Posts Tagged pop music

By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

You stan like a girl: The problematic feminization of the Beyhive

Today I came across a headline from The Root about a potential Jay-Z and Beyonce collaborative album. The headline was as follows: The Beyhive’s Hysteria Over News of a Possible Beyonce and Jay Z Album.

Thus far, I’ve kept pretty much quiet about my theory that the Beyhive has been unnecessarily feminized. It’s something I began to think seriously about after Drake dropped his infamous line: “Girls love Beyonce.” But this headline immediately struck me as further evidence that the Beyonce fan has become synonymous with woman. And that gendering has prompted sexist assumptions about the women who like Beyonce’s music (and rendered Beyonce fans of other genders invisible). 

Today I came across a headline from The Root about a potential Jay-Z and Beyonce collaborative album. The headline was as follows: The Beyhive’s Hysteria Over News of a ...
By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

Counterpoint: I don’t think Taylor Swift’s new video is racist

Last week, our very own Chloe Angyal took Taylor Swift to task over her new video, which features women of color twerking. She argues that these Black and brown twerkers are used as props in the video to highlight Taylor’s whiteness. She explains:

“There’s lots I could say about this video, but I want to compare two dance sequences, and focus on them, because I think they’re really telling. The first is the ballet sequence, with the dozen ballerinas, all of whom appear to be white, in Swan Lake style tutus and headdresses. The second is the hip hop and twerking sequence, with the half dozen Black and brown dancers in ...

Last week, our very own Chloe Angyal took Taylor Swift to task over her new video, which features women of color twerking. She argues that these Black and brown twerkers ...
By Chloe Angyal • 10 years ago

Feministing Jamz: Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”

If you spend most of your social media time on Twitter, your feed is probably mostly about what’s happening in Ferguson, MO, right now. If you spend most of your social media time on Facebook, however, it’s probably light on the racialized state violence and suppression of journalism, and heavy on the NEW TAYLOR SWIFT SINGLE (what’s up with that social media split? Buzzfeed explains).

That’s right, everyone’s favourite 25-year-old permateen has a new song out, and it’s poppy and upbeat and it’s all about not letting the haters get you down.

If you spend most of your social media time on Twitter, your feed is probably mostly about what’s happening in Ferguson, MO, right now. If you spend most of your social media time on ...