Sexism in the Music Industry

[OMonster 14,579]

It is almost anti-feminist to suggest that a confident, self-empowered, creative female is the product of our capitalist patriarchy. True artists, male or female, live and breathe show-business: an overt expression of performance, art and culture. Is a female's expression of show-business solely an example of both serving, and conforming to, the patriarchy? Or is it simply an expression of self-vision and talent?

Taking GaGa as an example, her more exposing outfits are not a form of exploitation - this is her at her most authentic, her most expressive and her most comfortable. Fashion and performance is key to the identity of artists, and whilst there is an irrefutable problem with the patriarchal construction of the music industry, it is wrong to suggest that as soon as a woman is naked, she is serving the male gaze - that she's a passive puppet sexualised for capitalist gain; that her innovative, liberating fashion is only worthy of bringing about more Vevo hits, more attention, more controversy. 

No - some artists (yes, such as GaGa) are simply asserting control over their own, expressive identity. Not for men, not for capitalism; for themselves, for their own artistic fulfilment. 

I think I went off on a bit of a tangent here, but feminism (and feministic views) in the music industry is a real passion of mine. Why do some more radical feminists claim that a naked woman is being exploited by the patriarchy? Why can't a naked woman be expressing her own liberty, confidence and freedom? 

[Kayla 7,595]

28 minutes ago, OMonster said:

It is almost anti-feminist to suggest that a confident, self-empowered, creative female is the product of our capitalist patriarchy. True artists, male or female, live and breathe show-business: an overt expression of performance, art and culture. Is a female's expression of show-business solely an example of both serving, and conforming to, the patriarchy? Or is it simply an expression of self-vision and talent?

Taking GaGa as an example, her more exposing outfits are not a form of exploitation - this is her at her most authentic, her most expressive and her most comfortable. Fashion and performance is key to the identity of artists, and whilst there is an irrefutable problem with the patriarchal construction of the music industry, it is wrong to suggest that as soon as a woman is naked, she is serving the male gaze - that she's a passive puppet sexualised for capitalist gain; that her innovative, liberating fashion is only worthy of bringing about more Vevo hits, more attention, more controversy. 

No - some artists (yes, such as GaGa) are simply asserting control over their own, expressive identity. Not for men, not for capitalism; for themselves, for their own artistic fulfilment. 

I think I went off on a bit of a tangent here, but feminism (and feministic views) in the music industry is a real passion of mine. Why do some more radical feminists claim that a naked woman is being exploited by the patriarchy? Why can't a naked woman be expressing her own liberty, confidence and freedom? 

Excellent points. 

I think it all comes down to what's going on under the surface. 

Some people say "Showing your body is an example of sexism and degrading to women!", others say "Showing your body is a sign of confidence and empowering to women!"

And in reality, they're both right. 

The point isn't to tell women what they should or shouldn't do with their bodies, it's to let them know it's their choice. They should have the right to choose to be sexy if they want too- not feel they have to in order to be noticed. They should have the right to choose to be modest- not feel they have to in order to be respected. 

At the end of the day a woman covering her body because she genuinely wants to is just as important to females and feminism as a woman wearing nothing but a thong because she genuinely wants to. At the end of the day, what's important is that she genuinely wants to do what she's doing. 

To suggest otherwise implies that a woman's worth lies in what she wears, and that mentality is damaging. 

[OMonster 14,579]

5 minutes ago, Kayla said:

Excellent points. 

I think it all comes down to what's going on under the surface.

At the end of the day, what's important is that she genuinely wants to do what she's doing. 

You are so absolutely right. If a woman, or a man by the same standard may I add, is being forced against their will and vision to sell more records, to become more marketable, to line the pocket's of misogynistic record executives - then there's a problem. There is no problem if an artist is naked if they want to be (audience permitted). 

[Kayla 7,595]

7 minutes ago, OMonster said:

You are so absolutely right. If a woman, or a man by the same standard may I add, is being forced against their will and vision to sell more records, to become more marketable, to line the pocket's of misogynistic record executives - then there's a problem. There is no problem if an artist is naked if they want to be (audience permitted). 

The way men get to act in music is living proof of this. Men can go shirtless on a magazine cover, have sexual imagery in their videos, sing about sex, etc. and it isn't debated. We don't discuss whether or not them posing in just their underwear is damaging. 
Men know, whether unconsciously or not, that their gaining of respect does not hinge on what they are or are not wearing. 

Of course there are exceptions and it's not absolute, but if there wasn't sexism in the music industry then we wouldn't be ONLY talking about women when we discuss using sex to sell. The fact that this topic only really comes up in relation to women is evidence that, yes- women do get treated differently about this kind of thing. 

[Noah 26,583]

7 hours ago, Fays1 said:

Lady Gaga is always naked but nobody accuses her of selling sex because it is authentic.. it seems like the only thing pop female artists want to express these days is their sexuality and they do it for publicity. This has nothing to do with sexism.

Not true, we once had a project in school about Sex in the Media and the company that did the project said that 'Alejandro' was the most sexualized Video ever and that it's hurting the children

[Prismatic 4,789]

28 minutes ago, Noahhh said:

Not true, we once had a project in school about Sex in the Media and the company that did the project said that 'Alejandro' was the most sexualized Video ever and that it's hurting the children

If they think Aleejandro is the most sexualized video, then I pray to god that they'll never see Justify My Love/Erotica by Madonna. 

[RAMROD 104,194]

lol bet they would run away naked too if they got body like Britney's or Bey's

[Hexxx 2,244]

FIrst of all, showing that much skin and booty in a music video is unnecessary, period. Boy or girl it doesn't matter. they aren't showing skin in their videos to "embrace" themselves, they're trying to sale themselves. get attention. to be on "the top sexy list" and it makes no sense.  

9 hours ago, Daredevil said:

The problem is if a woman shows skin it's sluty, but if a man has 100 women in bikini in his music video it's totally normal. People who say feminism isn't necessary are ignorant.  

This was never ever an okay thing. This has always been frowned upon

[Hexxx 2,244]

When Demi posed Naked for a photoshoot, you guys dragged her 

 

[RAMROD 104,194]

1 minute ago, Hexxx said:

When Demi posed Naked for a photoshoot, you guys dragged her 

 

Sounds familiar. Who dass??

 

[Hexxx 2,244]

12 minutes ago, RAMROD said:

Sounds familiar. Who dass??

 

*ahem ahem I think you all may know her as "POOT" 

 

[iCpro 14,846]

 

[mmm 879]

4 hours ago, Noahhh said:

Not true, we once had a project in school about Sex in the Media and the company that did the project said that 'Alejandro' was the most sexualized Video ever and that it's hurting the children

Well in this case they are talking about how it effects children and yes the Alejandro video is not a video children should watch. I dont care what your school says but in general, people dont see Gaga as someone who uses sex even though she is naked more than artists like Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande. There is no doubt that todays female artists are pressured to be sexual and people today know who these artists are and criticize them so it has nothing to do with sexism. I personally think its disgusting what Nicki Minaj and most female artists are doing yet I dont have a problem when I sow Gagas photoshoot showing her vagina or how Christina Aguilera was always nude during her stripped era.