Alright guys, I have to play devils advocate here. What the hell is the difference between Raheem Devaughn’s video for “Single” versus Keri Hilson’s video for “The Way You Love Me?” Not a damn thing! Both singles are sexually driven with explicit videos. Both artists are talented songwriters who have written hit singles for other artists but have resorted to using sex to sell their own albums. So why are we giving Keri Hilson such a hard time as opposed to letting Raheem slide? There has not been nearly as much criticism towards Raheem as it was towards Keri when the video first “leaked”. Could it be because he is a male and we expect that type of behavior from a man? I tend to believe that there is a double standard at play. We all labeled Keri a “good girl” and we chastised her for being overtly sexual in her music, me included. While Raheem’s video has not gotten nearly as much controversy and it is even more sexual. I mean they are switching positions and he is performing oral sex on the chick. It don’t get much freakier than that during a 3 minute video.
The question we should all be asking is whether or not these double standards in entertainment should exist? Lets go back to BET who refused to air Ciara’s video for “Ride” due to its sexual nature. Sure it was sexual but not more so sexual than all of the other titties and a** that you can find on BET during a sunny afternoon on the show 106th and Park with an audience filled with teenagers. In the same token, BET has no problem playing Trey Songz whose content usually is more sexual than not. In fact, that has been what has launched his career. I interviewed Trey Songz back when he was promoting the album Just Gotta Make It. The demand for him was not on and poppin the way it is now. He turned on the sex and got his mini R. Kelly on and suddenly he is a musical genius.
Men are allowed to explore their sexuality freely without judgment. This is not just in music but in life in general. Women, on the other hand are forbidden from crossing those same lines in society…Continue Reading
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Double standards in the music industry have been an issue for decades, especially when it comes to female artists. But what about male artists? Are they held to a different set of expectations than their female counterparts? This article will explore how double standards affect two popular R&B singers: Keri Hilson and Raheem Devaughn.
The Grammy-nominated duo has enjoyed successful careers in the music business, but both have experienced scrutiny from fans and critics alike regarding their artistry. For instance, Hilson was called out by Beyoncé’s “Suga Mama” lyrics after she released her hit single “Energy” in 2008. Similarly, Devaughn was criticized for his overtly sexual song titles such as “Woman” and “Customer” which some deemed inappropriate compared to other male contemporaries like Trey Songz or Usher.
This article seeks to uncover why these double standards exist in the first place and how they are impacting Hilson and Devaughn’s respective careers. It is important that we further understand the systemic issues that continue to plague the music industry so that all artists can enjoy equitable opportunities within it.
Impact Of Double Standards On Music Industry
Double standards in music affect the careers of many artists, including Keri Hilson and Raheem Devaughn. These double standards set a different standard for male and female artists, creating an unequal playing field that can sometimes make it harder for female performers to gain success.
The biggest impact these double standards have on women is the expectation they will conform to certain ideals or stereotypes when making their music. Women are held to higher expectations than men regarding body image, sexual behavior and overall style choices, while men may be allowed more freedom. This leads to women being subjected to sexist criticism and slut-shaming if they don’t adhere to the rules society sets out for them.
These gender differences also extend into areas such as promotion and marketing efforts by record labels. Men often receive bigger promotional budgets because they’re viewed as having a wider audience appeal than women. Consequently, female musicians struggle to get their songs played on radio stations due to lack of funding from labels or other promotional outlets like magazines and websites.
Ultimately, this disparity creates a lopsided industry where female voices are underrepresented in comparison with those of men’s. As a result, talented women are left without the same recognition and opportunities their male counterparts enjoy—a situation which not only unfairly disadvantages female performers but limits audiences from hearing diverse musical styles too.
Implications For Keri Hilson And Raheem Devaughn
Keri Hilson and Raheem Devaughn have both been affected by the double standards in music. For Hilson, she has received a lot of criticism for her image and lyrical content despite being one of R&B’s most successful young artists. She was once labeled as ‘the black Taylor Swift’ due to her success with female-centric songs that often discuss relationships from a woman’s perspective. As a result, many people felt she wasn’t living up to their expectations of what an R&B artist should sound like or look like.
Meanwhile, Devaughn has also experienced his share of gender bias in the industry. He is seen as something of an anomaly because he doesn’t fit into any traditional categories; instead, he blends elements of soul, jazz and funk into his music. This makes him difficult to market which can restrict potential exposure even though he is highly regarded among critics and fans alike.
Overall, these two musicians demonstrate how easily double standards can stifle creativity and limit opportunity within the music industry. It’s important that these issues are addressed so all performers—regardless of gender—can be given equal chance at success without having to conform to specific ideals or stereotypes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, double standards in the music industry have had a major impact on artists such as Keri Hilson and Raheem Devaughn, by limiting their success and opportunities. It is unfair that male singers are allowed to express themselves more freely than female singers, without facing any serious consequences. This has caused many talented female artists like Keri Hilson to be overlooked due to the sexist attitudes of the industry. Similarly, Raheem Devaughn’s message of uplifting love songs was not given enough attention because it did not fit into the macho image perpetuated by mainstream hip-hop culture.
Despite these challenges, both Keri Hilson and Raheem Devaughn continue to make meaningful contributions to music with their unique styles. Their artistry has been celebrated by fans around the world who appreciate them for staying true to themselves despite societal pressures. We can only hope that by creating awareness about this issue, we will move towards an environment where all musicians regardless of gender or genre can thrive free from discrimination and bias.
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