Case Study 3 - Representation (UNFINISED - PLAN)

Andrew Goodwin 'There is a frequent reference to the notion and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body'



Women in this modern day and age are widely represented negatively in the music industry (especially in Hip Hop/Pop), many celebrities use "sex" to sell their products, sometimes subtly, sometimes not, this is because of the known fact that "sex sells". Many women musicians project the idea that they want to get ahead in the music industry, and feel that they can only do this by flaunting their womanly attributes, resulting in their costumes being provocative and overly sexual. A lot of female artists rely heavily on being hyper-sexualised female performers to appeal to a large audience within the music industry. Resulting in their behaviour effecting young and impressionable generations that assume that this is the correct way to present themselves. For example Young (8+ years) girls idolise celebrities such as Britney and Rihanna who, in their music videos, portray women as demeaning and one dimensional. This highlights that the musicians do not care of their effect on young children, but they only know that sexy images shift records, the persist that they are 'playing a role that is far easier to play in a male centred sexually charged industry'. The soulless portrayal of female artists in the media suggests that they are exploited and objectified, they also produce unrealistic representations of beauty, which damages individual’s body image and values. However some individuals would argue that it is not only women who consult the idea of "sex selling", an example of Elvis gyrating his hips in the 1950s, targeted the audience of women, resulting in Elvis selling vast amounts of records, not only because of his unique talent, but of the sex appeal to women.

   

When I was nine the Pussycat Dolls and Christiania Aguilera were the most well-known female artists, their videos were provocative and represented women in a demeaning and nasty way. However at the age in which the tracks were released, I was too naïve to think of the videos any more than just that of a song, and the clothes worn were the latest trends at that time. This is a perfect example that the impact of the representation of females in the music industry, effects that of young children. How has treating women like this become the backdrop of our daily lives? To stop children from witnessing explicit aspects of media, films and games have age certificates on them, stopping them from being exhibited to children of a young age, but how does this not occur within music videos? Children of all ages in all locations (bowling alleys and cafes) are witnessing the provocative nature, without even their own consent let alone their parents.

Christina Aquilera's 'Can't hold us down' was widely recognized by some as a feminist anthem; 'great anthem about a women sticking up for themselves in a misogynistic way'. Lyrically I would agree with this statement; the song criticises the common idea that men are applauded for their sexual behaviours, whilst women who behave in the same way are looked down upon and judged; 'The guy gets all the glory the more he can score/why the girl can do the same and yet you call her a whore'. However I feel that the video contradicts the lyrics completely, if the message that she is trying to get across is "women should not be accused of sleeping around', she contradicts this by dressing exactly the way in which she is trying to oppose.

Miley cyrus

Miley Cyrus (Destiny Hope Cyrus) was born in 1992 in Nashville. She is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, and has Dolly Parton for a godmother. She is an american actress and recording artist, and became known as a teen idol in 2006 with the role of "Miley Stewart" in the hit Disney tv series Hannah Montana, which led to her getting a record deal from Hollywood Records. Recently she has been known for her bad reputation, and the way she presents herself (women) in the media. She emphasizes the idea that women must use their bodies to get recognition in the music industry.

In 2008 (age 15) Miley began transitioning into an adult image; 'As an idol to teens over the world, Miley will have to face adulthood... as she does, she'll want to change her image and that change will be met with adversity' - Donny Osoma. Hannah Montana had such success that she starred in the feature film "Hannah Montana: The Movie", whose soundtrack and lead single 'The climb' introduced her to country and adult contemporary markets. At the age of just 15, Miley posed topless, wrapped in a bed sheet, for a photo shoot in Vanity Fair, which caused massive outcry for fans and parents, as the teen icon was representing the idea that children at 15 should behave in the same manner. Miley was quoted expressing that they were 'silly inappropriate shots, I am going to make mistakes, I am not perfect. I never intended for any of this to happen'. coincidentally her market value picked up considerably after. 

Miley developed an adult image and mainstream pop sound with the album 'Time of our lives'. Mileys highest peaking single in the charts (2009) 'Party in the USA' caused media uproar regarding her performance at the Teen Choice Awards. Some viewers criticized the singer for her provocative outfit and the inclusion of a brief pole dance routine, which was completely inappropriate for the 16 year old, and her teenage fans. Children as young as 5 attend the Teen choice awards, parents and critics felt that there was a time and place for raunchy behaviour, in front of their young children, regardless of being their "idol", this location was not one of them. However News Day reported that her sexualisation 'has been coming for some time, 'it worked for Britney... Good girl gone bad'. 

Her maturing image progressed with the film 'The last song' and her album 'Can't be tamed' (2010). The album featured more prominent dance elements then her earlier releases, and was promoted through sexually themed performances. Mileys performance on Britain's Got Talent of Can't be tamed, included outfits and dance routines which were considerably more provocative then previous performances. This aroused media criticism as she grabbed a female backing dancer dipping her low stimulating a kiss, but never the less, a considerable amount of attention. Again emphasizing the representation, that to get far in the music industry women must use their bodies to promote their music.

I particularly noticed in the video 'Who Owns My Heart', that Miley looks very uncomfortable and awkward with the way she is portraying herself. It suggests that she has been somewhat persuaded to act in a way which she is not comfortable with, to boost her fan base and gain a wider target audience. 

Miley Cyrus "transformation" to the extreme began in 2012, when she cut her trademark long brown hair and dyed it blonde. This generated a considerable amount of media attention, she explained that she had 'never felt more myself'. This again emphasizes the idea that women must look a certain way to be known in the industry; rather than changing her style of music, she chose to present herself in a more reckless and unique way. She always grabbed the spotlight by "twerking" on stage at her concerts, which is dancing in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low squatting stance. Evidently not a dance which should be shown in front of her young teen fans. 


"We can't stop" was released in 2013, the video received a mix reception, as it highlighted her within a more sexual public image, never the less this lead her to achieve ten million views in 24 hours on the Youtube. There was a subject of widespread media attention and public scrutiny following her controversial performance and duet with Robin Thicke and the Video Music Awards. Miley was costumed in a skin colored latex outfit ('If I could have been naked, I would've been'), and she began to touch and twerk against Thickes crotch. News and social media sites featured numerous articles about parental concerns with the performance and the impact it had on children (many whom are Mileys fans), as the performance was exhibited for everyone with no prewarning of explicit nature. A Hollywood reported described the performance as a 'bad acid trip'. Some individuals even felt that the performance contributed to the dehumanization of black women in using them as a living prop, and Miley slapping one on the backside. She responded however with 'their over thinking it. You're over thinking it more than I thought about it when I did it'.

Miley was interviewed on the Ellen Degeneres show about her 'psychotic' performance, it was a chance for Miley to explain herself. She explained that her performance was not to be taken seriously, 'I was dressed as a teddy bear for Christ sake', and she did not understand the shock regarding her performance. She also felt that it was unfair to be criticized when other female artists, such as Lady Gaga, were dressed far more inappropriately than she was.  Elton John responded to Mileys performance by saying that artists 'are competing against each other for attention', but surely this a bad representation of women, as he is saying to get attention in the music industry, you must wear next to nothing and dance provocatively? This is worrying, especially regarding young children, who aspire to be these artists, as they will think that acting in the same way will provide them the same attention. Mileys "excuse" for not wearing many clothes frequently, is that clothes give her anxiety, and she feels enclosed and captured when wearing them. She also claimed that the only individuals opinions she cares for, are that of her fans. But does she not care of the impact and influence she is contributing to her fans?

Lady Gaga at the VMAs

The single 'Wrecking Ball' was released soon after the end of her engagement with Liam Hemsworth, it was her first number one in the USA and promotes the controversial idea that young women should be sexually available to express their emotions. 

Miley recently starred in a documentary about her life called ' Miley The Movement', here she justified her actions, and gave her audience an incite of her life. One aspect which stood out to me tremendously was a scene of Miley talking to a fan who had customized her own clothing, it was obvious that the fan was a tween and is influenced by Miley in a big way, I would not say it is a good influence.

Lily Allen

Born in 1985, Lily Allen is known for her hardhitting contraversiol music, but the world was not prepared for her new release since 2009 of Hard Out Here. Unlike Miley Cyrus's Wrecking Ball, the video does include the sign of explicit content, which is one, and possibly the only good fact about the video.

The video begins with Allen on an operating table proceeding with liposuction; it seems, at her manager’s request who is asking the question 'how can somebody get themselves like this'. Suggesting the mistreatment of women in the music industry, regarding to the fact that their bodies must change and progress to social norms, if they want success. She is handled and judged like a peice of meat, which is how many women are treated within the music industry.  'You'll find me in the studio and not in the kitchen/I won't be bragging 'bout my cars or talking 'bout my chains.', suggesting the feminist side of Allen’s video, that as a feminist she will not be expected to participate in "women’s" activities, but in fact do what she wants, even if many see it as a "mans job". However it could be seen as offensive to women who choose to take part in domestic roles. 'If I told you 'bout my sex life, you'd call me a slut/when boys be talkin ' bout their bitches, no one’s making a fuss', this statement highlights the difference between how men and women are treated differently, not only in the music industry, but in the everyday life also. 'Forget your balls and grow a pair of tits', emphasises the fact that it is harder for a female in the music industry, and if a male was treated in this way, he would not "survive". She is expressing that men should 'try being a women in this society and tell me how easy it is'. By calling herself a 'bitch', she is mocking the misogynistic term that the likes of Robin Thicke refer women as. However It is also suggested that by accusing herself and other women as bitches, she is contributing to the sexism. By stating the word 'bitch' she is creating a relationship between her and all the other members of the audience who have been called a bitch. The video makes a bold, brash and huge statement about sexualisation and objectification of women in the music industry, however it is not clear whether the statement is positive or negative.

There was a discussion on radio 4 during Women’s Hour, which echoed the distress of fans and race and feminist campaigners voiced their concerns. Many people have been 'troubled' by the racial message of the video, and the idea of Allen being racist has been suggested by many. This firstly can be seen with the lyrics ' Don't need to shake my ass for you/Cause I’ve got a brain', the video than cuts to the shot of the black women shaking their bums, this suggests the idea that Allen is insinuating that the black dancers are not smart and 'do not have a brain'. The concept of racisms is seen again within the video, as Allen and the two white backing dancers are covered up (gold jackets, long sleeve dress), whereas the black dancers are barely covered, hardly protecting their modesty. Regarding this criticism and the heightened view of Allens racism, she thought back, and produced a tweet with statements on how this was completely unnecessary and that she was 'not going to apologise,' because that would imply that she was 'guilty of something'.



Allen is focusing on the mistreatment and representation of women in the music industry, but in some aspects she is going about it the wrong way. Firstly, young girls may not understand the deeper message of this video, and just see Allen on the screen 'shaking her ass' and calling herself a 'bitch', and believe that this is the correct way to act. Also by addressing the fact that she feels it is unacceptable for Thicke and Cyrus to dance provocatively half dressed, she is contradicting herself, as she is doing the same within her video. Although it may be a parody, she is still attracting the attention from audiences from participating in 'shaking her assets'.   




Robin Thicke