Writingbolt's Creation

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To be talented or to be scandalous?  That is the question.  Reframe the question.  What does it take to earn award-worthy status and fame?  And, is that golden record worth a loss of respect as an artist?

Have you ever noticed a stark contrast in female vocalists?  I’m talking about (young) women like Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Megan “Thee Stallion” and Alicia Keys.  [Wait.  Don’t jump to conclusions.  I’m not lumping those women together into one category.]  I’d throw in Katy Perry, but, the more I think about it, I feel Katy walks the line or bounces from one side to the other, as does Lady Gaga, and the latter sure has gone through a progressive evolution in recent years.

Maybe it’s just me and my unique perceptions.  And, maybe, what I have to say will just make some readers bristle or respond angrily.  So be it.  If I get any “flack,” I’m used to it.  Shame on me for speaking my mind.

But…

Have you ever noticed how some women are VERY talented–or, at least, creative–and yet give stage performances in which they look…slutty?  While, others, who have the same right and chances to awards of all kinds, dress with far greater class but lack the…well…vocal talent to produce a full album of music I’d call favorable listening material?

Now, this is a bit of a stretch for me.  I don’t even know Megan “Thee Stallion” that well, haven’t heard more than one or two of her songs and seen as many stage performances.  But…there is something about the full-figured woman that suggests both creative potential and stellar activism.  YET, when I see her perform, there is an overwhelming urge to turn on a red light and bring up stripper poles.  And, it irks me.  I hate to see people with great talent/potential flaunting themselves as if they…well…had nothing else to offer.

Do you need to flaunt yourself to get credit or notice of your messages?  And, will people actually hear what you have to sing if you “flash your goods?”  At a time–though it has been going on for a LONG time–when women are striving for respect and equal rights (again), why do you want to wash out great potential and talent with strip shows?

I grasping for comparisons but drawing blank from the internal distress this topic causes me.

Mention the name Tina Turner, and you’re sure to get as many people doing an impersonation of her typical hasty dancing as you would reference to any of her better songs.  The same might be said for Mick Jagger and his “rooster strut;” thankfully, he never struts around in his underwear.

Again, I hope I do not offend or cause too much upheaval with my opinions, but…

Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys are BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS (young) women.  The former, in my opinion, has greater musical/creative talent and potential.  Both, often enough, dress with class and carry themselves like “ladies.”  [Not all of the time; I’ll admit that.  There have been some atrocious “red carpet” outfits.  Blame designers seeking fame and hasty scheduling.]  However, can I name an album by either artist which I’d listen to regularly?  Nope.  I can name a few songs by Tay I enjoy.  And, she is VERY clever and creative in packaging her work.  [Sorry, Alicia.]

Dua Lipa and Megan “Thee Stallion,” coincidentally born the same year and relatively new “flashes in the pan,” both present potent music just showing its worth but take fashion-model risks with their stage attire (and…ugh…background dancers).  Part of my primary reasoning for writing this is from a recent performance I watched in which masked background dancers looked like slutty nurses at some strip club, making a scene to promote vaccines.  [No, that’s not why they were…performing.]  It made me think of all the horror movies that involve homicidal nurses and other doctor-like people.  No thank you.  And, what a shame.  Because, I can see the potential, the talent and powerful voices.  [But, then again, Lady Gaga started out wearing everything under the sun, including a dress made of raw meat.  And, look at her now; she’s practically…lady-like, getting her share of classy duets with the like of Tony Bennett.  So…maybe…just give these newcomers time to mature?]

Rihanna is a gorgeous face and still-budding talent I’m struggling to place among this lot.  She has had a few catchy songs and a mix of outfits, some better than others.  I cannot categorize her output, in part, because I haven’t seen/listened to enough of it; I haven’t heard anything, yet, that deeply offends or bothers me.  But, I remain a minor fan.  [I get the feeling she will take up some cause other than music and be more powerful with it.]

Beyoncé has somehow been given “queen” status, yet I see no reason for it.  I’m sure it’s a term thrown around in the secret-society-business she inhabits.  But, it makes no sense to me.  [Don’t get me started on who is the most beautiful member of the former Destiny’s Child.  Okay.  I favor Kelly.  All right?]  I suppose she has walked the fine line between flaunting and female empowerment.  How do I classify her?  I am not sure.  She’s had good songs (with Destiny’s Child) and some I could do without or don’t fully understand.

Katy Perry (Hudson) stands out as an exception to whatever I am trying to convey here.  While, yes, she has had some wild, scandalous looks and visuals, I can listen to just about any song from her One of the Boys album and find reason to enjoy it.   I can feel myself carried away to a whimsical place where crazy things can happen; and it’s okay.  I don’t have to dwell on the sexual/innuendo aspects of it.  I am not complaining about drug references, nor wealth or mistreatment of women.  She is a perpetual fountain of creativity with no limits of range or genre.  But, even she pushes buttons, now and then (mostly in her videos).  [I cannot be sure if she is a positive force for female rights and empowerment without chaos.]  I am not a 100% fan.  [Maybe 95%.]

I’m not even sure how any or all of this affects receiving (not earning, because earning isn’t honestly a factor) awards.  And, this has been going on since the first trophies were handed out on stage.  What other than some secretive arrangement off-stage results in receiving an award?  Audience attendance?  CDs sold?…or, should I include CDs handed out at some public function, some write-offs?  I highly question the quality and/or judgement of the product that produces these awards.  And, just think of all that goes into those award shows…the dresses/suits, the setting, the interviews, the following-day gossip and tabloids…and all for what?!  WHAT IS THE POINT?!  WHERE IS THE RESPECT FOR ACTUAL TALENT AND CREATIVITY?!

I consider myself an artist.  But, I will not reduce myself or resort to “appealing to the masses” to acquire fame.  My talents speak for themselves.  Either you like my work or you do not and move along.  I may work on commission, but I won’t create something that goes against my morals and/or personal limits.  I am not here to amuse you, but I enjoy amusing, when I can.

I speak purely out of concern and dismay.  I hate to see talent and potential wasted in a way that only compounds the problems we continue to face.  Women want respect for their talents and abilities?  They won’t get it by flaunting their “goods.”  That may sound like the words of an “old man” or a “prude.”  But, it’s the truth.  Men (and anyone attracted to such appearances) will only give the lowest of responses to such displays.

You will not steel yourself against the slime and scum of this world in your underwear, even if you have amazingly toned buns of steel.  You may parade your womanhood and shout, “Girl Power!”  But, you’ll get only a fraction of the respect you’d likely receive with all of your clothes (on).  It’s not a job interview, but, maybe, think of it like one.  Are you applying to be a stripper?  Do you want more for yourself than the life of the runway model who gets tossed aside if she shows an ounce of cellulite or steps one inch off her mark?  You can do better than ending up on some celebrity reality-TV show about people watching TV or a short-lived talk show added to the pile of failures.

Rise up.  Perk up.  Be respectful to yourselves and others and continue to blaze on with the talents you possess.  Do NOT contribute to the mass output of those who submit to the lesser trends of our world.  We don’t need more talk of riches, drug use and mistreatment.  There are plenty of songs about relationships gone wrong.  You can do better.  You all can.  Let’s transform the face of music, make it something we can enjoy without cultivating unpleasant and endangering thoughts.  And, if the “business” is keeping you down or steering you a bad way, change it…or walk away from it.  Find a path of light that best presents your talents, whatever they may be.  [Not everyone is cut out for the music industry.  But, you can still be passionate about singing/making music.]

I speak out as a heterosexual man and lover of women who is long past tired of the on-going conflicts they face.  I am tired of hearing about mistreatment and marches with fuzzy pink hats.  I don’t think the marches and protests are doing anything for the cause.  I think it comes down to what those involved put out and how they represent themselves.  And, any contribution to the salivation of lesser men is only compounding the risks women continue to face, causing increasing numbers of women to mentally fracture.  I am not a conventional feminist but am beyond tired of the submission/domination norm that persists.  I’ll break the glass ceiling if you stand with me.

[And, if you think I am nuts or some sort of opinionated jerk, move along.  ‘Nothing to see here.  It doesn’t affect you.]