CRITICAL INVESTIGATION - Second Draft w/ quotes + bibliography

- CRITICAL INVESTIGATION

“Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.”

How do the representations of black music celebrities like Beyoncé and Jay Z impact upon audiences?

The representations of black music celebrities have changed drastically over the years. As since the rise in popularity for black music celebrities since the 80’s there has been a huge positive as well as negative impact on audiences. Black music in the 21^st century is mostly listened to by teenagers and young adult. The representations of black music celebrities can be seen as a negative influence on audiences as most content in hip-hop and RnB music videos focus on money, drugs, sex and bitches therefore causing individuals to behave inappropriately from a young age; “It is not the youth's fault, it is the content that the music contains.”[1] However, the representations of black music celebrities are not always seen to have a negative impact upon audiences. Beyoncé is commonly known as an inspiration and role model to women all around the world; “I’m always thinking about women, and what we need to hear. It’s difficult being a woman.”[2]

There are many ways in which black music celebrities are represented one of these is through the indication of common stereotypes through the celebrity’s music lyrics and videos. Audiences are highly affected by these stereotypes and youths and teenagers – particularly from a low-income area – begin to look up to and depend of RnB, rap and hip-hop music. “The teenagers who look up to rap and hip-hop artists are likely to do what they do. This includes their actions, ideas, the way they live, dress and act towards others.”[3] Therefore younger audiences are impacted negatively by the way by the way black music celebrities are being represented as they are likely to follow the stereotypes they view through media. The common stereotypes for black music celebrities relate to Alvarado’s theory that those with a back background are dangerous, humorous, exotic or pitied. Although the stereotypes of black music celebrities are negative, it is these topics that impact on audiences to listen to more of the music; “Thanks to the gangsta bad niggzas motif, hip-hop has emerged as the top choice among teen music consumers.”[4] Therefore resulting in teenagers following these traits and wanting to be more like those they see on in the music videos such as ‘2 chainz’.

Furthermore, the comparison between modern day music and old music illustrates the changes of how black music celebrities have been represented over time and the change in how audiences have been impacted. As hip-hop and RnB music was first being introduced into the music industry in the 80’s it was the black music celebrities that had to adjust their ways in order to fit in with the white music celebrities therefore relating to Franz Fanon’s theory of the ‘white mask’. For example, in 1986, Run DMC turned an old Aerosmith tune into a 80's Hip Hop classic. Their collaboration with Aerosmith on the song ‘Walk this Way’ was a smash hit. However, in modern day hip-hop and rap there is more of a diverse music industry therefore artists do not have to change in order to fit in. “Instead of songs promoting general love and kindness we get songs that promote sex and endorphins as the only things that make us love. “[5] This shows their empowerment, therefore impacting the audience to listen to modern music more as they wish to become powered within themselves. As modern hip hop and rap focuses mainly on the black music celebrity they are seen to be more in power and control therefore causing young audiences to want to listen to their music more and look up to the individual; not knowing about the editors, producers, directors etc that are involved in the ‘empowerment’ of the black music celebrity “It teaches us that the most important thing in the world is to never admit you were wrong. Chris Brown won a Grammy Award after showing people that he hits women without an apology”[6].

The way in which the representations of black music celebrities has changed over time would cause moral panic as the use of drugs, sex, violence and degrading of women would bring concern to the society about the upbringing of their children and the kind of music they may listen to. Moreover, these representations also cause moral panic as the use of violence, sex and drugs in black music have previously been blamed for the 2011 riots. “I blame the pernicious culture of hatred around rap music, which glorifies violence and loathing of authority (especially the police but including parents), exalts trashy materialism and raves about drugs.”[7] This once again gives black music celebrities a bad representation as it portrays them as being an nuisance to society as well as a bad influence on the youth. Therefore, illustrating that majority of the representation on black music celebrity’s impacts audience’s in a negative way as it influences their actions for the worst thus causing moral panics in society.

Majority of black music videos as well as lyrics are censored such as ASAP Rocky’s song ‘Fucking problem’[8] as the black rapper’s in the song refer to women as ‘bad bitches’ and ‘fucking problems’ Therefore censoring is done in order to ensure that the younger audiences are not having to listen to swearing and ill-mannered language. Also, the cencored music videos allow audieces and critics to talk about the music artist and their music therefore bringing them into the limelight: “videos can increase artists’ salience and profit potential by bringing them to or keeping them in the public’s attention.”[9] However, social networking sites as well as Youtube are a large concern when it comes to the representations of black music celebrities as it allows audiences to watch and listen to the non-censored music therefore representing black male music celebrities as sexist as well as promoting drugs, sex and violence “In the music video by YG ft. Tyga & Nipsey Hustle, “Bitches Aint Shit,” is a perfect example showing the misogynistic point of view that is represented throughout the Hip Hop culture.”[10] Furthermore, the lack of censorship and protection over violence, sex, misogynistic views and drugs could relate with the cultivation theory. This is because the more audiences watch and listen to the negative language and inappropriate actions on television or through the internet the more likely they are to act in a similar way. For example, after viewing ASAP Rocky’s video to ‘Fucking Problem’ girls may believe that it is acceptable to be called a ‘bitch’ and boys are likely to walk around treating girls with a lack of respect.

Through the up rise of hip hop and RnB it is mainly black male music celebrities that would be portrayed as violent, sexist and dominant with in the music industry. The violent and dominating content is reflective in the actions of young children who listen to hip hop music: “Male participants who were exposed to hip-hop music videos of highly sexual content expressed greater objectification of women.”[11] This therefore relates to Bandura’s experiment of the bobo doll as it proves the more children are exposed to these attitudes and believes the more likely they are to act upon them and copy them. However, modern black music celebrities have proved this stereotype wrong. For example, Beyoncé’s surprise albums release on iTunes and made “600,000 album downloads in three days”[12]. Beyoncé is seen as superior and a role model for her audiences as she encourages women to be heard and in many ways gives her audiences confidence to speak out. This is shown through her song ‘Who run the world (girls)’ as the lyrics ‘Who run the world? Girls, girls’[13] therefore showing that women are able to stand for themselves and do not have to hide behind men in the world. Furthermore, Beyoncé went released her fifth album at the end of 2013, this was a surprise to everyone as she did not advertise anything about a new album therefore also causing many controversial opinions; “At the same time, she loosened her grip on the one thing the music industry has clutched to its heart while everything around it changed: the idea of the monolithic album release.”[14] Beyoncé’s confidence and dominant role in the music industry impacts audiences positively as it makes them feel empowered as well as enabling them to enjoy RnB without the negative language or explicit video footage. Beyonce is also known as a feminist and therefore as a black music celebrity she strives to change peoples lives and be happy as she talks about her new album she states: “When in respected, when I go on the stage and I see that I’m changing people’s life, those are the things that matters..”[15] This would therefore empower and encourage her audiences to be confident and stand up for themselves as they would be impacted to view her as a role model and positive figure to look up to.

The ways in which black music celebrities such as Jay Z and Beyoncé are represented gives audiences a sense of hope and prosperity for themselves. Relating to uses and gratification theory, audiences are able to use escapism whilst watching and listening to hip-hop and RnB music. This could have a negative impact on audiences as children may view their role models doing negative things or swearing and may believe that it is also acceptable for them to do the same in everyday life; “African American girls are being told that they are nothing but “bitches,” which can affect how they value themselves as they grow into women. African American boys are being told not to respect women because they are just “hos and tricks,” affecting how boys view relationships.”[16] Moreover, audiences are impacted through the hegemonic needle theory as by watching myogenic views and perfect bodies and faces in music videos would cause them to make a change on themselves in order to achieve the ‘perfect face’ or ‘perfect body’. “Heavy viewing of mainstream rap music videos can affect the ideology of African American children as they are developing who they are and where they fit into society.”[17] A prime example of where both girls and boys would strive to be like is shown in a song from Beyoncé’s new album ‘Beyoncé – Drunk in love ft Jay Z’[18]

In conclusion, a majority of black music celebrities have been represented over time as highly misogynistic as well a violent. These are mainly through the stereotypes of violence, drugs, sex and misogynistic attitudes which have been shown through music videos. These negative stereotypes of black music celebrities would therefore impact audiences negatively as it may cause them to act upon what they have seen and also go out and follow the actions of their role models; “We teenagers are growing up in a society where media has a great impact on our lives.”[19] However, as a feminist Beyoncé subverts these representations and demonstrates the positives of black music celebrities. Beyoncé as an example of many black music celebrity inspirations therefore impacts young audiences positively as they are enabled to feel empowered and are able to follow their role models footsteps without causing mayhem. Beyoncé is also seen as a life changing and inspiring role model; “The singer met with fans from all walks of life, including those with life-threatening and debilitating conditions”[20] this therefore would impact audiences positively and to care for others as well as themselves.

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[1] ‘The Impact of Rap and Hip-Hop Music On American Youth’ - By abkoobthoj, Hudson, WI

http://teenink.com/nonfiction/all/article/303133/The-Impact-of-Rap-and-Hip-Hop-Music-On-American-Youth/

[2] ‘Life is but a dream’ – Beyoncé http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNTm-61A3dU&safe=active

[3] ‘Ibid’ ‘The Impact of Rap and Hip-Hop Music On American Youth’ - By abkoobthoj, Hudson, WI

http://teenink.com/nonfiction/all/article/303133/The-Impact-of-Rap-and-Hip-Hop-Music-On-American-Youth/

[4] ‘The modern Athlete, Hip-Hop, and Popular Perceptions of Black Masculinity’ - By Thabiti Lewis. 2008 http://ejournals.library.vanderbilt.edu/index.php/ameriquests/article/view/146/164

[5] ‘Does modern rap and pop music have a negative influence on children?’ http://www.debate.org/opinions/does-modern-rap-and-pop-music-have-a-negative-influence-on-children

[6] ‘ibid’ http://www.debate.org/opinions/does-modern-rap-and-pop-music-have-a-negative-influence-on-children

[7] London riots: Is rap music to blame for encouraging this culture of violence? By Paul Routledge. 2011 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/london-riots-is-rap-music-to-blame-146671

[8] ASAP Rocky – Fucking problem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAQVGx1vzrk

[9] Black Artist’s Music Videos: Three Success Strategies, by Sonja Peterson – Lewis and Sirley A. Chennalt http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1986.tb03042.x/abstract

[10] ‘Our stories with Hip Hop’ By hiphop368 2013 http://hiphop368.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/rap-music-videos-affects-on-african-american-children/

[11] Does exposure to sexual hiphop videos influence the sexual attitudes of college students, Michael E. Kistler and Moon J. Lee http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/15205430902865336#preview

[12] 4 Reasons Why Beyoncé's Social Media Surprise Worked http://www.impactbnd.com/blog/4-reasons-why-beyonces-social-media-surprise-worked

[13] Beyonce – Who run the world (girls) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmMU_iwe6U

[14] The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/01/beyonce-redefined-release-album-adele

[15] “Self-tittled” part 2 Imperfection. http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/18/watch-beyonce-explain-why-shes-a-fierce-feminist/

[16] ‘ibid’ ‘Our stories with Hip Hop’ By hiphop368 2013 http://hiphop368.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/rap-music-videos-affects-on-african-american-children/

[17] ‘ibid’ ‘Our stories with Hip Hop’ By hiphop368 2013 http://hiphop368.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/rap-music-videos-affects-on-african-american-children/

[18] Beyoncé ft Jay Z – drunk in love’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1JPKLa-Ofc

[19] ‘ibid’ ‘The Impact of Rap and Hip-Hop Music On American Youth’ - By abkoobthoj, Hudson, WI

http://teenink.com/nonfiction/all/article/303133/The-Impact-of-Rap-and-Hip-Hop-Music-On-American-Youth/

[20] DailyMail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2405297/Beyonce-meets-devoted-fans-emotional-backstage-video.html

- BIBLIOGRAPHY

Work Cited

Internet:

1.     4 Reasons Why Beyoncé's Social Media Surprise Worked http://www.impactbnd.com/blog/4-reasons-why-beyonces-social-media-surprise-worked

2.     ‘Does modern rap and pop music have a negative influence on children?’ http://www.debate.org/opinions/does-modern-rap-and-pop-music-have-a-negative-influence-on-children

3.      ‘The Impact of Rap and Hip-Hop Music On American Youth’ - By abkoobthoj, Hudson, WI

http://teenink.com/nonfiction/all/article/303133/The-Impact-of-Rap-and-Hip-Hop-Music-On-American-Youth/

4.     ‘The modern Athlete, Hip-Hop, and Popular Perceptions of Black Masculinity’ - By Thabiti Lewis. 2008 http://ejournals.library.vanderbilt.edu/index.php/ameriquests/article/view/146/164

5.      ‘Our stories with Hip Hop’ By hiphop368 2013 http://hiphop368.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/rap-music-videos-affects-on-african-american-children/

 Moving images:

1.             ASAP Rocky – Fucking problem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAQVGx1vzr
2.       Beyoncé ft Jay Z – drunk in love’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1JPKLa-Ofc
3.       Beyonce – Who run the world (girls) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmMU_iwe6U
4.       Life is but a dream’ – Beyoncé http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNTm-61A3dU&safe=active

Newspaper:

1. 1.     DailyMail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2405297/Beyonce-meets-devoted-fans-emotional-backstage-video.html
   2.     London riots: Is rap music to blame for encouraging this culture of violence? By Paul Routledge. 2011 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/london-riots-is-rap-music-to-blame-146671
   3.     “Self-tittled” part 2 Imperfection. http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/18/watch-beyonce-explain-why-shes-a-fierce-feminist/
2.  4.       The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/01/beyonce-redefined-release-album-adele
3. 
   
4. Books:
5. 1.     Black Artist’s Music Videos: Three Success Strategies, By Sonja Peterson-Lewis And Shirley A. Chennault http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1986.tb03042.x/abstract
   2.     Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation – Jeff Chang and D J Kool Herc http://www.amazon.com/Cant-Stop-Wont-History-Generation/dp/0312425791/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2/183-0683003-5509549
   3.     Does exposure to sexual hiphop videos influence the sexual attitudes of college students, Michael E. Kistler and Moon J. Lee http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/15205430902865336#preview
   4.     Hip-hop Realness and the White Performer http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07393180500342878#.Uosp28TIZA0
   5.     Keepin' it Real Black Youth, Hip-Hop Culture, and Black Identity - Andreana Clay http://abs.sagepub.com/content/46/10/1346.short

   Work consulted

      

      Internet:

1. 1.     Beyonce Bares All For ‘Oprah’s Next Chapter’http://thatgrapejuice.net/2013/02/watch-beyonce-bares-oprahs-chapter-full/
2.         Beyoncé interview with Oprah http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/Oprahs-Next-Chapter-Beyonce
3.         Illuminati's Control Over the Hip Hop Industry http://thedoggstar.com/secret-societies/illuminati/illuminati-hip-hop-industry/
4.        Images of Black Women in Music Videos http://raprehab.com/images-of-black-women-in-music-videos/
5.          Representations of black women in music videos http://wgs101.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/representation-of-black-women-in-music-videos/
6.         Run This Town, Lucifer's Music Hit http://thedoggstar.com/secret-societies/freemasonry-in-hip-hop/run-this-town-satan-hit-2/

      Moving image:

1.             Beyonce – Halo http://www.youtube.com/watch?
2.        Beyonce – Halo (live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW8qsL1nDPM
3.       Beyonce – Irreplacable http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xwwuH_Z3WA
4.      Beyonce – Love on top (Live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujJQhYbaR9I

       Magazine:

1.       Teen Vogue - http://www.teenvogue.com/beauty/blogs/beauty/07-beyonce-teen-vogue-cover.jpg
2.       Vogue – front cover http://stylelifefashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/beyonce-knowles-vogue-magazine-cover-april-2009-01.jpg
3.         ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/Hiphop.html
4.        ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/mm42_hiphop.html
5.       ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/Anexplosionofgenres.html
6.           ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM45_read_rap.html
7.      ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM32_eminem.html
8.          ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM34_Change_music1.html
9.     ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM36_Collab_Music_Politics.html
10.     ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/mm23_black_press.html
11.   - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM29_Multiplatform.html
12.    ? - http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM35_Culture_Canon.html

(     All the englishandmedia magazine links do not work)

Books:

1.     Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism (Pluto Classics) - Bell Hooks http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aint-Woman-Black-Feminism-Classics/dp/0861043790/ref=pd_cp_b_0

2.     Best music writing 2004 – Mickey Hart and Paul Bresnick http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=QYHUExudAdoC&pg=PA252&lpg=PA252&dq=%2B%22representation+in+black+music%22&source=bl&ots=exp4WtUlq3&sig=YZil2F-WGKZpWTr1UNMD9i1ptsg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=K--AUtuuFsWM7AbCiIH4Dg&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%2B%22representation%20in%20black%20music%22&f=false

3.     Black Looks: Race and Representation – Bell Hooks http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Looks-Representation-Bell-Hooks/dp/0896084337/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386583249&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=black+celebrity+representations

4.     Black Sabbath - Master of Reality – Sabbath Black http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Sabbath-Master-Reality/dp/0793567750/ref=sr_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386582785&sr=1-16&keywords=black+music

5.     Can a Thug (get some) Love? Sex, Romance, and the Definition of a Hip Hop 'Thug' -Michael P. Jeffries http://www.michaelpjeffries.com/Jeffries_Can_a_Thug_get_some_Love.pdf

6.     Hip-Hop Honeys and Da Hustlaz: Black Sexualities in the New Hip-Hop Pornography - Mireille Miller-young http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/meridians/v008/8.1miller-young.html

7.     Home Girls Makes Some Noise: Hip Hop Feminism Anthology - Gwendolyn D. Pough http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Girls-Makes-Some-Noise/dp/1600430104/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386582813&sr=1-2&keywords=rap+music+representations

8.     Jay Z... and the Roc-a-fella records dynasty http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=MhdD5B87rhQC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=how+is+beyonce+and+jay+z+represented&ots=ix1iETKM4S&sig=1lY7phii07BvFS9HJYCjj1GHrZw#v=onepage&q&f=false

9.     Music Video and the Politics of Representation (Music and the Moving Image) – Diane Railton http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Video-Politics-Representation-Moving/dp/0748633235/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386582813&sr=1-1&keywords=rap+music+representations

10.  Race music by Guthrie P. Ramsey, JR http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=_4AJ_StNwVUC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=hip+hop+music+representations&ots=JQ9KWCpDmY&sig=jpzgwMZsUAeutkQeIf1JJ0Z594U#v=onepage&q=hip%20hop%20music%20representations&f=false

11.  Sounds Like London: 100 Years of Black Music in the Capital – Lloyd Bradley http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sounds-Like-London-Years-Capital/dp/1846687616/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386582785&sr=1-1&keywords=black+music

12.  The Success Story & Lessons of Beyonce & Jay Z: The Most Powerful Couple in the Music Industry (Secrets of Success) – Timothy Bauer  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Success-Story-Lessons-Beyonce-Jay-ebook/dp/B00D4KAG70/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386582633&sr=1-2&keywords=beyonce+and+jay+z