I
n recent years we’ve seen the rise of some interesting female artists such as Cardi B, Lorde, Kehlani, SZA, and Rihanna. A lot of these artists have certainly shot to the top with their talent and music, but what makes them so intriguing are the types of themes and messages they present to the media and through their music. By most standards these themes of sexuality, identity, selfempowerment would be looked down upon in society, but that’s what makes this movement of new female artists so empowering. It’s almost a rebellion against society norms on how they should act.
herself this. It’s empowering because sexuality is something that everyone has, and women shouldn’t feel discouraged from wanting to express that at the expense of how people will perceive them.
C
hanges like this are important because in the past, female artists like Mariah Carey and Brandy were slandered and judged for wanting to step away from the typical way women had to express themselves in mainstream media.
“It’s a rebellion against society norms on how
o
they should act”
ne of the biggest and common themes that most of these artists share in common is the theme of sexual empowerment. A sense of being able to put their sexuality out into the world, but carrying themselves with respect. Rihanna for years now, has been one to express herself in a sexual manner throughout her music, but also go about her business in any other casual way. The way she goes about her life without feeling the need to explain why she puts her sexuality forward, or acknowledge that does express
PHOTOS BY PROVIDED WRITTEN BY TYLER JORDAN
a
nother message that’s been pushed by these artists is acknowledging their flaws and using them as a sense of empowerment. Cardi B was once a wellknown stripper from Atlanta, but instead of letting her past life weigh her down, she acknowledges that she used to live this lifestyle and uses her experience from this to become a hustler and navigate her way through the rap industry. On SZA’s debut album, one of the running themes on it was her past as being a side chick. What makes it so empowering is her willingness to acknowledge this and not feel ashamed. In a way she is taking the connotation and stigma that’s been placed on women who fall into this category.
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