Glamcult Open Sessions: Second Edition

Last Thursday, Glamcult hosted the second edition of the Open Sessions series — an intimate panel talk exploring the intricate realities of being a musical artist in the digital age. Moderated by multidisciplinary writer and cultural critic Chloé Heyart, the conversation brought together two distinct voices in contemporary music and ultimate Glamcult darlings: OISHI and Mariposa. Together, they unpacked the pressures, contradictions, and creative strategies of navigating artistry in the algorithm era, particularly for women and gender-diverse musicians.

As Heyart notes, social media has transformed many artists into inadvertent influencers, consuming the mental space and creative energy that could otherwise feed their craft. This shift is tangled up in the politics of visibility — the opaque rules of what the algorithm rewards, and who is left to sink unseen. For women and gender non-conforming artists, these pressures are amplified. They face heightened scrutiny and criticism, and are too often dismissed or undervalued compared to their male counterparts. Online, artistry is not judged in a vacuum: desirability, beauty standards, and commercial appeal all weigh more heavily on marginalised individuals, shaping not only how they are perceived but also the opportunities they are afforded.

OISHI, an Amsterdam-based DJ and artist known for her delicious sonic blends, lives up to her name (“oishi” translates to “tasty” in Japanese) through her hip-turning approach to music. “OISHI is feminine, sensual, sexually liberated,” she affirms in conversation, “but I also want people to see that OISHI has depth, knowledge, and intelligence. When you get perceived as a sex object, you’re not perceived as having depth.” And while she finds her fun in posting online, digital presentation can get one-dimensional. Now, she’s preparing to release her first single, which comes with an avalanche of strategic thinking, and tensions between creative expression and catering towards the algorithm: “If I post a nice cover art, I don’t have a lot of engagement… but when I post a thirst trap!” However, OISHI also reminded us of the importance of not overthinking it – at the end of the day, it’s all about the music. “If you think too much about the presentation of your product, your energy for it is going to drop. It’s all definitely about the art – I immediately know if a DJ is popping for their skills or for other reasons.”

Mariposa, a musical force reinventing Latin rap, has shared similar sentiments on how industry-enforced online self-presentation may be flattening. “I’d like to have more choice over when to be sexual and when not to. If I want to wear a hoodie, I don’t want to be seen like I’m trying to act like a guy,” she shares her thoughts on how she positions herself online. Within that, her focus on rap and topics like mental health often slows the commercial climb: “The industry is so male-dominated, and I don’t follow what’s expected. I have intrusive thoughts sometimes on whether I should change the way I dress just because it sells so much easier.” Mariposa also contends with logistical barriers: “60% of my followers are in Mexico, so navigating time zones is a challenge… I also struggle with the Dutch algorithm because my content is not in Dutch.” However, she is certainly staying true to her artistry, and prefers to grow slowly and surely rather than follow something that she is not aligned with. “Everything new is weird to people,” Mariposa rightfully states – and reminds us to cancel out the noise of people (or algorithms) that don’t see our vision.

The conversation unfolded in rich and unexpected ways — surfacing issues often brushed aside, while urging the audience to hold fast to their own truth. As much as we love to party and stir the pot, it’s just as vital to gather as a community and confront the behind-the-scenes realities of the industry we move through. And of course, if you’ve ever been to a Glamcult event, you already know that our drinks always deliver. This evening, Kumasi kept the glasses (and conversations) flowing with their naturally intoxicating cacao-fruit juice, powered by their ethos of fighting food waste and supporting farmers. The night left the audience with an unfiltered glimpse into the intricate dance between artistry, identity, and digital visibility — and a reminder that, in music’s online age, authenticity remains both a challenge and a choice.