The essays in this section explore the phenomenon of the female performer in today’s music industry, from Lady Gaga to Taylor Swift to Missy Elliott; these fierce ladies of pop have become icons of the 21st Century. These essays deal with the various issues regarding the realities of being a female performer in 2013: the criticisms, gender inequalities and expectations that shape their identity and how we perceive and interact with them in today’s society.
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot: One Bad Bitch
In the essay ‘Missy “Misdemeanour” Elliott: One Bad Bitch’ Lutzum explores Missy Elliott’s role within the music industry and her importance as an influential figure with the rap genre. Lutzum discusses the various ways that Elliott tackles the stereotypes that seek to marginalise and restrict her as a result of her race and gender. The essay then explores the way that Missy Elliott subverts and rebels against these stereotypes, making Elliott a symbol of individuality and a role model for self-expression and authenticity.
Taylor Swift Grows with Genre Switch’
In the essay ‘Taylor Swift Grows with Genre Switch’ Mannsnv explores Taylor Swift’s progression from a teen country star to a global pop icon. The essay discusses Swift’s coming of age as she transitions from fresh-faced youth who dominated the country genre to the provocative young woman who is now dominating the pop music industry.
Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift: How We Can Never, Ever, Ever Stop Putting Them Together
This essay by Gina Hilton entitled Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift: How We Can Never, Ever, Ever Stop Putting Them Together compares the two female artists Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Gina describes how Cyrus and Swift are at either ends of the spectrum; Cyrus is the rebellious bad girl whereas Swift is the epitome of innocence. Gina looks at the transformation of Cyrus from a squeaky clean Disney star to her recent controversial new image; she argues that as Hannah Montana, Cyrus was once the appropriate role model that Taylor swift now encompasses.
Miley Cyrus: The rebirth. Is she a becoming a train wreck or is she in complete control?
In this essay Miley Cyrus: The rebirth. Is she a becoming a train wreck or is she in complete control? Hannah Penton describes the transformation of the artist Miley Cyrus, from her days of Hannah Montana, to her recent album “Bangerz” in which Hannah argues Cyrus is emulating Black culture. Her essay argues whether Miley Cyrus is on a downward spiral, or is this new image a carefully calculated publicity stunt created in order to shake of her good girl Disney image and achieve a more edgy adult image that Miley Cyrus herself has an input?
