MODERN-DAY FEMINISM: BROOKE CANDY AND BEY

fem·i·nism

  [fem-uh-niz-uhm] 

noun

The doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.

It's 2014 and feminism is something that can't/shouldn't be ignored any longer. There are strong and independent women all over the world, and their voices need to be heard. But to be heard in our society, you must have a strong voice and a lot of power. Who can do that better than the women who get paid to use their voice, musicians? Right. 

Beyoncé Knowles

Queen B, Bey, Mrs Carter; call her whatever. Fact is that Beyoncé is known for her feminist music. Remember Destiny's Child's Independent Women?  These girls taught us to split bills, buy our own shoes and to depend on ourselves. Destiny's Child continued with this state of mind and and told us to find a guy who can pay for his own bills and car in Bills, Bills, Bills. We're 9 years later now and lead-singer Beyoncé is one of the most powerful and succesful female artists. She's the one who told men all over the world to 'put a ring on it' before someone else does, and in December 2013, she dropped her fifth studio album named Beyoncé. A lot of good songs were sent into the world, but to me, there were two songs that really caught my attention. 

'Bow down bishes'

Beyoncé's Flawless consists of two songs: Bow down and Flawless. In Bow Down, she sings about how she's not 'just his little wife' and how we all dream of being in her world. Okay. Then, the song changes and flows into Flawless. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's (sorry) verse comes up. She talks about how society treats us girls, how women are taught to 'make themselves smaller' for the purpose of men. She explains how boys and girls are raised differently and that society makes girls think that getting married is the most important thing.

Preach.

Bey tells ladies that they should feel #flawless 24/7, whether you're all dressed up or not wearing any make-up.

Chorus:"I woke up like this

We flawless, ladies tell 'em
I woke up like this (x 2)
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
Say I look so good tonight
God damn, God damn"

'Driver roll up the partition please'

Partition is a bit more sensual, and the diva now sings about how she 'just wants to be the girl he likes'. Hmmm. I can hear you think. But the point is that this is just a refference to role-playing 'cause she still controls all of it. Partition is a sexy song, with an even sexier videoclip. I think we all know what this song's about. At the ending of Partition, we can hear a French lady say that 'men think feminists hate sex, but that it's actually something they really enjoy'. 

Simple as that. 

Partition

Brooke Candy

Brooke Dyan Candy, 24 years old, is a female rapper. Brooke has been active since 2012 and if you ever watched Grimes' Genesis, you will probably recognise her, since she starred in the video as a futuristic warrior. 

Brooke is a beautiful example of how you can start from the bottom and still become something: the girl used to be homeless once. To make her way out of poverty, Brooke started stripping in Hollywood. Candy once told an interviewer that some guy asked her if she didn't feel used by the men she had to strip for, and Brooke replied to him saying that the men should feel used, because they're nothing more than an ATM-machine to her. Even though she's a lesbian, she did her thing and made up to 2000$ a night, but she stopped stripping and started focussing on her career as rapper. 

With success: she scored an internet-hit with Das Me. In the song, Brooke Candy tells us girls that we should take back the word  'slut', that it's a compliment now. She raps about how dudes can sleep around with anyone and will be 'cool' for doing it, but if she does the same people will call her a slut. Tell 'em girl! 

Brooke, who is adored on Tumblr, continues being succesful with her music. Her EP Opulence dropped yesterday and can be bought here .

Genesis

Feminism is a good thing and should be considered as something normal in our society. Unfortunately, that is not the case in all countries. It's obvious that music has a big influence on this and that a lot of artists are concerned about female rights. But all women should be able to stand up for themselves without being judged.

Love,

Dagou