Throughout the years, the image of being female has evolved. From the "must-stay-home", to the "we-are-the-same-as-men", to the "we-only-care-about-how-we-look". But now in the music industry we see women who are "sexually liberated". See, I have no problem with this, I definitely believe that women shouldn't be judged for this and have as much right to express themselves, just like their male counterparts.
But what this creates is an atmosphere and pressure of homogeneity. What they are creating is a new "normal". The norm before was women as a symbol purity, but now with the promiscuous lyrics and videos, we now have a trend. We are telling aspiring female artistes that :"If you want to make it, this is how you should be, that should be your image". Of course one can see how problematic that is.
Although these women are trying to level the field and are just being themselves, we see the old age "sex sells" mantra to be true. This has been a truth for years and there are very many women in the industry, who can atest to a time in their careers where they have been pressured to change and be more promiscuous to be successful. And yes, after they did, they DID make it. And that is completely not their fault, they make what is being consumed, this is what is being pushed in the media( the father of all evils), this is what people want to see. As much as these women are famous and successful, they usually regret doing it and are extremely critisised for it, which is completely unfair, seeing as they usually have no other option. It's either that or go back to where they come from.
This is especially present in the hip-hop community. Where people actually have the AUDACITY to say that female rappers all rap about the same affairs. When in reality, there are SEVERAL female rappers who are just as good as the acclaimed male rappers. But the difference is there are pushed or exhibited as much.
The industry is selling a narrative. A narrative that quenchs the "Male Gaze". This of course, now creates a very narrow route for art. This means that women who are more conservative or are uncomfortable with that, have no voice. Their art isn't getting recognised or celebrated. For black women, it is especially true. Their is already a mould that is made for black women. And black female artistes who don't fit this mould are side-lined.
In the last few years of mainstream music, we have been served promiscuous, sexual content. Nothing different is being promoted and that is clearly discouraging and damaging for all the up-coming artists who don't do the same.
How women are perceived in music, has been a conversation going on. Usually one-sided as the women are always blamed, always forgetting about consumer culture and the characteristics it takes to actually make it in the industry.
In the future, I hope art will become art and women shall be praised for the individual prowess and different personalities, instead of being shoved in a box and being controlled. So as we go forward, let's venture into different spaces of music and change the narrative.
Song:
Rosie Lowe - Woman
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