Fashion and Sex sell Music

“Sex sells” may be a quote that is often heard, but how true is it? Over the last few decades, the music industry amongst others, have become more and more full of ‘adult content’, but what will 2010 bring? Music and sex have been, and will continue to push the boundaries of censorship, but just how far will it go?

Later, music Journalist Lawrence Lartey; formerly the contributing editor of urban music magazine Touch, gives us his views on how the music industry uses sex in today’s society.

As the years fly by and generations change, what is acceptable in society remains a mystery. This year alone every major music award ceremony broadcasted performances that were questionable. It is no secret that the music industry uses sex in order to sell music. Some may say the industry uses sex negatively whilst others will say it’s just a bit of fun. However, when a music video is created through unbearable lyrics and sex orientated scenes, how can we actually appreciate the musical content?

Photos Courtesy of MTV

One particular performance by American Idol runner up Adam Lambert had all media talking. At this year’s American Music Awards Adam broke boundaries and pushed all limits. Articles were being written and polls were taking place to clarify whether viewers thought his performance was provocative or pornographic. It was reported that Adam told CNN that it is “a form of discrimination and a double standard” for anyone to object since “women performers have been pushing the envelope” for decades.

Lawrence Lartey speaks on sexual content in the music industry….

Stefanie: What are your thoughts on sexual content in the music industry?

Lawrence: Sex, for a long time has been an essential element in the music industry, in a way; it represents power. Music artists have become our idols and our fantasies and therefore, play up to this role

Stefanie: How do you think sexual content is used in the music industry?

Lawrence: “If you’ve got it, flaunt it”, is a saying that the music industry takes to the extreme. The majority of the time; an artist’s fans are not just fans of the music, but fans of them. Some fall in love with their ‘celebrity icons’, so artists give the fans what they want in order to entice people to buy their records.

With such huge talent, why bare all? Being a successful talented artist in the public eye comes with responsibilities. The future generations look to these stars for inspiration and role models; but today we have to question whether or not an all-day playing music video is actually acceptable. In the music industry, album covers, music videos and even award ceremonies have the ability to turn our leading stars into nothing but sex symbols with loud voices. Is this purely to sell and promote their latest album? Is it a release of their inner selves? Or is it an outburst of pure rebelliousness?

These all remain an obscurity for now, 2010 is just around the corner and with censorship coming to new lengths, it will be interesting to see how the music industry; if ever, will be effected with less sexual content.

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