Representation in the Music Industry

Nowadays, music videos stereotypically perceive men and women differently.

Women are commonly sexualised as it is believed that there exists a link between music sales and sex; ‘sex sells’. Women are often seen to express their sexuality through provocative clothing and performance. This is notably prevalent in the R&B and hip-hop genres. However, on the completely opposite side of the spectrum female artists who produce pop ballads, such as Adele, are often sold as ‘singer-songwriters’ and ‘award-winning vocalists’. This type of artist is rarely sexualised, but rather, revered for their talent. Adele and artists like her, seem to have successfully subverted the expectations of female artists in the music industry with their stunning vocals, breathtaking melodies and empowering lyrics.

Contrastly, men are often portrayed as dominant and powerful. There is significantly less of a focus on male artist’s physical appearance; the focus instead is on their masculinity. However, the portrayal of men can differ subject to music genre. The hip-hop genre usually conveys the idea of male power and dominance, whereas, male pop artists tend to be shown as more caring and sensitive.