In pop star diva world, the competition is on as to who can identify the skimpiest accessory to wear and become the ultimate male fantasy. There’s something for every man’s desire; the housewife, the she-wolf, the inmate, the rock star and the sex slave/uber woman (this last Kelis video would be ok if only they had skipped the scene with the Siberian huskies drooling over her naked body? I mean wtf??)
The saddest thing is that, with the possible exception of Rihanna, these ladies can all sing. It’s not even the case of using sex to sell a talentless artist.
Perhaps it’s slightly hypocritical, but I don’t necessarily mind nudity in videos. The naked body (male or female) is beautiful, and to expose it artistically and sensually can in my opinion be stimulating, in the same way that for example a well-written poem can be. It can pull on your heart-strings that is, rather than any other strings! For example Badu’s video or D’angelo’s, were to me actually quite beautiful because they are simply celebrating nudity naturally and creatively.
It’s the over-sexualization of women’s nature, the association with slavery, the discourtesy to Eros vis-a-vis the respect to the Hugh Hefner’s of the world, that to me is dangerously dis-empowering and completely unnecessary.
Anyhow, judging by the latest videos, which all look very similar, here’s my pop star wishlist:
- Black lipstick for achieving that sadomasochistic look
- Alternative materials to wear as clothes, such as rope or cable wire.
- Chains or duct tape or anything else to achieve that slave or a prisoner look
- A female friend to make out with, just because it turns men on
Am I forgetting something? An apron to wear on top of my underwear maybe?
*Sighs*
Nice post, Ms.
As far as the competition for skimpy goes, I think Gaga wins with her duct tape inmate scene. Strangely perhaps, I've never thought that scene offensive. I guess because I don't find Gaga sexy. So I associated that scene (if I made any associations at all) with Gaga being provocatively gaga, artistic or not.
I think I've started becoming desensitized. A lot of these videos don't affect me at all… not on a conscious level anyway. It's like someone has to take 'sexiness' to such ridiculous levels to evoke any reaction from me that it becomes… well, ridiculous, rather than sexy. From there, it is the simple, elegant things that evoke anything from me.
So maybe as it gets worse, it will sort itself out. I don't know if that makes any sense. I'm thinking as I type!
"The saddest thing is that, with the possible exception of Rihanna, these ladies can all sing". for a moment there i thought i was the only one who thought Rihanna culdn't sing. lol
I almost called it the gaga effect the other evening until hubby reminded me of Madonna. I guess it's not today but it's like every female musician wants to jump on the bandwagon. I made my comment while we watched Miley Cyrus of yesterday on Idols I think. Some, like Alicia Keys give me hope though.
Co-sign.
@ Que, it's great to hear a man's opinion and especially such an insightful and progressive one, which did totally make sense. Thanks for sharing.
@fabladyH, hehe it's a bit too nasal to classify for talent I reckon
@Myne, Alicia is what a pop star should be like, I agree. Let's hope she isn't influenced to compete for her place in the top 5 most naked
@Saratu 🙂
i concur!Riri cannot sing
It seems to me that you should be doing quite well without anything on that checklist. If not, then all those men around you must simply be blind as bats!
While I am not against music videos per se, I still believe that the true worth of a song is better judged when there are no "mini-movie" accompaniments. Let the genius of the lyrics and the melody do the "talking". How many of today's musicians will be left standing if their songs were strictly on audio without videos (very, very few)
What I find interesting however, is how any body you ask will quickly concur that the amount of nudity in music videos today is unacceptable but how come then, that the trend is still in that direction?
@Eyitemi, I guess the proof is in the pudding, that what people say, and what really makes them tick, is not always in agreement unfortunately.
However, it might also be as a previous commenter, Que, touched on. It might be, that the uber-sexualization of female pop star icons has to go to extremes before even more people will get tired of it and it will eventually reduce and sort itself.
Personally, I'm feeling like I can't picture how much more extreme it could get though…!
Like Que? said, I must have become desensitized to it because when I read your post, I agreed with it immediately but it took me a few moments to think of any provocative videos that came to mind, then it hit me … almost every single video by all the artists you named! I guess I no longer expect anything less, or more, from any of them.
Funnily enough, I haven't watched any recent Rihanna or Lady Gaga videos and thought that they were sexy, but I watched Ciara's new video where for the most part she's wearing leggings and a crop top and I admit, I thought 'damn!'.
So maybe as some of the comments discussed, it'll get so ridiculous and no longer sexy that it'll come full circle and to be sexy, female singers will go back to basics; revealing not exposing, hinting not spelling it out!
I dont know about other guys but personally, the moment i see a naked/semi-naked pop star in a music vid, everything else takes a back seat it's like someone hit the mute button on my remote; all i see is hip movement, cleavage, cup size, and then nooooo the video is over. lol.
Haha my point exactly! Pop videos have the same effect on men as soft porn
*SOme men. Some are desensitized.