Gender and race are diversly represented in popular musical genres. In society ,over the years, often enough an artist’s music will influence the audience’s personal identity. Exploring gender and race, this paper will identify how these are represented across performance of genres. It will ask how these representations are maintained and how they affect or challenge the identity of their audience. Focusing on female rock, country, heavy metal and hip hop will identify the diversity of gender and race perspectives.
Though Hip hop is dominated by the black male culture, it is obvious that how race is portrayed comes from a white mans perspective. The performances surrounding black culture reflect a limited perception of what being a black man …show more content…
The portrayal of innocent, playful, girlish feminity plays in performances as a contrast of women objectifying. But is this cultural construction of female youth really a symbol of womens power? G. Wald (1998) believes that this act of defiance may actually contribute to patriarchy after all. The presentations by women taking part in this girlish persona supports that women “ aquire attention, approval, and authority to the degree that they are willing to act like children( p.588).” G.Wald (1998) also explains performances like Gwen Stefani’s ‘I’m Just A Girl’ may not represent feminism but female disempowerment. Girlhood is also argued by Wald (1998) to be a strategy that maintains white racial authority. Stefani’s portrayal of girlhood excludes certain racial, social and economic …show more content…
The highly presented theme of ‘love’ offers opportunities for artists to challenge gender roles in their performances. Country music is an example of pop culture today, where women resist submissive roles and act independantly. J.Wilson (2000) demonstrates in country music videos how women are highly represented. Men are demonstrated to articulate self blame, reconciliation and traditional happiness around the themes of love. However, women are perceived to be more assertive, analytical and less inclined to self blame. Shania Twain in her video ‘That don’t impress me much’, portrays a protaganist mocking men for not meeting her standards. The video sees Shania Twain donned in full leopard print implying self-confidence and assertiveness. This representation is contrasted to rock music videos where women are oversexualised and exploited by male
Though Hip hop is dominated by the black male culture, it is obvious that how race is portrayed comes from a white mans perspective. The performances surrounding black culture reflect a limited perception of what being a black man …show more content…
The portrayal of innocent, playful, girlish feminity plays in performances as a contrast of women objectifying. But is this cultural construction of female youth really a symbol of womens power? G. Wald (1998) believes that this act of defiance may actually contribute to patriarchy after all. The presentations by women taking part in this girlish persona supports that women “ aquire attention, approval, and authority to the degree that they are willing to act like children( p.588).” G.Wald (1998) also explains performances like Gwen Stefani’s ‘I’m Just A Girl’ may not represent feminism but female disempowerment. Girlhood is also argued by Wald (1998) to be a strategy that maintains white racial authority. Stefani’s portrayal of girlhood excludes certain racial, social and economic …show more content…
The highly presented theme of ‘love’ offers opportunities for artists to challenge gender roles in their performances. Country music is an example of pop culture today, where women resist submissive roles and act independantly. J.Wilson (2000) demonstrates in country music videos how women are highly represented. Men are demonstrated to articulate self blame, reconciliation and traditional happiness around the themes of love. However, women are perceived to be more assertive, analytical and less inclined to self blame. Shania Twain in her video ‘That don’t impress me much’, portrays a protaganist mocking men for not meeting her standards. The video sees Shania Twain donned in full leopard print implying self-confidence and assertiveness. This representation is contrasted to rock music videos where women are oversexualised and exploited by male