Top 100 lists are always the cause for a bit of friendly debate, but a recent list published by DJ Magazine is causing a stir over the web for a notable absence of female artists.

With more than a million votes cast, the final tally saw Belgium brothers Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike take out the coveted number one slot, displacing Dutch producer Hardwell after a two year run.

Reflecting the majoritarian view of clubbers worldwide only three female artists made the cut with NERVO, Krewella and Miss K8 all coming in below 23.

To their credit, DJ Mag attempted to mitigate the underrepresentation of women by asking top male DJ’s who made the list why they believed weren’t more female artists.

Despite the publication’s best intentions, some of the responses might be more concerning than the rankings themselves.

DJs like Borgore and Dyro expressed some awareness of the issue noting that a lack of female artists might be chalked up to things like systemic discrimination and not enough female producers behind the decks.

Other responses proved far from enlightened.

When asked why there weren’t more women in the top 100 spot Above and Beyond answered:

“For the same reason there are more guys at gigs, guys get way more into this stuff than girls.”

KSMR flippantly replied:
“I’m not sure. I haven’t met many female producers but I’m happy to help any who want to learn.”

Expressing a view fresh out of the 1950s Headhunterz stated that:
“The DJ mag Top 100 mostly consists of people who produce, and sitting behind a computer programming music is not something that generally appeals to women, I believe.”

Unsurprisingly there has been quite a backlash against the results.

DJ Maya Jane Coles spoke out against the poll noting that the list was less inclusive than it was a decade ago. She also noted that the poll was reflective of the concerning rise to dominance of male centric mainstream and EDM cultures in dance music.

Top 100 polls have always tended to be a bit crass and majoritarian, but DJ Mag’s recent folly seems to have struck a nerve with those concerned with the ongoing marginalisation of female artists within the world of dance music.