got some amazing tunes. ‘Padam’ should have been on there from the beginning and it’s just a reflection on Radio 1.”

Padam Padam was on the top 40 of the Australian Radio Airplay Chart compiled by Aircheck after its release with 5064 spins over 14 weeks.

While viral popularity on TikTok and streaming services has a greater impact on the UK and Australian charts, airplay on mainstream radio stations has an influence on how long a song remains in the top 40.

It also has a psychological effect on the pop ecosystem by “validating” the passion and support of fans for a track and brings in new listeners who don’t frequent social media.

Tina Arena took aim at the ageism and sexism of Australian radio playlists during her fiery speech for the ARIA awards in 2015 where Minogue inducted the Chains legend to the Hall Of Fame.

“Who decides in radio that a woman at a certain point in her life no longer becomes viable?” Arena said in her speech.

“Women and men of all ages have something interesting to say but what I have struggled with is the complete ostracisation of a woman at a certain age.

“I want to still acknowledge that ladies over 40 are still in the game — my darling friend behind me, Miss Kylie Minogue, the wonderful Madonna, J-Lo, Annie Lennox, my Lord, the list does go on.

“Keep doing what you are doing, and keep doing what you do best ladies because we will decide when it’s time for us to stop.”

Originally published as How ‘sexist gatekeepers’ held Kylie Minogue’s Padam Padam back