Monday, June 25, 2012

Because we still haven't stopped talking about Lana Del Rey


Here's a short, but insightful, post from persophnette's Tumblr on why the criticisms of Lana Del Rey's lack of talent and easy entry into the music business are often unfair and rooted in sexism: 
"I refuse to engage with the question “how dare this talentless woman buy her way into the music industry in order to become famous?” when we are not asking the same question of say, LMFAO, who, if we’re talking quality of content, are pretty bottom of the barrel? When similar conversations are STILL being had about say, Courtney Love? You know? (Disregarding for the purpose of this example that there’s definitely an analysis that the first male “talentless rich kid pop star” that came to mind was the son/grandson of Motown’s founder, and that’s problematic in itself.)"
It comes down to women having to prove their worth in an industry that equates artistry with grizzled singer-songwriters, and disposable fluff with distaff pop stars. Even the word pop is a loaded term, and one I throw around here a little more loosely that probably most "real" music fans would like. I don't think questions of Lana Del Rey's actual product are unfair, but most rock writers like to bring up her place in music, and whether it's a deserved one, rather than the music she's making.

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