Critical Approaches to Gender and 21st Century Pop Music

Madonna's recent essay in Harper magazine about her experiences as an aspiring artist in New York City, in particular how she was raped at knife point

Folk singer Raina Rose writes an open letter to Miley Cyrus, Sinead O'Connor, and Amanda Palmer, showing appreciation for the dialogue they're having (in words and visually) and admiring them as "outspoken, powerful, talented" women.

The video for 'Can't Hold Us' features a message of freedom, individuality and authenticity. In the closing sequence it features Mackmore atop the Seattle Space needle and mounting a 'The Heist' flag for their album. This links to the Nirvana grunge rock scene that came to represent artist integrity, authenticity and anti-establishment ideals.

Hey guys! So I'm watching SNL and it turns out Miley Cyrus is hosting & performing tonight. Here's a link with the promo! Update: She just did a parody of "We Can't Stop." It's about the government shutting down. Really funny! Katy Perry will be hosting within the next few weeks as well.

"LOOK BOOBS! And even more tantalizing: LOOK HANNAH MONTANA BOOBS!" Amanda Palmer decides to write a open letter to Sinead after Sinead writes one to Miley. In it Palmer praises women to try as many fashion decisions as they would like because it is their choice. 

This is my favorite band right now. Their music video is pretty interesting. I would recommend watching it a few times and if you have spare time look up the video in reverse. (The video is backwards) It doesn't really have a lot of what we are talking about, but it is just very interesting to watch! And i would love to debate about it!! 

I thought this was an interesting article in relation to pop culture and how authentic things have become, especially with the introduction of new technologies such as auto-tune and music sampling and editing. The article goes deeper into these. Thus those who want to make a imprint on the industry as the article states is going to be increasingly difficult because ''even the most sincere expressions of self will have to be multiple and complicated''.

One look at the chosen paths of young artists, and why we shouldn't harp on them.

Apple recently released a radio program similar to that of Pandora, another online radio service. While Pandora uses mathematical algorithms to choose music for the listener, iTunes Radio will use humans/Apple geniuses to choose music similar to tracks the listener likes. Katy Perry is featured as the guest DJ currently, where she shares an insight to her musical taste and artists that inspire her. She inserts her commentary and shares an anecdote occasionally. I found this interesting because a good portion of the music she chooses to play are rap songs or songs with a darker undertone, not what most people would expect perhaps?

Ke$ha just recently posted some photos on instagram of her booty but I found it interesting she isn't really scrutinized like some of the other performers we've talked about in class. Does anyone think that she isn't scrutinized due to the fact that she's been a party girl since day one?

I found this video hilarious due to the fact that Hulk Hogan is making fun of Miley Cyrus and her new video Wrecking Ball.

I did see someone had already posted some of these photos but here are a few more from the same photo shoot. Once again Cyrus is using the same shock tactics that appeared in her wrecking ball video and VMA performance.

Cady Groves is talking about what she would do if a guy hurt her

Carson Daily and Perez Hilton have a heated discussion about Miley and her future career

Katy Perry says she wants to hang up her sexy and revealing costumes so the audience will be focused on her music

Indy Pop musician Amanda Palmer responds to Sinead O'Connor's open letter to Miley Cyrus, arguing that we have to build a world where women can make their own decisions.

Miley Cyrus's new video for "23"

But... but I already posted this... :(

You did! And your post was much better than mine!

Cyrus responded to O'Connor's open letter (see my last post), and the've escalated into an internet fight.

Things are getting a bit ugly between O'Connor and Cyrus in the response to Miley's twitter reaction to O'Connor's letter.

Miley Cyrus' new photo shoot with Terry Richardson that shows Cyrus pushing the boundaries yet again.