I started this post a couple weeks, but because it requires more discussion and depth than my usual entries it is taking longer. Much, much longer because I have five four (be glad I removed the fifth one - be VERY glad) videos in this play list and each one demands it's own analysis, and frankly I lose interest in things that require me to think. And thinking is required for this one as I am discussing how the Western hyper-sexualization of pop stars has spread around the world.
Now, I won't bore you with the details of how this idea came to me, if only because I don't actually remember myself. All I know is that I've spent entirely too much time watching these videos last night. And tonight. And on other nights that were not last night, or tonight.
We'll put it down as "research", and move on.
Calling it the Western hyper-sexualization of pop stars might be giving the West, and the U.S. specifically, entirely too much credit here, but after repeated viewings of these videos I don't think I am off-base at all. All five videos have very strong Western influences and ideas in them ranging from dress, stylistic cues, use of english in lyrics, and even musical samples.
As I wish to go a little in depth about each video I am going to structure this YiEMB a bit differently, and embed each video separately, with a link to the full playlist posted at the end.
So, shall we? Yes, yes we shall.
The first video is Chadti Jawani (Young, Wild 'N' Sexy Mix) by Indian remix group Instant Karma. At least, that's who i think it is by; the song info at the start of the video is slightly different. Watching the video you may be struck like I was by several different things: 1) Yes, that is Rapper's Delight the girls are singing as the refrain. I think it was that hook that actually got me thinking about how heavily the West influences the pop culture of other countries. The second thing I noticed only drove the point home like a sledgehammer. 2) the angel motif with the use of white and fluffy wings. Hinduism has deva, which can be roughly translated as "angels", but it is more accurate to call them divine beings. However, devas are rarely, if ever, portrayed as being clothed in white with fluffy wings. That is a Western conceit. A way in which I think this video retains it roots in Indian culture is in point 3) The fine line between Overt Sexuality and Innocence the girls tread. Despite being dressed like extras at a Victoria's Secret fashion shoot, the three angels retain a sense of naive playfulness throughout the video, but never let themselves fall fully to temptation. This playfulness has a mischievous edge to it that is seem when they allow the thief to flirt with them, only to tie him up and leave him for the apartment owner to find.
Speaking of naive playfulness, we move onto South Korea and possibly the creepiest video. SNSD, or Girls' Generation, is a Korean manufactured nonet in the vein of the Spice Girls or N'Sync. However, unlike those groups, the girls of SNSD were put through two years of training by their label, SM Entertainment, before their debut. So why did I call this video borderline creepy? Because of the juxtaposition of scenes of the girls dressed in their hello-sailor/soldier outfits with ones of the girls being playful at a slumber party, that's why. While this song and Chadti Jawani both have that duality of Sex and Innocence to them, the angels played on having child-like innocence while the girls of SNSD are portrayed as still teens. A fine line, to be sure, but an important one as I think the subtext of the SNSD video is that men want their sex partners to have the maturity of grown women, but the bodies of sixteen year-olds.
Like I said, creeeeepy.
But I still want that song for my iPod. Creepy the video may be, but damn, is it a great pop song!
From India to South Korea, and now to Israel for Eti Castro. While looking for videos for this set I did find some Israeli pop singers who were more overtly sexy than Eti (Shiri Mimom for one), but I chose Eti's song because it seemed the most self-aware as the title of her song translates as "Star from/of Plastic". Everything about the video, the sets, costumes, costume changes, show that Eti is well aware of how her imaged is shaped to be that of a shiny, perfect objet du'desir, and how she allows this to happen, but on her terms.
This video may actually be a bit of a cop-out on my part as it could be argued that Israel is as westernized as any western european country, but I am including it because it acts as a nice juxtaposition for the next video.
Haifa Wehbe started as a model in Lebanon when she was quite young, and made her singing debut in 2002. Voted one of 2006's most Beautiful People in the World by People Magazine, Haifa Wehbe is no stranger to being ogled, which is good because voyeurism seems to be the point of her video. While I am certain the the curtain peepshow is prevalent in all cultures, the style of dress and form of dance are very much Western concepts. Specifically, the video has a sultry Moulin Rouge vibe to it that I personally find jarring when it is paired with the very Middle Eastern vocals and music. Speaking of the music, Haifa could be reciting names form the phone book for all that I know, but her sensuous vocals coupled with the swing and sway of the music lead me to believe it is a very sexy song. There's the rub, and here come some gross generalizations. The world Haifa hails from is not really known for it's progressive views on women, and tends to turn a dim eye towards women who celebrate their beauty. Especially if they appear to revel in their sexiness, which Haifa certainly seems to do here.
Here is where I am going to end this post as it has taken me so long to even get to this point. Were I to continue I would likely starting wondering about how this western trend of hyper-sexualizing pop stars would ultimately work against women in those countries where they are considered to be second-class citizens. While in the short term it can certainly be used to empower women to be more confident in their sexuality; in the long term I can see it leading to a further entrenchment of the women-as-chattel mentality.
But I don't have the patience to get into that.
