Music from a Feminist Approach - Essay Example

Running head: ART OBJECT Music from a Feminist Approach I. FOCUS Art music is a form of narration or depiction from a specific point of view with its specific social concerns and interests. Generally speaking, we are at the age of Pop or Popular Culture. It is what we eat, drink, watch, smell, what we listen to and what we wear; it is what we do, think and feel. This is our life and is a responsibility inevitably presented to our world. The product of Pop Culture has a popular trait because it influences the lives of countless individuals, nations or a particular niche audience which consists of gays and lesbians, girlie and boy culture, expatriates and more. (New York: Entertainment Wire, 2001) II. PURPOSE I have chosen to present art music from a feminist approach, concentrating on how music is woven from the depths of a woman’s life experiences and how she campaigns for the parity and deliverance of women and all people in society. For centuries, music has been referred to as a male-oriented and male-subjugated art. Feminist music seeks to rectify the discrimination and partitions between our individual background, our collective characteristics as male or female, and our professional cultural uniqueness. III. THE WORK ITSELF AND HOW IT RELATES TO GENDER Although there is a vast number of musical genres wherein feministic views are abound - such as rock, jazz, and ballad among others – I have opted to analyze a rap/hip-hop song entitled “Ladies First” by a well-known artist, Queen Latifah. A certain website defines hip hop as “a cultural movement expressed through the traditional elements of deejaying, emceeing, various forms of dance (breaking, popping, locking) and writing. As a culture, hip hop represents other aspects of culture as well such as language, style of dress, politics, etc...” (Urbandictionary.com: Tafui, November 2003) Unfortunately, this description emphasizes more on the one-sided views of the male gender, leaving the opposite sex overlooked; and more often than not, are used as musical topics portrayed in a negative manner – objects of lust and exploitation. The music video “Ladies First” presents clips and images of women’s resistance towards the degrading and unjust images fashioned by men’s twisted beliefs. It exudes that women have the privilege to voice out their opinions, have the right to be heard, respected, and to be treated equally. It intends to obliterate the notion that the female gender is inferior and weak. And if by chance, should there be any objection of the intent from the differing faction, the struggle towards this common aspiration will never cease until the purpose is attained. Queen Latifah’s commendable performance and lyrics exemplifies the capabilities of a woman: A woman has her own distinctive potency and the will to overcome challenges presented to her; that she is a divine being gifted with the ability to carry a child in her womb and nurture it with the purest love; that she has the right to take part in societal and political activities; and she has the right to tell the world the prominence of a musically inclined woman in the form of rap. IV. ANTICIPATED IMPACT ON AN AUDIENCE Feminists may agree to some - if not all - of the points I have mentioned on the above. Anti-feminists would think otherwise. It is a given fact that when it comes to art appreciation and criticism, two people could look at one common thing and come up with two different analyses. There is no correct or incorrect, or acceptable or inacceptable answer in regard to this matter. But the bottom line of this issue is that there is nothing wrong to being daring to be different and standing up for what you believe can make a difference in society. However, we should also learn how to handle sensitive topics in an elevating and civilized manner. “Ladies First” Lyrics (by: Queen Latifah) [Queen Latifah] The ladies will kick it, the rhyme that is wicked Those that dont know how to be pros get evicted A woman can bear you, break you, take you Now its time to rhyme, can you relate to A sister dope enough to make you holler and scream [Monie Love] Ayo, let me take it from here, Queen... Excuse me but I think Im about do To get into precisely what I am about to do Im conversating to the folks that have no whatsoever clue So listen very carefully as I break it down for you Merrily merrily merrily merrily hyper happy overjoyed Pleased with all the beats and rhymes my sisters have employed Slick and smooth throwing down the sound totally a yes Let me state the position: Ladies first, yes? (Yes) (Yeah, theres going to be some changes in here) [Monie Love] Believe me when I say being a woman is great, you see I know all the fellas out there will agree with me Not for being one but for being with one Because when its time for loving its the woman that gets some Strong, stepping, strutting, moving on Rhyming, cutting, and not forgetting We are the ones that give birth To the new generation of prophets because its Ladies First [Queen Latifah] I break into a lyrical freestyle Grab the mic, look into the crowd and see smiles Cause they see a woman standing up on her own two Sloppy slouching is something I wont do Some think that we cant flow (cant flow) Stereotypes, they got to go (got to go) Im a mess around and flip the scene into reverse (With what?) With a little touch of "Ladies First" Who said the ladies couldnt make it, you must be blind If you dont believe, well here, listen to this rhyme Ladies first, theres no time to rehearse Im divine and my mind expands throughout the universe A female rapper with the message to send the Queen Latifah is a perfect specimen [Monie Love] My sister, can I get some? [Queen Latifah] Sure, Monie Love, grab the mic and get dumb [Monie Lovie] Yo, praise me not for simply being what I am Born in L-O-N-D-O-N and sound American You dig exactly where Im coming from You want righteous rhyming, Imma give you some To enable you to aid yourself and get paid And the material that has no meaning I wish to slay Pay me every bit of your attention Like mother, like daughter, I would also like to mention I wish for you to bring me to, bring me to the rhythm Of which is now systematically given Desperately stressing Im the daughter of a sister Whos the mother of a brother whos the brother of another Plus one more; all four Have a job to do, we doing it Respect due, to the mother whos the root of it And next up is me, the M-O-N-I-E L-O-V-E And Im first cause Im a L-A-D-I-E [Queen Latifah] Contact and in fact, the style, it gets harder Cooling on the scene with my European partner Laying down track after track, waiting for the climax When I get there, thats when I tax The next man, or the next woman It doesnt make a difference, keep the competition coming And Ill recite the chapter in verse The title of this recital is "Ladies First" (Lyricstime.com: Wb Music Corp., 2009) (Video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeMWCVjco78) . References: Roberts, Robin. ""Ladies first": Queen Latifahs Afrocentric feminist music video." African American Review 28. (1994): n. pag. Web. 2 Dec 2009. Latifah, Queen. "A.Lyrics.Web.Site." Lyrics.Time. 2009. Web. 3 Dec 2009. . Tafui, . "Hip-Hop." 06 November 2003. Online Posting to Hip-Hop http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hip-hop. Web. 3 Dec 2009. "Ladies First." Youtube. Web. 3 Dec 2009. . "Michael Holland Wins MP3.COM Award for Best Male Rock Artist; Singer/Songwriter Answers Question "Where is Gay Pop?"." New York (Entertainement Wire) 01 June 2001: n. pag. Web. 3 Dec 2009. . Read More