Critical Approaches to Gender and 21st Century Pop Music

Here is a music video from Lindsay's short time career as a singer

As we watched in class, i thought i'd re-post it so everyone can enjoy the brilliance that are Bratz! They are real people too!

here are six arguments stating that Taylor Swift is worse than Miley

This is probably the WORST article for someone like me to read. Purely because I just LOVE Taylor Swift and couldn't hate Miley Cyrus anymore if I tried. Whoever wrote this is obviously just basing their facts off of the stuff that is touched upon in the media, particularly in relation to the songs Taylor Swift writes. 1. Oh Taylor's songs lack depth? And Miley's don't? Turn on the radio and listen to some of the trash they call 'music' on there and then come back and say that again. Yes, she writes about breakups but at least she can say that she experienced her songs unlike the crap that most popular artists sings who's lyrics were practically pulled out of a hat and strung together. 2. Not ALL her songs are about how she was victimized by her exes, they just so happen to be the ones that make it to the charts. For example, 'Back to December' was written about her previous relationship with Taylor Lautner and that she was wrong for hurting him etc. 'Better Than Revenge' is claimed to be about Camilla Belle after she quickly hooked up with Joe Jonas after he and Taylor split. Her first hit and most famous song 'Love Story' isn't even about a break up! 3. People criticize that Taylor is predictable because she only writes songs about break ups, well if that's so then why doesn't the public gather together and get her non-breakup songs on the charts? Why? Because they prefer the breakup ones. 4. Miley is a self-absorbed, loud, ex Disney star who is trying to break away from her Hannah Montana image and is only making her image worse.

This blog post talks about how Miley Cyrus is a genius because "she doesn't just talk like a bad girl, she behaves like one...if you're a musician, that's an incredible place to be."  Sinead O'Connor also wrote a letter to Miley about empowerment.

I feel Cyrus' response to this letter so shocking by talking about Sinead O'Connor having had mental illness and re-tweeting post O'Connor said whilst mentally ill. It appears O'Connor meant well and Cyrus' reaction was uncalled and down right mean. This however may be said for the shock value that it is been made clear Miley Cryrus is all about now!!

Zoe, I agree that Cyrus's response was awful--that rather than deal with issues, she taunts and resorts to attacking her for her mental illness, which especially bothers me.

Another Miley Cyrus Parody! I find these hilarious and I would be interested to see what Miley herself would think of these. Is this the way she wanted this video to appear? However like they say no publicity is bad publicity!

A review of the album that "Can't Hold Us Down" by Christina Aguilera is on.  The review especially discusses the album and song from a third wave feminism point of view.

A discussion of Nirvana's album "Nevermind" and how the band's feminist ideals changed music for women and girls at large.

Minaj defends her personality, and calls out the double standard in which men can be demanding and assertive and be a "boss," whereas women are called "bitches"

Robin Skouteris creates this mashup of Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball" and Senead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," and it's pretty good!

Here is a letter from Kayla about Miley Cyrus, her new persona and her SNL skit last week. Formal Hannah Montana fan, Kayla's letter gives us a glimpse on how Miley Cyrus's old fans feel about her new "self".

Here is the parody Miley did on SNL of her song, "We Can't Stop." I think it's pretty funny! EDIT: Sorry guys, that link isn't working anymore. Here's another one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik1bdoufPt0

This article simply discusses Miley Cyrus recently hosting SNL and the general reaction. It also provides links to a couple of her skits during the performance.

This is Rihanna's new song and video, I thought it was interesting as I feel it is a good example of how ratchet cultural as gone mainstream.

Since this weeks readings are on authenticity, I thought I'd share this music video by the band Foster The People which takes a rather comical approach to issues of authenticity, by having the studio executive struggling to find a way to make the band play a show even after they have died. 

I guess Miley has some new photos out that are pretty risque.  This post just writes about how Miley is all about the controversy and getting people to talk about her.

I agree with the post, i guess is easy to say that Miley is always fame hungry and wants people to talk about her. But surely if people keep talking about her won't they just get bored.

Following the recent spate of controversy over the sexualisation of artists in today's pop culture. Singer Annie Lennox has criticized not the artists but how musics ''market forces don't give a toss about the notion of boundaries''. However Lennox agrees with freedom of speech and expression, but it is effectively depressing to see and all the sexualised performances as just a glorified and monetized form of self harm.