Make Me Proud is a song created by Drake, featuring Nikki Minaj. The lyrics of this song can be analyzed through a feminist perspective. Drake begins the first verse by highlighting both positive and negative female characteristics in a provocative fashion. He continues with this approach throughout the song, contradicting the way that he celebrates women with opposing points of view, and then manipulates the song lyrics to also define those contradicting characteristics in a positive light. The sexual references are like lightning bolts throughout the song; rocking the world of the listener by enticing them with the controversy that woman can use sex for power. Although this idea of power could provoke a negative connotation towards women, Drake reinforces the celebration of womanhood by acknowledging his own obsession, and submission to the female sex. The song calls into question some of our culture’s ideologies about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior for women in society. By celebrating the accomplishments, as well as what society would normally view as the faults of the main character, the lyrics are making a strong claim that empowers accomplished women, by supporting the idea that woman can, and should use sex for power. The lyrics of Drake’s song highlight the progress of women through the accomplishments of the main character. A portion of the chorus explains that she’s “been through hell and back”, emphasizing that she hasn’t had it easy and that she’s had to work hard. The lyrics reinforce her determination to succeed when mentioning her “weekend in Miami, tryna study by the pool” and a “Couple things due, but you always get it done”. The song also mentions her sounding smart, while making references to graduating college. These lyrics create the image of an educated woman, dedicated to her studies, and her future. Within the song, there are many other lyrics like these that empower women, by referencing the struggles that they have overcome to become successful. The aspect of dedication takes an interesting twist with the following lyrics: “Running on a treadmill and only eating salad”. This line focuses on the main character’s efforts to maintain a slim, and sexy body, provoking arousal, and introducing a support for sexuality through an emphasis on body image. The first verse directly makes comments about sex, saying “why you wanna have no sex; Why you wanna protest, why you wanna fight for your right.” These lines make a powerful statement to the listeners about the power struggles of sex; Introducing the idea of fighting for your rights, battles the controversies of promiscuity, and social expectations of sexuality. The lyrics contradict themselves in the same manner that the entire song holds contradictions: Supporting abstinence, while also emphasizing the right to choose. The song goes on to promote sex with the help of sex icons like Dolly Parton and Nikki Minaj. Nikki Minaj is known for her vulgar sex lyrics, her obscene outfits, and her bisexuality, making a statement in itself. The second verse, rapped by Nikki, comments on Dolly Parton’s double D’s; Celebrating how she revolutionized the way society viewed sexuality when calling attention to her large breasts. The tone of Nikki’s verse is drastically different, making an obvious switch towards linking sex with power. She sings “And I always ride slow when I’m straddlin’; And my
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By beginning the song with descriptions of the main character refraining from sex, as well as fighting for her rights, the lyrics empower women by supporting both the decision to abstain from sex, as well as the decision to indulge. Nikki Minaj’s verse reinforces the idea that sex may be used for power by vocalizing her sexual abilities in the lyrics. Dolly Parton is also introduces as a sex icon to establish that sexual freedom, although controversial, is empowering through the basic idea that it is just that- FREEDOM.
Although the lyrics have the power to negatively influence future generations toward sexual exhibitionism, that is not the point that the song is trying to make. After all of the struggles that women have endured in the past, the lyrics are embracing the progress that woman have made by embracing the freedoms they now have, even the freedom of using sex to attain
By beginning the song with descriptions of the main character refraining from sex, as well as fighting for her rights, the lyrics empower women by supporting both the decision to abstain from sex, as well as the decision to indulge. Nikki Minaj’s verse reinforces the idea that sex may be used for power by vocalizing her sexual abilities in the lyrics. Dolly Parton is also introduces as a sex icon to establish that sexual freedom, although controversial, is empowering through the basic idea that it is just that- FREEDOM.
Although the lyrics have the power to negatively influence future generations toward sexual exhibitionism, that is not the point that the song is trying to make. After all of the struggles that women have endured in the past, the lyrics are embracing the progress that woman have made by embracing the freedoms they now have, even the freedom of using sex to attain