bey

 

 

Ah music.

It’s pros and cons are just about even, so pick a side. Either you love it or hate it or want nothing to do with with it.

When we add the word “industry” to it, it becomes an even more hateful loving relationship.

I liked the fan page for the music event “Pitchfork” and I every now and then check out their posts and shares.

I read a post about  Theresa Wayman from the  band Warpaint, criticizing Beyonce and Rihanna for their  sexualized presentations.

She said:

“Every song on Beyonce’s last album has her basically looking like a slut and she does not need to do that,” Wayman said. “She’s gorgeous and so fucking talented. And they all take it as women’s liberation!”

 

Regarding Rihanna, Wayman said, “She has an insane voice, she could’ve done something so much more subtle and artful.”
What the music industry is and will always be is an industry that relies on one major factor: APPEAL. Something about an artist MUST be appealing in order for listeners to pay attention. And usually that is done so by sex.

 

Beyonce never really had a progress stage from teen to adult. She’s always had a mature look about her. Rihanna, who I listened in interviews expressed how her label painted a more innocent image about her and once she was able to be more liberal with her art, she took it there.

 

As an artist my self, I have been told I am not sexual enough. I watched documentaries of women, particularly Black women (especially if they are rappers) being overly sexual in their lyrics as well as their appearance. The stigma for Black women is that we have been revered as hypersexual beings and sometimes that may overpower our actual talent. Women in general are pressured to cover up or to show as much as possible. Either way our attire or lack their off will always be debatable.

 

But the REAL reality of it is, people are quickly drawn to very simple things such as sex. For those that oppose the sexualization of artists such as Beyonce and Rihanna, this will be going on long after you’re gone. Selling sex will NEVER get old.

 

These artists are just different names and different faces that bring up the same topic. “Hit Me Baby One More Time” was definitely not innocent nor was her appearance. And  the”California Girls” video by Katy Perry only makes me think of boobs and whip cream. But these artists do not speak for every female artist, they are only a few representations of the women out there making music.

 

To those that oppose it, if it vexes your soul, don’t watch and don’t listen. Or do better: open your eyes and ears to the artists you want to hear and see more of.  Decide for yourself how you want to be presented and not allow others or the media to do that for you.

 

You have artists like Janelle Monae and Ledisi who thrive off of their talent alone and won’t compromise their attire to be more appealing. Yet I don’t think we should condemn women who choose to do so.

I always say “if you can’t live with it, don’t do it.” Obviously these four women have made conscious decisions to be exactly who they want to be.

 

I’ve come to terms about sex appeal in the music industry a long time ago to know what I want to be and choose to expose myself to. You should do the same.

Women will always be seen as sexual beings. But if that’s the only thing you can see then that says a lot about your mentality.

 

Check out this dope interview by Janelle Monae about sex appeal. Start at 6:35.