There are artists who
do praise female empowerment through the lyrics of their songs. Artist such as
Madonna, Queen Latifa, and Cyndie Lauper created to promote the feminine beauty
and empowerment to battle the societal expectations of sexually active women
being labeled as “whores.” But since then the music industry has profited from
these sexually confident artists and enforced future female popular music
artist into sexually exposing themselves to sell music. Since hypersexuality
has been normalized by the music industry, these female popular music artists are
expected by society to sing and act provocatively. Now that it has become the
norm, women are remembered for their body and not their talents. This leaves
the female artists wondering why they are being objectified by society.
Back in 2003, the song,
“Can’t Hold Us Down” by Christina Aguilera featuring Lil Kim was released to
combat the societal negative perception of the promiscuity among women, a
common double-standard among gender. The two prominent vocal activists,
Christrina and Lil Kim, sing/rap influential lyrics of empowerment.
"If you look back in
history,
It's a common double
standard of society.
The guy gets all the
glory the more he can score
While the girl can do
the same and yet you call her a whore.
I don't understand why
it's okay.
The guy can get away
with it & the girl gets named.
All my ladies come
together and make a change.
Start a new beginning
for us. Everybody sing!
This is for my girls
all around the world
Who've come across a
man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women
should be seen, not heard
What do we do girls?
Shout Out Loud!
Letting them know we're
gonna stand our ground.
Lift your hands high
and wave 'em proud.
Take a deep breath and
say it loud,
'Never can. Never will.
Can't hold us down!'"
However, they contradict
themselves through the visuals portray in the music videos of the same song. In
their music video, Chrisitna Aguilera and Lil are the ones wearing minimal clothes. Even
though the time of the setting was during a hot day, the silent, less active
women are fully clothed, implying how women who display their bodies are more
powerful. Christina being an alumni from Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club airing
during the 1990s, one wonder is she is embracing hypersexuality as an escape
for the lingering Disney child image. (CAguileraVEVO 3:15)
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