Music, Clothing, Teeny Bopper Culture and a gun... any takers?
As the title may suggest, I don't have the greatest of respect for the teeny bopper music culture, trashy catchy music that sells until the next thing comes out. It is a driver of the capitalist culture amoungst one of America's biggest spending markets - pre teen girls.
It is true that popular fashion trends are carried by pop music. Not just the pussy cat dolls either, every genre has those that sell products. The Checks from Takapuna Grammar sport Little Brother gear through sponsorship, Bono's glasses are sponsored (by a brand I can't remember), The Stones tours have had corporate sponsors throughout their history. These deals are the work of clever marketing exectuives who make big money for record companies and the bands by "selling them out" as people might put it. I just think the teeny bopper market is a lot bigger and the reason's the music is created isn't neccesarily for musics sake, but more as a marketing tool for products.
In saying that I don't think it can be justified that young teenage girls just watch music videos for the fashion, but I wish it was, then we could change the music. There's an understanding that links these girls with this music, and when they rebel their are the same ideals with a different sound... eg. Avril Levene and nearly all emo bands around. I think the ideals of a capitalist economy are strongly represented in the video's on nearly every music video on tv and internet. Jay-Z 's Roccafella wear makes him more money than all of his other ventures, he's just signed Victoria Beckham... I'm pretty sure there are some fairly close links to music executives who create pop stars and the clothing industry that supplies Glassons and Supre...
It is true that popular fashion trends are carried by pop music. Not just the pussy cat dolls either, every genre has those that sell products. The Checks from Takapuna Grammar sport Little Brother gear through sponsorship, Bono's glasses are sponsored (by a brand I can't remember), The Stones tours have had corporate sponsors throughout their history. These deals are the work of clever marketing exectuives who make big money for record companies and the bands by "selling them out" as people might put it. I just think the teeny bopper market is a lot bigger and the reason's the music is created isn't neccesarily for musics sake, but more as a marketing tool for products.
In saying that I don't think it can be justified that young teenage girls just watch music videos for the fashion, but I wish it was, then we could change the music. There's an understanding that links these girls with this music, and when they rebel their are the same ideals with a different sound... eg. Avril Levene and nearly all emo bands around. I think the ideals of a capitalist economy are strongly represented in the video's on nearly every music video on tv and internet. Jay-Z 's Roccafella wear makes him more money than all of his other ventures, he's just signed Victoria Beckham... I'm pretty sure there are some fairly close links to music executives who create pop stars and the clothing industry that supplies Glassons and Supre...
posted by Ben McMahon at 4:54 pm
4 Comments:
I've heard this a million times before. But the worst is when you have a Rock or "Alternative" fan stating this saying how their favourite band, lets say TOOL, is sooooo the opposite. Infact they are a product as much as the Britney's and Christina's.
But anyway what you speak is the truth but it also includes ALL major label bands, not just the Pop genre.
As to the girls and their clothing, I can't say I see the problem. I'm out and about allot and I haven't noticed any skanky young girls dressing like the Pussycat Dolls. Maybe we are over exaggerating, is it really that big of a problem? It’s the parents who buy the young teenagers their clothes..... As for 16+ I don't care, it’s there choice. But for kids younger than 16 I think its the parents responsibility.
"I'm out and about allot and I haven't noticed any skanky young girls dressing like the Pussycat Dolls"
In response to this statement: I do happen to see young girls dress in a skanky Pussycat Doll way. I recall I was in town on a Saturday night a few weeks ago, which was a freezing winter's night, and I came across a group of three girls. They all had a similar skanky dress sense but there was one specific girl that made me drop my jaw. She wore a black mini skirt about 20cm long with no stockings, a boob tube that didn't cover her belly button and a little black coat that seemed to only cover her arms. I was amazed and shocked that she had not turned purple from the cold as I was standing there shivering with 3 layers (including a woolen coat) and pants of course. These girls did not look older than 16, making me really wonder what provokes them to dress to these extremes in the middle of winter.
As a consequence, apart from possibly freezing to death, they were called "skanks, sluts, and whores" by the young emo group nearby.
For some reason I always seem to see inappropriately dressed young girls around.
-Elaine
Hey Ben,
Good to read your blog on this topic. I made the comments in lecture 2; which amounted to a mini-discussion with not enough time to clarify points precisely. (But, perhaps that’s Luke’s ruse to get us into a heated debate 5 mins at the end of lecture so that we blog our thoughts?)
Yeah, of course, young women and girls watch music videos for the music - but not only for the music. There is – in my view – enormous emphasis is placed by the young female spectator on the aesthetic elements of image/style, fashion, dance, movement and gesturing, which all are related to issues of social authenticity and identity - often within their peer group.
I got my comments from some post-structuralist feminist readings (I’ve cited these on my blog ‘young women and music videos’; posted on, 01.08.06) and from media articles about the nikewomen.com website.
FYI - Here is an excerpt from the article ‘Creative Showcase; Nike Women’:
"Not surprisingly, Nike continues to evolve its brand with relationships and content that matter to their audience. With respect to the Rihanna interactive experience, Nike’s team leverages valuable customer insight - young girls don’t watch music videos for the music, but for the style - connecting the shopping experience from superstar to fingertips" (06 April, 2006).*
*Accessed at: http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/882.asp
bests,
Andrea
FTVMS 206
I think your right there. They both deal with the same groups and categories of individuals. Both are looked up to and worshiped by the pre teens, teens and who knows who else. In this age where $$$ rules almost or maybe even all markets, why shouldn’t there be ties between the two industries? Product placements the prime example.
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