What's the Difference Between Bey, Kim, and Trina?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 12:17AM So I watched the “Video Phone” video yesterday. I don’t quite yet know what a “videophone” is, but maybe that’s just a sign of me aging my way out of pop culture. I’m fine with that.
And I’m not going into the Gaga vs. Beyonce debate because I think it’s clear to anyone with eyes that Gaga didn’t bring it. And while the video was a good look exposure-wise for her, artistically it was a fail.
Here’s what I do wonder though: what exactly is the difference between Bey, Lil Kim, and say, Trina? Yes, Bey sings, they rap. She can dance too and does her own beats and production whereas it’s still a big question mark if Trina and Kim even write their own lyrics. I fully acknowledge all of Bey’s talents. But content-wise, where’s the difference? Bey’s lyrics are just as materialistic, her video and stage outfits are just as scanty, and she spreads and P-pops it just as good as (if not more and better) than both Kim and Trina in their heyday.
So I’m confused. Is it that Bey cleans up nice for awards shows? That she comes from a two-parent home? That she’s from the ‘burbs? That she manages to be raunchy without cursing? That she’s light-brite and generally assessed as pretty? (just throwing ideas out there.) That she mixes her catalogue of raunch in with empowerment anthems? That she hides her raunchiest side behind an alter-ego, Sasha Fierce so it seems like it’s not really her? (Pause. You have no idea how disturbing I find it that a alleged 28 year old woman feels compelled to express her sexuality solely as a stage persona or an alter ego of said stage persona.) I’m really, really curious where the distinction lies.
And so we’re clear, this isn’t me trying to diss Bey. I’m not a hardcore Bey Bey fan, but I’ve got enough on my iPod to do a train ride to work and a three-mile run without doubling up. And though I don’t like all the content she puts out (frankly her film career is mediocre at best), I do respect a woman’s hustle and grind. I am, however, a hardcore Lil Kim fan (no pun) and can recite her debut album line for line. This is not me trying to bring Bey down, more like bringing Kim up, and Trina too, by extension.
I threw the question out on Twitter last night and expected to be stoned got the following thoughtful responses:
[Bey’s] no bird, but she is their patron saint! The next tour should be called "Beyonce Live: Where Chickenheads Come Home To Roost"
She has better marketing, and a good team behind her
She has a "voice" that will always get her a pass
I think Bey is a little more subtle in her lyrics than Kim/Trina. No vulgarity. But she is def suggestive.
think bc Bey has other stuff goin on, she's got fierce mgmt & she works that 'shy & so blessed' routine well in interviews. plus every1 knows the whole fam she comes from whereas kim and trina come off as hood chicks.
Actually, she does more poppin than all combined, but she also doesn't talk about f'ing "while her period on" (Trina) or blowjobs
Ok. But like how do you get away with lyrics like:
you like it when i shake it
shawty on a mission
wat yo name is
what you want me naked
if you liking this position
you can tape it
on yo video phone
and not be called a bird. Trina and Kim would be torn to bits for rapping about sex on tape, and they were hardly held up as role models. Let’s also keep in mind that 9/10 of Bey songs about men are for “soliders” ie, dudes with their pants sagging low and in white tees. Picture Wayne (who was in the "Solider"video), or better, Jay… but in his dealing days, ‘cause 9/10 when you see him now he’s in thong sandals on the beach or grown man sweaters around New York or Londontown. What kind of occupations to dudes you know have if they still wear white tees and sagging pants post-college?
Exactly.
And Bey’s just as materialistic as Kim and Trina as we can see from the “Upgrade You Lyrics”
Audemars Piguet watch
Dimples in ya necktie
Hermes briefcase
Cartier top clips
Silk lined blazers
Diamond creamed facials
VVS cuff links
6 star pent suites
And while she may not curse, she’s just as raunchy. Recite any double entendre on “Ego” and get back to me.
Maybe it’s because she started out pretty wholesome—despite the barely-there bedazzled “costumes.” I mean there was “Independent Women,” “Survivor,” “Me Myself and I” (I’m just gonna overlook “Bills, Bills, Bills,” an entire song about a man picking up the tab, for the sake of my argument.) There was also that song that I can’t remember the title to, but with lyrics, “girl, go put some clothes on, you nasty…” (Oh, the irony!)
But that’s evolved, into every other single being say... “ Freakum Dress” where women are encouraged to “spin it all around and then take it to the ground.” Or maybe we can refer to, “Ring the Alarm,” where instead of leaving a cheating lover, Bey decides to stay, referencing and recounting all the expensive and name-brand gifts she’ll be missing out on if she bounces. If that doesn’t sound like a bird anthem or the blueprint to a Kim or Trina verse or two, I don’t know what does.
Maybe it’s that she caters to the fellas. Let’s face it, a lot of backlash to Kim and Trina was because they cared too much about getting theirs. And they did it with a bravado that mirrored a man’s. Trina’s openeing verse on “Da Baddest Bitch” lays it all out:
All eyes on your riches
No time for the little dicks
You see the bigger the dick
The bigger the bank, the bigger the Benz
The better the chance to get close to his rich friends
Same goes for Kim’s explicit expectation on “Big Momma”:
that's how many times I wanna cum, twenty-one
and another one, and another one, and another one
24 karats nigga, that's when I'm fuckin wit' the average nigga
Both of these women have a high expectation in exchange for their services— money, an orgasm, something. Neither of these women have a “do your business and be done” situation like Mister and Ceilie in The Color Purple, or say Beyonce in “Cater to You” when she croons:
When you come home late tap me on my shoulder, I'll roll over
Baby I heard you, I'm here to serve you
If it's love you need to give it is my joy
All I want to do, is cater to you boy
Bar after bar she goes on and on about what she’s willing to do for her man (“because what she won’t “another woman is willing…”) and never, not once, asks for anything in return.
Is that it? Men are on board with her, so women fall in line?
I really don’t get it. I mean Kim wore next to nothing on stage, and was damn near stoned. Like Amber Rose, Trina got called all manner of “sluts” and “whores” for her all –Spandex, all the time get ups. But Bey shows up to sing Ava Maria, the “Hail Mary” of Catholic songs, in a leotard and veil and it’s like *crickets” from everyone, including the Catholic church. She shows up at the European Music Awards wearing red lingerie and matching garters on stage and no one bats an eye. A few years back, she gave Terrance Howard a lap dance on the stage for the BET Awards and barely a peep from anyone.
Is Bey benefitting from our relatively high shock-value, a bar raised by the antics of Lil Kim and Trina, so that she can do exactly what they did and not inspire the same level of outrage? Or is there something more to it than that?
I’m honestly confused.
Discuss.
Reader Comments (171)
Once again...an "alter ego" does not excuse behavior or give someone a pass! Can I kill someone and say "my alter ego did it". Ummm...no. Why not? Because we have to be accountable for our actions. So why is Bey an exception? So when we die can we just tell Jesus "Oh that wasn't me tryna shake it fast in front of millions of fans and showing little girls to use sexuality to get attention. It was Sasha Fierce!" Ha! I don't think so. Some of you people sound crazy. We don't know Bey or what she is like on her spare time. We only know what she allows us to see during a performance (aka soft porn). And with all this Illuminati symbolism in her videos (do some research) I'm convinced that Sasha Fierce is either demonic possession or Bey needs a psychologist. ASAP. Why are we quick to defend a woman that we don't know, but hesitant to help our neighbor?
>>>There are tons of variables that play into why she gets away with it, but these are the more notable ones and I can't say I' mad at her. Game well played.<<<
@Ceej
I agree. Thank you... and you ain't last. this post will go on for awhile. LOL
one thing:
>>> think everyone believes that Beyonce, in here ENTIRETY, is an ACT.<<<
i thought until i posted this. no, everyone (sadly) doesn't. there are a lot of folks buying this hook line and sinker
@twitter.com/shesnobodynegro
I can. I won't.
i will day this. I pray for the next generation's education. And if you're over 30 still making half-coked, circular arguments full of verbal attacks, and throwing out ideas that don't follow the subject at hand, I pray for my generation's. I'm just gonna pray for everyone and call it a day.
I'm convinced critical thinking is not taught in schools. We're raising a generation of people who will call folks "haters" in the boardroom and classroom when they don't agree.
*sigh*
Im thouroughly confused as to the underline point of this post.
Are you saying that Beyonce does not get enough backlash? Like Lil Kim and Trina?
Last time I checked the names "whore" "sluts" have been thrown at all three of them by the same group of people.
Lil Kim nor Trina has been chastised by mainstream because they are not recognized heavily by mainstream. Kim on occasions, but outside of the black community, I never really heard any quips about her, or Trina.
Beyonce on the other hand, has been accused of inciting "insolate sex parties", threatened by Muslim extremists, protested, and had news coverage of her videos being to "explicit" (see De Ja Vu).
Can the same be said for Kim and Trina?
Or is this a question why Kim and Trina or not accepted, because other then Missy and Lauryn. NO female rapper has seen that much success.
What kills me is how people call Beyonce a "product of Matthew" while Lil Kim and Trina are nothing more then cliched stereotypes of "female empowerment: through the eyes of males.
Kims whole persona (and lyrics) were crafted by BIG. Hell we even saw that narrative in the movie.
Trina hasn't been "relevant" since she parted ways with Trick.
They both fall into the trap of most female rappers, of trying to blend overt female sexuality, with gangster and testosterone driven bravado. IN the end it never works.
You can't brag about "putting a sprite bottle in your mouth", or "getting ate out infront of a mans kids", then try to come off hard, and "Gangster", or a Mafia boss.
In reality, Kim comes off as a woman with extreme self-esteem issues, and Trina is constantly on the hunt for a steady mate. They are all packaged, so whats your point?
This has been the problem with the "female rap formula" for years, and both Kim and Trina continue to repeat it, even though it has proven to be ineffective.
That's why the comparison is so far off base to me. Beyonce is Pop, along the lines of X-Tina, Brit, Madonna, etc.,
the duality between "Good Girl" and "Vixen" has always been a prevelant marketing tactic. This is accepted from not just Beyonce but most Pop stars in general. Though they have all faced criticism.
To me its a matter of genre.
It's all in the way you present the package. If every other word is dick this & pussy that, then yes, you're gonna get some words said . Yet with the way Beyonce packages hers, its different . And also, the comparisons are kinda weak, because just about everybody talks about sex and materialistic items...
Wow, this is SUCH a controversial topic hands down!!!! I must admit, I've sat here and read a lot of other people's opinions on this topic and can honestly agree with a lot of them. Is there truly a difference?!?!?! I think the fact that Beyonce is more of a classy lady is the real differentiator. Every woman has a little freak in them, and I think that is what Beyonce represents, the LADY in the streets and FREAK in the bed. There is a HUGE difference between an all the time 24/7 freak, and a in the closet freak. In the closet freaks are more RESPECTABLE, and PRESENTABLE. Beyonce is very tasteful and doesn't put ALL of her business in the streets like how she likes it, giving head, and other explict details. Therefore Beyonce is in another league because she is a LADY not a whore.
@Maitai I can respect your perspective about her hiding behind an alter ego, but I don't see how it's any different from Janet back in the day or any other artists, stating that they're expressing a different side of themselves. It's the same as an alter ego, but w/o labeling it such. Janet was marketed to kids Control was out when I was 7 & the Janet album when she was really sexy I was bout 13 or 14. My mama was not pleased. I also think Janet got a pass because her brother/family were so talented and represented the American dream, esp. for Black folks. No hate, just an opinion.
i must say that this article was written extremely well and i have to agree with you. a classmate and i were just talking about this video today, and while i enjoy beyonce's music, as of late, i have been really taking another look at her as an artist and as a woman that represents the black community. i know that she strives for female empowerment in her songs, but she has been much more raunchy & risque in recent years. i respect her hustle & her grind, but at the same, she can't continue to "hide behind" that sasha fierce chick for long. she is pushing thirty, and after a while, she may not be able to get away with that...
again, great article.
Were you reading my mind while I watched the "Videophone" video yesterday? Beyonce's outfits consist of less and less material as she does more videos. I'm actually surprised that the Obamas let their kids listen to Beyonce. I agree with some earlier posts about how maybe Beyonce is getting a pass because she started out in the PG Destiny's Child and gives off the good girl image. As far as Lil' Kim and Trina, they're just direct with the crude raps. Ladies don't come to mind when I think of them. Sorry!
*sigh* This is what irritates me about black people. Someone cannot have an opinion that goes against the grain without being called a hater?
Beyonce is a business woman first and foremost and I truly feel like most of this is an image to keep money in her pockets. This article was very well written and was also ubiased. I have too questioned why it seems that Beyonce can get away with certain things that other artists can't. I think some of what the post mentioned are valid reasons. But I think the biggest reason is the stan mentality, people's willingness to drink the kool-aid and an overall acceptance of mediocrity. I listen to Beyonce's albums too, but the second coming of Jesus she is not. I find it funny that on one hand these stans are quick to say Beyonce is just a human being when she is faced with criticism but regal her as some sort of diety in the same sentence.
People please get together. Beyonce has her man and her money. It would behoove many of you to get some of your own and quit riding this girl's bootylicious butt like a mechanical bull.
Kudos Belle! You are the first to post an article/blog without bias(IMO), as it relates to Beyonce(that I have read) I love the debate with out hate(for the most part). I believe it is time we have these type(and many more) of discussions. It is my thought that art should provoke debate, it helps us to understand our society ills better. I don't believe it's as much abt blame, as it is abt reflections of the life we currently are experiencing. Helps us to put into perspective how far we have come, or regressed for that matter. Even question our own thoughts or judgements, and perhaps why we feel that way.
My only request is to the "Stans", please present your case with out "hate, haters, jealous, or her 'bank' " because(IMO) it is irrelevant to the discussion at hand. You can not believe that everyone who disagrees with you or Beyonce are jealous of her, or hating on her. Or do you?
Let's get to the more important topic at hand.
I thought Gaga was FABULOUS!
To be that understated (because true, it was NOT typical Gaga) and to still steal the spotlight away from Queen B?
Work. Bitch. Fierce.
I have NEVER seen a human alive that can make you watch them over Beyonce Knowles IN a Beyonce Knowles production! Letoya, LeTavia, Kelly, and Michelle couldn't do it in all their years in DC combined.
If anything, all I saw was B's half assed attempt to be "different" and Gaga stepped in and taught her ass how it's really done.
All that throwing it around and bright color changes aren't necessary. TRUE CREATIVITY doesn't have to be manufactured, Ms. Knowles.
I am seating here watching Janet on ABC, and I have come to the conclusion that Beyonce is trying to be like Janet. From the soft voice in interviews, to the alter ego while on stage. Same type of background: wholesome family, manager-father, muscial siblings, and the privacy of their personal lives. I am glad I have figured this out, now I can shut down all the extra Bey fans. oh and Belle, I love love love you blog, it is as if you are in my head.
AND FOR THE RECORD, KANDI BURRUSS WROTE BILLS, BILLS, BILLS. I AM STILL ON THE FENCE ON JUST HOW TRUTHFUL YOUR ARTICLE IS AS FAR AS YOU AND BEYONCE'S MUSIC.
NASTY GIRL, IS ABOUT WOMEN WALKING THE STREETS WITH THE SHORTS UP THEIR AZZEZ AND WHATNOT. I AM OUT. QUESTION, IS YOUR BLOG ALWAYS POPPING LIKE THIS, OR DID YOU GET LUCKY WITH THE BEYONCE TOPIC LIKE THE REST OF THE BLOGS. WHETHER GOOD OR BAD, AS LONG AS BEYONCE IS BEING DISCUSSED HER PORTFOLIO STILL RISES!
Kandi wrote it, bey bey performed it. The point stands.
I have no reason to lie. You don't believe me? Um, there's no basis, but that's cool.
We have intelligent conversation here daily. We're thinkers. if you have something intelligent to say, join us. If not, thanks for coming out, God bless, and goodnight
I do request you take your caps off. It reads ignorant.
Im really loving and agreeing with all of your points. i used to fuck with Bey a while back when she first came out and even with B'Day. But then I feel right immediately after "B'Day"she came out with "I Am..." and I felt like it was Beyonce over load. When I saw the Single Ladies video I was impressed still.. but single release after single release it all started to sound the same, and she kept moving the same way. Shes known for her signature booty popping and gyrating moves, and I'm done and tired of it. I'm tired of hearing her sing about the same things, I'm tired of seeing the same moves, I'm tired of seeing the same image of her... She desperately needs to reinvent herself...
Thats why Christina Aguilera will ALWAYS be my favorite singer... She's a genius at reinvention... and Beyonce needs to take notes. She needs to hibernate for a little while and come back with something amazing and different and then I will respect her again. And because shes as big as she is and has been in the entertainment business for so long, theres no question that she has the potential to be something better than what she is. What kills me is that people put her on this pedestal and fail to see that shes just doing the same ish shes been doing since shes come out and hasnt changed a damn thing. Its all about the money and the hustle and not about the craft and the artistry of being an entertainer.
"I really don’t get it. I mean Kim wore next to nothing on stage, and was damn near stoned. Like Amber Rose, Trina got called all manner of “sluts” and “whores” for her all –Spandex, all the time get ups. But Bey shows up to sing Ava Maria, the “Hail Mary” of Catholic songs, in a leotard and veil and it’s like *crickets” from everyone, including the Catholic church. She shows up at the European Music Awards wearing red lingerie and matching garters on stage and no one bats an eye. A few years back, she gave Terrance Howard a lap dance on the stage for the BET Awards and barely a peep from anyone."
This statement you made is very true and def was in my mind while I watched this year's BET Awards. When I saw the performance I thought it was mediocre, and def expected her to do Ego with Kanye and call it a day. I was on twitter when I saw it and everybody was ranting and raving about how classy she is... I was like COME ON! My mom couldve not said it better herself "How you gonna perform Ava Marie wit ya ass hangin out!" Its because its BEYONCE, but people really need to look BEYOND the pipes that she obviously has and the booty popping moves she always does and look at the bigger picture. If she comes out with the same shit come her next album I am def DONE with her.
Great, thoughtful, provocative post. I think the only difference in them is Bey has "crossover" popularity and attains that easily because of her looks (fake hair and skin color included). Also classism plays a huge part in this- Bey's dad is all up in the mix and people know she comes from a "good family", the suburbs etc. But no one knows how much Bey has been a hoe on the down low-but I have more respect for Lil' Kim & Trina for being blunt and just putting the "dick" out there. I have personally always been fans of theirs but Bey not soo much but I won't ever knock the girl's hustle.
Sadly your post is continuing evidence of the lack of "good" men in the lives of black women, I once heard it said"where there are no decent men, there are no decent women" what kind of man continually let's his woman be portrayed in that manner. We have all seen the slow unveiling of young black women in entertainment, Janet, Beyonce, and now Rihanna to name a few.They come in with looks and talent, and before long they are reduced to objects of vain imaginations. While I appreciate the God given gifts and talents of these young women, we must concede that our art and culture is not controlled by us, and those who have that control are obviously not interested in the long term and lasting effects, not just on the artist themselves, but also on the community that they come from,the message is clear Sex still sells, at any price.For more check out our blog-atnestasplace.wordpress.com
Wow, I love the article. I think Beyonce is the "perfect" superstar... adored by millions of white peeps who buy her records all around the world. She's not really light skinned though... I mean she's light, but not that light... that's why make-up and hair - long and blondish (think of how white she got when she went to Korea), are so important to her as an artist. I don't think we will ever see her with short, dark, afro hair (I've seen pics of her with it short but still dyed).
So now that she is accepted and "white" enough, she's got that Southern Belle thing going on, pretending to be a virgin, there's never anything nasty said about her (in mainstream, national newspapers). When you to get to her wearing leotards and shaking her azz - it's okay, because the masses just see her as following trends set by other artists (leotards are so GaGa). They don't mind seeing cooch, as long as it is a "nice girl's" cooch! Everyone just goes along with it.
Black people who say something are labelled "haters," and ignored by mass media.... I mean, come on, other female artists get blasted in the media for showing their cooches on nights out, but Bey does it and it only gets into the blogs. Other female artists get blasted in the media for dancing half naked, showing their cellulite off... Bey does it, with more cellulite than a whole bunch of them, but it's ok, mainstream media will not publish that pic girl!! Save it for the blogs! If you post it: Your a hater!! You wish you were her! You must be ugly!
I really like your blog and your post was amazing!
Beyonce has a very smart man for a FATHER so really she didn't have to screw her way to the top or sell sex in the beginning but now she solo what else she going to talkabout that's going to attract that young audience. Yes she's very subtle in her approach n make it acceptable but i stopped listening to her years ago i didn't know video phone until ii saw the video and I'm in that age group that love Bey. I never much listened to TRINA but love KIM (I'm from BK of course i love her).But if you look at if Bey is acceptable and a lot of people she her FATHER as the culprit. I love Solange way more than Bey and I'm still wonering why so much marketing doesn't go towards her like Bey it goes back to DC they made an image of DC long ago put them in media eyes with the father scandel and they have been there since and besides her father a very smart and f up individual at the same time she marries JAY "a Bad boy" who went from BK TO HERMES AND MAYBACH SHE MARRIED THE BAD GUY GONE GOOD WHICH WAS SMART n of course her dad had something to do with that why else would this christian family allow her to marry a brooklyn boy who make take some getting use to when hood dudes are normally frowned upon I CALL IT EXCELLENT MARKETING AND A SMART CONNIVING FATHER WHO WILL TAKE THE FALL FOR BAD GUY TO MAKE HIS GIRL GOOD ( ND HE PLAYS BAD GUY SO WELL).
gaga didnt want be be "gaga" in the video , according to mtv: "Gaga said last month that she told Beyoncé: "I don't want to show up in some frickin' hair bow and be fashion Gaga in your video.' I said, I want to do you. so matthew knowles cant be given credit for that..
and the illuminuati stuff in the comments-- *blank stare* uhmmm...makes you wonder if that youtube series about beyonce being a pawn of the devil/illuminati's love child is true...spooky!
love the post---love the comments!! go belle!
It's insane to me that this article generated this many comments.
Oh, and when I see all caps, I just stop reading. It just says, "NEXT!" to me.
Great article! And for the people talking about Janet-Janet may have been shy but she never presented herself as the good church girl. And Beyonce worked herself up to the solo star but her Dad has been playing hardball with companies ever since. I read about him threatening radio stations if they played Letota Luckett's songs. And is he behind the craapy way her label is treating her?
Your frustration and misunderstanding of beyonce, is your own confusion of what it means to empower women. There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything. First lets understand that there is no way earthy possible that you can hold beyonce, lil kim, and trina on the same pedistal. Now lets understand this, the crowds that beyonce are trying to appeal to and the crowds that lil kim and trina are tryin to appeal to, are too different crowds. I believe beyonce understands a lil bit better than lil kim and trina that even though im on stage protraying this character "sasha fierce", I still have lil girls who look up to me. Yes Beyonce sells sex but more importantly she is selling "sexy". Songs like "Ring The Alarm" are not about a gold digging groupie or female. Its an athem for those women who are willing to fight for theirs, Im sure you have been through a situation when another female wanted what was yours. Im pretty sure you not letting go without a fight, because you've been there too many years and invested too much for somebody to try to sneak in and takes whats yours and what you've built. Thats Why Beyonce Is Ringing The Alarm. Songs Like "Cater 2 U" are not songs about a woman being a push over and doing just whatever her mans says. Its another anthem for those women who think they their men have done such a beautiful job of making them feel worthy by treating them like queens that every now and a then they want to cater to their men because thats their reward from them. Songs like "Freakum Dress" is not all about women putting on the raunchy dresses going to the club and getting there freak on. Its about women who have been through, tired of coming up short & and its time for them to dust themselves off, getting all dolled up, lookin like a million bucks for that night and just go have fun with your girls for that night. FEELIN GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF, HAVIN EXTREME CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF, KNOWING THAT EVERY MAN OUT THERE WHOEVER IT MAYBE WILL BE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU is all Beyonce is tryin to show women or instill in women. When you can find a song by lil kim or trina displaying affectionate passionate love in their songs at the same time they talkin bout the next "bitch hating" or the "next nigga they gone turnout". then you can holla at me. And yes it is the difference between Beyonce Lil Kim And Trina that what Beyonce sings in her songs like "video phone", she's not going out of her way to display her "freakness" in the public eye. Its one thing to sing about it, but its damn sure another thing to live it. I do not have not one problem with lil kim or trina. But I have enough sense to understand that Beyonce, Lil Kim, & Trina are 3 different women. Accept It!!!
I posted a similar article on my IVORY'S INTELLECT blog (just click my name to be taken there). I thought about how much raunchier Beyonce is becoming over time. When she first appeared in 2003, I was put off my her skimpy clothes, but I got used to it. Now she seems to be taking it even further. She's my favourite singer so it's VERY disappointing to see her drifting away from her meaningful, respectable, timeless music and towards empty, catchy lyrics with empty, visually appealing music videos. I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come....
So is this just about star power? Probably not. This is America, after all. There's some classism and some colorism, sure, but I think there's something for the comment about her being "protected" because being with Jay legitimizes her. I mean, she's a wife. A wife can't be a ho, too. There's a whole hood rule about it: can't turn a ho into a housewife. There will be no transgressions of hood rules.
But is it even a valid question to begin with? Do they have to be the same thing because they all have boobs and brown skin? They are operating in different levels of the marketplace, after all. Besides the obvious -- they are all female, black and paid entertainers -- I don't know if comparing them is even an equitable comparison. Do we compare the Rolling Stones with the Jonas Brothers? No, really, I'm asking because I immediately turn on my internal blinders when I see the Jonas Bros. Maybe we do, but probably we don't.
Which stands to ask, does the question limit black women to acceptable age old archetypes -- madonna or whore! you must choose and you must choose now! -- and the question is the problem?