Just recently, the song “Neneng B” by Nik Makino is receiving a legal backfire not for the reasons most people would highly assume and would likely prefer; rather for illegally acquiring the beat of the song from a European music producer, Roko Tensei. Though many clamor for it to be taken down over its hypersexually explicit lyrics, copyright issues may be the best chance for the removal of this song in the music industry – a compromise that people would gladly not take for granted.
It is worth noting that ever since the song rose to its popularity, dialogues on the issues of objectification and sexualism had been circulating the internet. Still, it managed to get at this point wherein children are blindly singing along with its lyrics without careful thought, and even procured dance moves that might downplay its real issue (and its actual purpose) to mere entertainment.
This is not a new territory which people would trudge on as these issues that obliterate the sexuality of women has been highlighted for various international artists. It doesn’t mean, however, that it excludes the Philippine music scene. “Neneng B” is just one of the examples that vividly elaborates on the sexuality of women – not in an empowering manner which celebrates the spectrum of the female gender, but in an openly degrading stint.
Using the “Boys will be boys” Card
For years, the music industry has been blatantly harsh on women. It has been putting up transparent barriers that let women sit still and be policed by the so-called standards. This, in itself, allows objectification to pile up in the community. It is no surprise, however, for the industry has been contained in a male-saturated patronage.
For instance, the issue on Taylor Swift and her music being prohibited by two men – who are heads of the record label in which she used to be part of – says a lot about women being seen as mere catapults to the success of men.
This does not mean to turn its back on the considerable struggles that men in the music industry is also going through. It takes into account all discriminatory regards towards both genders. In retrospect, however, the scales tip more on women being the frequent receiving end, and most of the time, it is shunned by moguls that focus more on providing quantitative measures, more so in a patriarchal system.
Now, with the issue of Makino, in an artistic aspect, it could be claimed as a way of creatively expressing his art in a free medium that strips off any political or social undertones. However, this very action, whether it is fought to be a creative expression, intends to put harm on a group of persons, blatantly attacking and obliterating their freedom of expression.
It should be known that songs like these give free passes by charging it to the “boys will be boys” notion and openly allow men to determine according to their liking how women should be regarded in this society.
Changing the Narrative
In a generation gearing towards neutral liberalism, women are making active and loud choices to voice out their experiences. This may give insight on changing perspectives of women.
For instance, Bethany Consentino, the other half of an American rock duo Best Coast, called out the restless magnification of sexualism in the music scene through an essay. She voiced out how during gigs, overtly sexual phrases are still being used, which she refuses to be used on her and every woman in the industry.
“I am supposed to not only stand there and take it but also digest it as a compliment to add to my fierce arsenal of sexy confidence,” Consentino adds in disappointment.
“I’ve had guys outwardly tell me it’s different because you’re a girl.” Becky Bloomfield, frontwoman of punk rock band Milk Teeth, also recounted her experiences of gender discrimination in the music scene. She even pointed out how it was surprising for her male colleagues to know how much she was literate in the technical language of a concert gig. Unsurprisingly though, this just confirms the degrading image of women in the industry.
Some are small, yet sure steps taken. There are noticeably shifts in the rose-colored notions of allowing men to overpower women through the empowerment given by the media, speaking up when the situation calls for it. These small steps become the very foundation of an ideology that seeks not only to empower the female spectrum, but all persons regardless of their gender.
Even with such empowering acts that spring up from this situation, it is still important to note that they do not counteract the damages done and those who should be held accountable as prime proliferators or accessories to this issue must still be recognized. And women, surely, are not ready to back out just yet.
It is concerning how misogyny is still blatant and harsh these days despite how many are outspoken about the issue on hand. The world will never achieve equality if they never give way for change, especially when it comes to music – an important art form that the people stick to their hearts.
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