The intersectionalities of age, race, gender and sexuality are all influential factors in the portrayal of women in music and their accompanied videos across genres. The artists in each genre express their perceptions of gender, based on their socialization and many times on what they expect to be commercially consumed.
In this section I will offer a very brief insight into various portrayals of women in music/videos-providing material for analysis and critique that is very commonly sub-consciously consumed as entertainment, but in actuality enforces various ideas about women in general.
*Many of the artists listed below are involved in various genres of the music industry, and express different messages about gender based on their genre and song. The offerings below are simply a sample of some of the communicated concepts during the past 5 years or so.
Hip-Hop
Video: "Up! (Beat the Pu$$y up)" by LoveRance
The majority of the hip-hop genre is, and has always been dominated by black males. The material of which they promote varies based on their past experiences-intersectionalities based on the geographical location of their socializations into ideas of race, gender, class, age, and sexuality. Often, their work expresses themes of money, women, drugs, violence, past struggles and material success. The visual effects of their music when included in a music video help to physically portray what they speak of. When it comes to portraying women, there are common themes: little clothing, lots of alcohol, "sexy, suggestive" smiles.The women are there for the men, prizes to show off their success. The women are often of color, and reiterate the craved criteria of possessing a thin waist, large bouncing breasts, and a big bottom-all of which need be able to move whilst dancing to the rappers words. Both genders are portrayed to be heterosexual, although there are times when the women may engage in sexual actions-always followed by a shot of the males reaction.While many of the lyrics may offend many women listeners (as in the video that I posted below), the women in the video seem to be legitimately enjoying their experience of being told about the artist's ability to "Beat the pussy up". This song, and video, enforce the idea that heterosexual women love to be surrounded by rich rappers, who will give them alcohol and throw them a party to they can look sexy and then take off their clothes.
Link: "Up (Beat the Pu$$y Up)" by LoveRance
R&B/Pop
Video: "If I Were a Boy" by Beyonce
The genre of R&B includes a more varied range of male and female performers. The songs commonly croon of romance, heartbreak, heterosexual interaction and reflection of past and future relationships. The genre includes more people of other races-such as Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars, yet is most greatly expressed by Black artists such as Usher, R.Kelly, Beyonce and Ashanti. Both genders in this category of music express similar feelings of hope or regret and the search for emotional and sexual satisfaction within the realm of their gender norms. In the video I have posted below, Beyonce puts a twist on the concept of male and female gender roles in relationships-stating the mans behavior as different from the females: the woman is serving, considerate, and faithful while the man is dismissive, selfish and insensitive. By switching roles physically in the video, we are able to absorb the visual portrayal of how the other would feel if they were to "walk in their shoes"-seeing a man act as a woman, and all that comes along with our assumptions of what a man is based on body, race, action and emotion, is a very interesting thing.
Link: "If I Were A Boy" by Beyonce
Pop
Video: "One Less Lonely Girl" by Justin Bieber
Pop music is the most diverse in terms of age and gender. While the genre does frequently express ideas of heterosexual romance, it is broader in that it applies to people in general who listen to have a good time. The music is upbeat, and usually includes aspects of positivity both audibly and with its words. Popular pop artists include Katy Perry, Usher, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake. The song posted below by a young Justin Bieber (one of the most prominent pop artists) promotes heterosexual relationships, and reinforces societal concepts that a girl feels best when loved by a boy.
Link: "One Less Lonely Girl" by Justin Bieber
Country
Video: "Are You Going To Kiss Me Or Not" by Thompson Square
Based on the intersectionality of geography and religion, much of country music has a more conservative message than other genres. The politics are majority conservative promote heterosexual marriage and the Christian religion. There is an air of positivity within the music, as it constantly references the beauty and contentment in God's simple blessings: pretty girls, nature and a good beer. The hegemonic country male is physically strong and emotionally sensitive-enough to connect with a female and then build a relationship in which he can be the protector. The females exist as beautiful, desired in sundresses and able to cook. Self-respect, work ethic, appreciation and communication of emotions are prized in both genders throughout the country genre. As in the song listed below, the female singer is displayed in a dress, feminine and appropriate-but with a stylish edge with her dyed hair. The lyrics display the highly romanticized destiny of country couples-as the male singer states that after one kiss he wants to get married. There is an intense level of commitment, admiration and completion of self based on the aspects of heterosexual love and a steady relationship with nature.
Link: "Are You Going To Kiss Me Or Not" by Thompson Square
Rock
Video: "Harder To Breath" by Maroon 5
Modern rock music tends to be the most ambiguous about gender messages. Traditionally, rock was about rebellion and pushing boundaries-including those of a gender conformist attitude. Male rock artists very often wore tight pants, with their hair long and make-up on. While they were comfortable with their sense of style, and the idea of crossing the gender dressing boundaries-their lyrics and lives very much exhibited heterosexuality. The genre has greatly evolved, and now is considered to be more "alternative"-less extreme in the rebellious attitude and more applicable to the "everyday" listener. This said, there is still a sense of attitude, an air of confidence and non-conformity that has carried on with the genre.
Link: "Harder To Breath" by Maroon 5
In this section I will offer a very brief insight into various portrayals of women in music/videos-providing material for analysis and critique that is very commonly sub-consciously consumed as entertainment, but in actuality enforces various ideas about women in general.
*Many of the artists listed below are involved in various genres of the music industry, and express different messages about gender based on their genre and song. The offerings below are simply a sample of some of the communicated concepts during the past 5 years or so.
Hip-Hop
Video: "Up! (Beat the Pu$$y up)" by LoveRance
The majority of the hip-hop genre is, and has always been dominated by black males. The material of which they promote varies based on their past experiences-intersectionalities based on the geographical location of their socializations into ideas of race, gender, class, age, and sexuality. Often, their work expresses themes of money, women, drugs, violence, past struggles and material success. The visual effects of their music when included in a music video help to physically portray what they speak of. When it comes to portraying women, there are common themes: little clothing, lots of alcohol, "sexy, suggestive" smiles.The women are there for the men, prizes to show off their success. The women are often of color, and reiterate the craved criteria of possessing a thin waist, large bouncing breasts, and a big bottom-all of which need be able to move whilst dancing to the rappers words. Both genders are portrayed to be heterosexual, although there are times when the women may engage in sexual actions-always followed by a shot of the males reaction.While many of the lyrics may offend many women listeners (as in the video that I posted below), the women in the video seem to be legitimately enjoying their experience of being told about the artist's ability to "Beat the pussy up". This song, and video, enforce the idea that heterosexual women love to be surrounded by rich rappers, who will give them alcohol and throw them a party to they can look sexy and then take off their clothes.
Link:
"Up (Beat the Pu$$y Up)" by LoveRance
R&B/Pop
Video: "If I Were a Boy" by Beyonce
The genre of R&B includes a more varied range of male and female performers. The songs commonly croon of romance, heartbreak, heterosexual interaction and reflection of past and future relationships. The genre includes more people of other races-such as Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars, yet is most greatly expressed by Black artists such as Usher, R.Kelly, Beyonce and Ashanti. Both genders in this category of music express similar feelings of hope or regret and the search for emotional and sexual satisfaction within the realm of their gender norms. In the video I have posted below, Beyonce puts a twist on the concept of male and female gender roles in relationships-stating the mans behavior as different from the females: the woman is serving, considerate, and faithful while the man is dismissive, selfish and insensitive. By switching roles physically in the video, we are able to absorb the visual portrayal of how the other would feel if they were to "walk in their shoes"-seeing a man act as a woman, and all that comes along with our assumptions of what a man is based on body, race, action and emotion, is a very interesting thing.
Link:
"If I Were A Boy" by Beyonce
Pop
Video: "One Less Lonely Girl" by Justin Bieber
Pop music is the most diverse in terms of age and gender. While the genre does frequently express ideas of heterosexual romance, it is broader in that it applies to people in general who listen to have a good time. The music is upbeat, and usually includes aspects of positivity both audibly and with its words. Popular pop artists include Katy Perry, Usher, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake. The song posted below by a young Justin Bieber (one of the most prominent pop artists) promotes heterosexual relationships, and reinforces societal concepts that a girl feels best when loved by a boy.
Link:
"One Less Lonely Girl" by Justin Bieber
Country
Video: "Are You Going To Kiss Me Or Not" by Thompson Square
Based on the intersectionality of geography and religion, much of country music has a more conservative message than other genres. The politics are majority conservative promote heterosexual marriage and the Christian religion. There is an air of positivity within the music, as it constantly references the beauty and contentment in God's simple blessings: pretty girls, nature and a good beer. The hegemonic country male is physically strong and emotionally sensitive-enough to connect with a female and then build a relationship in which he can be the protector. The females exist as beautiful, desired in sundresses and able to cook. Self-respect, work ethic, appreciation and communication of emotions are prized in both genders throughout the country genre. As in the song listed below, the female singer is displayed in a dress, feminine and appropriate-but with a stylish edge with her dyed hair. The lyrics display the highly romanticized destiny of country couples-as the male singer states that after one kiss he wants to get married. There is an intense level of commitment, admiration and completion of self based on the aspects of heterosexual love and a steady relationship with nature.
Link:
"Are You Going To Kiss Me Or Not" by Thompson Square
Rock
Video: "Harder To Breath" by Maroon 5
Modern rock music tends to be the most ambiguous about gender messages. Traditionally, rock was about rebellion and pushing boundaries-including those of a gender conformist attitude. Male rock artists very often wore tight pants, with their hair long and make-up on. While they were comfortable with their sense of style, and the idea of crossing the gender dressing boundaries-their lyrics and lives very much exhibited heterosexuality. The genre has greatly evolved, and now is considered to be more "alternative"-less extreme in the rebellious attitude and more applicable to the "everyday" listener. This said, there is still a sense of attitude, an air of confidence and non-conformity that has carried on with the genre.
Link:
"Harder To Breath" by Maroon 5