The moment Adele took Madonna’s record was the moment it
appeared female artists no longer have to be sexualised to be successful. To an
extent, of course, Adele is manufactured, as is the case with almost every
successful pop star. But her success is principally built around her talent and
her amazing voice. Her songs really resonate with people and it’s so refreshing
that we’re more interested in her music than what she looks like, what she’s
wearing or who she’s shagging. Most pop stars look like they’ve been created
using a “sex symbol” iPhone app, but Adele is different. Most female pop stars
look exactly the same. I can’t tell one Saturday from the next.
Unfortunately, Adele is the exception and not yet the rule.
My gym has MTV’s “Debase Yourself” or something on a loop and it’s a reminder
that sex still sells - the images in those videos! They’re kind of extreme,
with lots of nearly-naked women writhing around. Unsurprisingly, Adele’s videos
never seem to make it on to that channel.
Adele has managed to resist
this trend of pushing the sexualisation of pop stars further and further. I
remember when “I Want Your Sex” by George Michael came out in 1987 and people
were freaking out over the lyrics to the point where, when it got to No.01
Bruno Brooks introduced it as “I Want....” and they wouldn’t play the video. He
was only talking about wanting to have sex, which seems lame compared to what
we have nowadays.
On the whole, male performers
aren’t sexualised in the same way as women. They tend to be branded as soppy
romantics and perfect boyfriends - soft lighting, floppy fringe, vulnerable lip
quiver - because their largely female audience is more likely to respond to
romantic rather than sexual images. Look at boy band The Wanted. Girls would
want to go out with them but wouldn’t necessarily want to sleep with them,
whereas when men talk about Rihanna they don’t discuss whether she’d be good
wife material. Adele is an overdue relief from the endless fantasy shag parade.
While I’m delighted by her achievements, I find it really
disappointing that we’re talking about her breaking a record for a female solo
artist – as Adele said, female is a gender not a genre. Why do we still have to
measure female artists against male artists? People do the same thing with
female comedians; I don’t use the word ‘comediennes’. Why can’t a female comic
just be somebody’s favourite comedian rather than somebody favourite female comedian? It’s like saying you’re
my favourite disabled comic or you’re my favourite black comic - why separate
people like that?
Adele can be a positive influence and an inspiration for
women who don’t fit in with the industry’s idea of what a female pop star
should look like. Maybe one day the mood will change and she’ll become a Lady
Gaga character dry-humping the stage with flames coming out of her bikini, but
I can’t see it. The only change I can foresee is her cheering up a bit. (All
those songs about heartbreak). She’s got the world at her feet, a hubbie, a
bubbie, I bet the last thing on her mind is push up bras and monokinis!
I'm not going to write a long comment. I've decided that I'd prefer to listen to 21.... again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder.
Peter C
Good call :)
DeleteI'll try to keep this short and not bleet on too much.
ReplyDeleteI think "Debase yourself" is right on the money. There's nothing empowering about what a lot of female artists do in their own videos and there should be more female artists who aren't about being sexualised. I say past artists have handled sexuality more tastefully (if provocative at the time) and didn't humiliate themselves quite so much either.
Also I don't tend to make the distinction between comedian/comedienne (as far as I'm concerned as a comedian your material and personality are what matters), but I do say actor and actress. I think that's largely perception for some people and the baggage those terms come with for some. For me it's just how I refer to people in those professions. I don't think of it any further than that and actress seems fine enough for people like Helen Mirren.
As for measuring female artists. I don't see why there shouldn't recognise both the overall best artists as well as best female/male/black etc artists. Some people like to be recognised as the best of a bunch whether it's split down by genre, gender or race.
Fair points, well made :)
DeleteJust because the hypocracy angers me, why do the MOBO Awards still exist? Would Comedy Of Black Origin Awards be tolerated?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'm white, so can't complain without being accused of racism.
Sort it out Andi, will ya?
Mike
Yes, there is a COBO, well it's actually called the Black Comedy Awards because there is a 'Black' circuit that feel they won't receive recognition via the mainstream so have elected to create their own ceremony. This was was also the reason for the genesis of the MOBOs though it has, in effect, become redundant as "Music of Black Origin" is no longer marginalised in the way it was at the time of the awards inception.
DeleteYou are not being racist for posing the question but it's a long held fallacy that when a minority or poorly represented group distinguishes itself this is somehow comparable with a dominant groups position. i.e. Because woman are calling for an end to men-only golf clubs, men should call for the end of women-only gyms.
The two are not comparable because the playing field was not even in the first place.
Unfortunately as a 30 something, working, white British male, life is going to appear a little unjust as various groups attempt to address the inequalities of past generations.