LGBTQIA Representation Among Female Pop Stars
This lengthy analysis from Buzzfeed discussed about how pop artists Janelle Monae, Hayley Kiyoko, and many more in the LGBTQIA community are using their music to expand cultural norms of gender and sexual expression. First, the article delves into the persona of Janelle Monae whose identity as an androgynous android continues to be coded and directed to a non-male gaze.
I think this article gives all the reasons why pop music matters and why it's even more important to make pop music that especially hits home for audiences. While navigating the male-centric music industry has always been a challenge, I feel way more hopeful with artists like Janelle Monae and Hayley Kiyoko that we can skip the male gaze altogether and instead reflect strong aesthetics and songwriting.
The think piece also discusses the rise of "Lesbian Jesus" Hayley Kiyoko, whose widely-resonated songwriting demonstrates her lived experiences with women. I also noticed the article subverts biphobic notions when talking about Halsey. Instead of annihilating Halsey's identity because she's currently dating a man, it instead highlights her advocacy and bisexuality.janelle monae absolutely has sex appeal. you likely don’t think so cause her image has never been catered to the male gaze so it’s hard to view her for your consumption https://t.co/DgNJjogYrV— pb (@paigebrittany) September 16, 2018
I think this article gives all the reasons why pop music matters and why it's even more important to make pop music that especially hits home for audiences. While navigating the male-centric music industry has always been a challenge, I feel way more hopeful with artists like Janelle Monae and Hayley Kiyoko that we can skip the male gaze altogether and instead reflect strong aesthetics and songwriting.
I enjoy your analysis of this Buzzfeed article. It is interesting the article is titled "2018 is the year of the queer woman pop star." Buzzfeed is a mainstream media site, so of course they think 2018 is the year of the queer woman pop star, when in reality queer women have existed in pop since pop began, they just don't get recognition. And non-gender conforming women who challenge or queer female gender expression have also always existed in Pop's history- for example Missy Elliot. I also found interesting this idea of "fauxmosexuality" that the article says is "mostly gone." I would disagree, as you point out, the music industry is straight male centered, and just because more mainstream female pop stars are coming out as bi,pan, and queer, doesn't mean queer female pop stars are being represented in an accurate way or that straight pop stars appropriating queer culture is no longer a problem.
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