Critical Approaches to Gender and 21st Century Pop Music

Katy Perry tweeted that her favorite song of the moment is Major Lazer's "Bubble Butt," She may very well have a fascination with butts, like that one costume that she had when she commenting about having a butt like Nikki Minaj

Rihanna continues to update her Instagram with scandalous pictures of herself.

This is just brilliant, Miley Cyrus needs to take an African American studies class!!  The writer first conclusion is that Miley has a 'problematic view of what "black" is'. Well all her butt shaking, drug referencing and down right attitude seems to me like she obviously knows what shes doing. This article goes into depth via an interview with an African American Studies Professor and his opinion of Miley Cyrus and how her video 'We Can't Stop', appropriates black culture.

Britney Spears released the cover for her new album, "Britney Jean," on Friday. I found this article interesting because critics are saying that her album cover looks a lot like Miley Cyrus's "Bangerz."

HIP-HOP is primarily a celebration of black masculinity. Sure, there have long been significant black female and white male figures, but the majority of the conversation in hip-hop is and has always been about the actions, thoughts, feelings and ethos of black men. But this hegemony cannot last forever.

This essay explores the ways in which Lady Gaga exploits stereotypes about Muslims, and how coverage of Malala covers her as an exceptional case.

She has been taking the idea of living art to a whole new level by paying homage to various artists through her outfits as she promotes her new album ARTPOP.

"So are those oh-so supportive words she's been sweetly saying about Miley Cyrus not the truth? Selena Gomez has totes had her fellow teen queen's back as she raunches it up, but it sounds like she might not be Team Miley!" - Perez Hilton Just thought this was interesting given the link I shared last week regarding the Lorde/SelG. feud. Didn't Gomez herself state that gossiping and dissing other women is not feminism? Hmm.

This Ke$ha music video demonstrates Railton and Watson's point about white femininity as flexible and able to draw upon other cultures.

It's very interesting to see a music video that not only has a trans* love interest but it also shows how much he is okay with this.

Best Trailer Ever! This video is a parody of the Hunger Gamer and made it into the Hungry Games.  This video can relate to the black culture discussion in class. The video uses black stereotypes and takes the mick out of what is considered 'black culture', whether it's attitude, music, style etc. Although if say a white person did this wouldn't there be backlash, so how is it okay for african americans to satirize themselves but not others?

Here is something to consider, are artists today becoming products of cultural thievery? From Madonna to Lady Gaga their use of clothing such as scarfs covering their faces, essentially mimicking certain cultural religions. For instance Lady Gaga's recent fashion statement is reminiscent of the Burka which is religiously worn by Muslim and Islamic females. She even has a song called 'Burqa', whether this is offensive or artistic is yet to be determined. On the other hand younger generations like Miley Cyrus appropriates the black culture and Selena Gomez is inspired by the bindi wearing, arabian dress look. <br /> Are these artists using other cultures for attention and promoting their fame or is it just a gimmick?

Here's the video one of our group members was wondering about.

Did you ever hear a lyric and be like, "Wait, what did they just say?" Shockingly, only about half of these are from Nicki Minaj. This is a comical look at some lyrics in songs that the lyrics make no sense. I think there is something for almost everyone (genre) in this post

This is an interesting find, when you read the lyrics you realise how little sense they make. Perhaps this demonstrates how its not just music that is important for an artist to make it in the industry. Rihanna for example could sing anything and still make hits perhaps this is because or her risqué performances and outfit choices. It is interesting when you said have you ever listened and thought "wait what did they say" in all honestly I don't I just sing the song without questioning the lyrics, perhaps because the song is in the charts by a popular artist therefore it must be good!

1. So, Pitbull and Flo Rida made a song together. And a video. It's called "Can't Believe It." 3. But this...this is something else. 6. Or, because the "boots with the furrr" song wasn't enough, could it be that Flo Rida has made yet another song pandering to white college girls? It literally all about butts, the video is full of quite interesting imagery

This shows that even a place like TMZ is even going witht he trend of large asses.

One of the categories at this year's O Music Awards is "Too Much Ass For TV," which honors the backsides that infiltrated recent music videos from Robin Thicke, Frank Ocean, David Bowie, Sigur Ros and DIIV. Of course, the derrière has been the star of music videos for quite some time, dilating pupils since video killed the radio star.

This is a very sexist article on why its ok to stare at women, and their butts more specifically. I'm actually kind of disgusted at this.

See i had the complete opposite reaction, yes it is a sexist article, but it's the truth. In fact, i wasn't offended, i even laughed at some of the reason because it's true. Our butts are there, simply as, if guys stare, so what? Anyway i kind of liked the article because it made me laugh at the ridiculousness and sometimes accuracy of it.

Music video from the first openly gay country singer

Bajan pop star Rihanna has swapped hot pants for hijabs as her Diamonds World Tour takes her to Abu Dhabi - but she's still courting controversy BY Olivia Bergin | 21 October 2013 Pop superstar Rihanna will happily don a T-shirt and knee-high boots for a trip to the zoo, but as her world tour takes her to the more reserved countries in the Middle East, she's had to adapt her wardrobe accordingly.