Music Note #11: Beyonce and Rihanna: Feminism is Complicated

In the past two week, pop divas, Beyonce and Rihanna have released songs that have stirred controversy and further opened up the discussion about feminism and women's rights. Beyonce's anthem "Run the World" and Rihanna's "Man Down" coincidently came out around the same time, however the latter surprisingly for me turned out to be more meaningful and empowering than the former. I remember listening to both to Destiny's Child's "Independent Women" anthem in 2000 and loving that song, but when I hear "Run the World," I do not feel as strong of a reaction.

 First off, that song, which was written by Beyonce, even though it is not really progressive because it is equating full independence with being able to buy things (materialism), at least called us "women," not "girls." Also, the entire song could be used as an anthem, not just one line, which brings me to "Run The World." Yes, it also focuses on "getting that check," but Beyonce's song have never been the most progressive things in the world. However, besides a lackluster beat, which she used from Major Lazer's "Pon De Floor", a song that has a questionable video, and that The Dream actually wrote this song, not Beyonce herself, the song is not empowering to me.

The only part of the song that is worth it is "Who run the world? Girls!" and toasting to the college grads. What does the line "Make your check, come at they neck" mean and what does "Boy this beat is crazy/This is how they made me/Houston Texas Baby" have to do with anything? I also do not see how "I think I need a barber/None of these n****s can fade me/I'm so good with this/I remind you I'm so hood with this" or saying "f*** you, pay me" is empowering. She sounds like she is trying to do a role reversal with herself and her man, which I do not think is the point of feminism.

The video is not convince me to like the song better either. No, I do not care that the girls are in revealing outfits, even though I think that today the focus on many female pop stars is to come off as sexual and seductive, which can lead to objectification of women. Yes, the dancing is amazing, but the video just looks Mad Max-ish and the "girls" in the video do not look like they are running the world, but playing the seductresses in order to rule the world. Watch the "Evil Demon Seductress" video at Sociological Images to know what I am talking about. The guys in the video do not even look phased by them as the "girls" seductively dance their way to winning the world. Nothing about this song feels personal....


On the other hand, Rihanna's "Man Down" moved me. Generally, I do not like Rihanna's music all that much. There are a few songs that I do like, but her voice in general irritates me to much to care (it works better when she sings in reggae or in a slower style). However, I do not like the criticism that has come down on her because of the song and video. This is a a heartfelt song about a woman feeling grief and guilt over killing a man and the video portrays a woman who is sexually assaulted and kills her attacker. After Rihanna released the video, she received criticism for the violence against the man in this video, but what about the violence against the woman who he violated.

Yes, murder is wrong, but so is rape or any other kind of sexual assault, and Rihanna shows that in this video. This man took something from her and she ended up taking his life; it is a consequence  to his actions. Moreover, it is not as if Rihanna is showing a woman who is glorifying herself murdering someone; she is stricken with grief in the song ("I didn't mean to end his life/I know it wasn't right") and video. If you want that, go listen to the Dixie Chick's "Goodbye Earl." Revenge killing in music is nothing new, so stop unfairly judging Rihanna. Instead try to stop what causes people to do those killings in the first place. Even Rihanna brings up the idea of "blaming the victim" when she sings about now being a criminal for killing the man who assaulted her. This video is more personal to me because it shows how complicated life is and we often do things we regret even thought it was a reaction to someone else's actions.

"Brand New Flava In Your Ear" (Update)

Time again for some new music, and with a few returnees! Woohoo!

Fefe Dobson - I Want You/Watch Me Move

Fefe's Back! I love these songs and I can't stop listening to them! "I Want You" is reminiscent of The Ramones, simple but rocking! "Watch Me Move" is simply hot and she looks like Mick Jagger while dancing!

Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna - Run This Town

To put it simply, I am glad Kanye is rapping again, Rihanna's nasally voice fits the dark vibe of the video and song, but Jay-Z does not really fit in with the song. Also, the video makes me think of a cult version of "California Love" with Tupac and Dr. Dre. However, the song is not as epic as they might have wanted it to be. The song is good, not great, but good.

click here

Mary J Blige - I Can Do Bad All By Myself

Tyler Perry and Mary J. Blige together are legendary! Powerhouse performances in both hise movies and her songs. Enough said!

Dwele - Travelin' Girl

Underground R&B and Soul is so much better than mainstream R&B and this guy is one reason why. Ever since I heard "I'm Cheating," I have loved his voice, sound and lyrics. This song has a strong horn section and Dwele's smooth voice fits it perfectly.



Creed - My Own Prison

Another artist that has returned! Creed proves that you can be a Christian artist, and still be just as good as any rock band out there and be real! Being a Christian is not always happy times, but at the same you have hope in the cross and this song puts that on my heart.



Adam Sandler - Real Love

After seeing "Funny People" and hearing this song, I want Adam to release a full Adam. The only time I have heard him sing was when he was doing SNL skits or a comedy album, but he needs to do a serious album because he has a sweet voice and he would make John Lennon proud if he heard this cover!



Pink - Funhouse

Pink can always take a song with a sad undertone and make it fun to listen to. She is as explosive as her video!



Miley Cyrus - Party In the USA

My problem with this song is that Miley is not right for it. It has the potential to be a good song and the melody is good, but when she opens her mouth, it sounds awkward and I do not like it as much.



Honor Society - Where Are You Now

Hearing this song makes me want to go see Bandslam. At first, I did not want to like this group because I thought they would sound like the Jonas Brothers and I do not like copycats, but they are actually good. Good choice, Jonas Brothers!



Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill/I Look to You

Our last returnee, Whitney! Once I got past the weird note at the beginning, I realized that the song has a nice old school "feel good" vibe to it and even though her voice does not sound as good as it did before, Whitney can still out-sing a lot of other singers out there now.



Not one of her powerhouse performances, but it is still a good song for her return and I am feeling it!



Now for my Huh? moment of today...

Jason Mraz ft Lil Wayne and Jah Cure - I'm Yours Remix

"I'm Yours" is one of my favorite songs and Jason Mraz and Jah Cure are two of my favorite artists, but why is Lil Wayne on here? But I will have to admit that he does sound better on here and his lyrics are good for a chance; why can't Lil Wayne sound like this more often? Still he does not fit with this song!

Here are three others I forgot to mention...

Smokey Robinson - Don't Know Why

Smokey and a Norah Jones cover equals magic! Like someone said he has the voice of an angel!



Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll

I kept forgetting to put this song on here, so here it is! I love the dance party and horror movie mix to this song! Creepy yet entertaining! The plus is an MJ werewolf and blood that looks like confetti (but then it would probably be too fun to kill people in real life)!



Official Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK4SUof_yv8

Pleasure P - Under

Okay, I only put this video here because Tia Mowry is in it, other than that it is your typical R&B pop song with autotune in it and not really memorable (and I know he can do better than that!). But at least Pleasure P is on his own because he was the best thing about Pretty Ricky (who were the other guys again?). What I do not get is the extra girl in the video and the corny bed/water scene; are those really necessary?

Special News: Rihanna and Chris Brown Drama Still Escalating!!!

Please Rihanna, don't be another typical domestic abuse victim, who crawls back to the abuser!!!!

Just two weeks after Chris Brown almost killed his girlfriend, Rihanna, she decided to get back with him. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention, he seemed so happy and carefree on a jet ski while staying with her at Diddy's house! Is his long-term memory that bad that he cannot remember what he did only a few weeks before. 

Finally, after all of this, Chris Brown has been charged with two felony accounts of assault and criminal threats. Rihanna's parents have begged her to testify, but supposedly she is "wavering." She said she wants to testify, but wants to give Chris a second chance. What is even worse is the 19-year old Chris was seen partying in a club the night he was arraigned on the charges. This is the type of guy she wants to give a second chance! He does not even seem remorseful! I hope she wakes up and tells him it's over!

Read the LAPD affadavit that describes what Chris did to Rihanna (click on post title). It is really horrible! Basically, people are labeling his assault as "psychotic," and I agree completely. Moreover, the picture that was released of Rihanna does not compare to another picture that the detectives have that was taken right after the attack. They say it is way more gruesome and if it is released, Brown's career will be even more worse off than it is now. I think their needs to be an intervention  for Rihanna to get away from Chris and for her to see that it is not safe for her to stay with him! For Chris, he needs a whole lot more than help right now!

News: Photo of Rihanna Released

Someone close to the situation leaked (the person is in trouble now because it was a private investigation) a photo to TMZ of a horribly injured Rihanna. It definitely is not pretty. After seeing this photo I was even more angry at Chris. Hearing about it is one thing, but actually seeing it. Rihanna does not even look like herself. The bruises on her forehead, the swollen lips an nose, the scratches on her face and the black eye makes it so hard to look at. No matter what she did to him before the assault, he should have never did went to that extreme. He really does need help (and I heard he is facing 10 years in prison) because I can not see how you can do that to a person, especially someone you claim you love. The apology that he gave last week will not be enough now to cover his tracks.

This was Brown's statement earlier:

“Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God’s help, to emerging a better person. Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong. While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writing under my name are frauds.”

Very generic for such a crime!

Special News: Rihanna and Chris Brown Drama Escalates!!

Now that it has basically been confirmed that Rihanna was the victim of Chris Brown's physical assault. I could not believe Chris could do something like that, but I am hearing now that the "good boy" image that Brown had is not the complete truth. Several people who know Chris personally says that he has a "dark side" and violent nature. It looks like it is true considering the injuries Rihanna has. A busted lip, a bloody nose, bite marks on her arms and contusions on her face! DAMN!!!! He was basically trying to kill her! Rihanna is now cooperating with the police after that traumatizing event (she was screaming at the hospital, which she was taken into on a gurney, and did not want anyone to touch her) and sadly, has canceled her upcoming birthday party and shows in Malaysia. Chris deserves whatever he gets now! Radio stations having been pulling his songs and Wrigley's Doublemint gum having been pulling his ads, too. I am even contemplating not listening to his song anymore or at least for a long while (until he gets some help for his anger problems!). On the other hand, I am supporting Rihanna all the way; I hope she leaves the jackass and I hope she gets better soon!

Update:

Later yesterday, I heard that Chris was choking Rihanna until she went unconscious and by the time she woke up, he was gone! Also, all of this could have started over another woman...and guess who it could have been...Paris Hilton! Supposedly, she sent him a flirty text message and this fight erupted. What kind of man is he! All his secrets are coming to light and I'm not liking at all what I'm hearing! I hope he can defend himself well because all of this is making Chris look worse and worse by the day!