In the process, the industry encouraged sexual and primitive behavior, which focused on the feel of the music becoming the inspiration for artistic direction. Women such as Ma Rainy, Lil’ Harding and Bessie Smith paved the way for women in the industry, as primarily it was set as a male-based industry. However, Hardin’s compositions were impressive and growing in popularity to rival the male pieces. Moreover, Smith also rapidly gained popularity with her recordings, and this paved the way for other women to enter the industry. Jazz music was the motivation for the first Broadway musical “Showboat” in 1927. Furthermore, jazz music gained popularity through radio and grew to become the ideal music for the rebellious
