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This analysis delves into the construction of gender in music videos and its impact on identity and representation. It examines the concepts of essentialism and construction, the male gaze, objectification, and the role of queer identities in music videos. Through examples like Macklemore's "Same Love," Janelle Monáe's "PYNK," and Ruby Rose's "Break Free," we explore the potential for challenging or reinforcing societal norms.
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Identity Politics • Are categories important to identity like gender, sexuality, race, culture, ethnicity, etc. the product of nature or are they learned/performed? • Identity exists naturally, is fixed, and biologically determined (essentialism) • Or, identity is made, unmade, remade in a constant evolution (construction) • Attempt to empower those who are oppressed by hegemonic culture and lead to political and social change
Construction (identity comes through experience) Blank slate Meaning/identity is given through society Identity based on relation to subjects/objects Nature vs. Nurture • Nativism (born with qualities) • Pre-programmed to behave a way • Meaning/identity given by nature/birth • Identity is not a choice • Scientific cause (gene) for identity
Performativity • Judith Butler, 1990 • Identity is fluid and no “essence” • Gender is an act, a performance or impersonation • This “act” has been practiced through history • Gender is something you do and not what you are • Drag as challenge to gender identity
Male Gaze • Laura Mulvey, 1975 • Gender is defined by power relations constructed for the pleasure of male viewers • 3 perspectives: Camera, Characters, Audience • Women are presented as passive, erotic objects while male is dominant power in this fantasy • Relate to social power structures in “real” world, and help to naturalize patriarchy. Women look at other women with this gaze, too
???s • How does media impact gender identity? • Does music video impact gender identity? • Can music video challenge the male gaze or just reinforce it? • Alternative gazes?
Dreamworlds 3 • What does MV tell us about “norms” in gender, race, and sexuality? How do we live or reject these norms? • What are some of the “stories” these videos tell us about identity? What are techniques used to tell these stories? • How does MV construct femininity? Masculinity? Who is constructing/making $$ off these images? • Is objectification a natural part of human sexuality? • How is such a limited range of images harmful? To whom?
Dreamworlds 3 Cont'd • How can feminine sexual subjectivity undermine and reinforce the male gaze? • How is the masculine role in MV constructed as one of power and control? • Is there a woman/feminine dreamworld? What does/would it look like? • What do you think about this film? Is Jhally just mansplaining???
Fitts “Drop It Like It's Hot” • Looks at the creative labor politics of the “booty video” genre (replicated in rap, rock, country, and pop) • “Video girls,” directors, casting directors, crew • On set hierarchy of video girls: love interest to “extras” • How femininity represented in MV shapes masculine identities (producers/consumers) • “Booty video” creates hostile working conditions for the women (on camera and off) • Men (of all races) create and profit from these images and the context of their production
Can queer idenities be exploited as a commodity? Specifically by queer-friendly pop artists in “equality anthems.” How is authenticity achieved in queer-themed videos? How can +/- stereotypes be perpetuated in these types of videos? Undermined? How can these videos challenge heteronormativity? How can they reinforce homonormativity?
“We Exist” • 2014, Arcade Fire • Dir. David Wilson • Song about a gay boy coming out to his dad and marriage equality • Video about gender fluidity, queerness, and equality feat. Andrew Garfield • Stereotyping? Use of a cis male to portray trans woman...how can this be problematic or empowering?
“Same Love” • 2012, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis • Dir. Ryan Lewis and Jon Jon Augustavo • Released during campaign for Washington Referendum 74 • Song also a response to misogyny and homophobia in hip hop • 2013 MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Message • Cover version by queer rapper Angel Haze • Does this promote and perpetuate homonormativity?
“News just in: Gay people don’t care about your video about gay people.” Le1f
“PYNK” • 2018, Janelle Monáe • Dir. Emma Westenberg • Monáe as self-identifying pansexual • Video celebrates vaginas and queerness and female pleasure… “pussy power” • Part of the “emotion picture” Dirty Computer • “Make Me Feel”
“Heaven” • 2017, Troye Sivan ft. Betty Who • Dir. Luke Gilford • Song details his sexuality and religious beliefs (Judaism) that view his sexuality as sinful • MV juxtaposes images of him embracing a man in the rain w/ historical footage of Aids marches, Pride rallies, and LGBTQ pioneer, Harvey Milk
“Break Free” • 2014, Ruby Rose • Dir. Phillip Lopez
“Salt” • 2014, Bad Sun • Dir. Daniel Cloud Campos • Song is about a friend's story of being a transgender and her struggle of becoming who she really is, clearly reflected in video
“Brave Man” • 2015, Will Young • Dir. ?
“Rainbow” • 2019, Kacey Musgraves • Dir. Hannah Lux Davis • Video a tribute to her LGBTQIA+ fans and song's themes of self-acceptance despite feeling outcasted
“Girl in a Country Song” • 2014, Maddie & Tae • Dir. TK McKamy • Song and video critique the representation of women in male “bro-country” music video • Feature role reversals as critique of such representations in country • 2015 CMA Video of the Year • Is this problematic, though?
