Is it body positivity or are we just beating the booty-bullies to the finish line by making ourselves the butt of the joke?
This article was originally written for and published as editorial commentary at Country Music News Blog by Shauna “WhiskeyChick” Castorena on April 7, 2023.
I’m doing it. I am finally calling out something that bothers the **** out of me in country music, and that is Dump Truck Country Marketing. Why is it that one of the best songwriters in modern country music, Miss Lainey Wilson, has to market on the strength and size of her ample posterior instead of just getting credit for the music that she makes? Why is it Priscilla Block had to immediately be the first to pick on herself through songs like “Thick Thighs Save Lives” in order to be taken seriously on any stage?
These women are unfortunately forced to pick on themselves or accept the image they’re being sold as for the very reason that society might discourage them from gaining any kind of celebrity, and that is their ample rears. Their voluminous posteriors seem to be the focus of all their press releases, of all their news coverage, and quite honestly, I’m sick of it. Now, I’m a fan of a nice, round rear, but I don’t understand what that has to do with the music you make other than if you fall on your ass, it might not hurt as much. When are we going to stop marketing bodies and start marketing music again? I’m all for body positivity, but this is a pain in MY ass.
The sexualization and objectification of women in the music industry have been an ongoing issue for years. Despite the industry’s progress towards body positivity and female empowerment, there are still remnants of antiquated marketing tactics that prioritize the physical appearance of female artists over their musical abilities.
These days female artists have so much to contend with when it comes to feedback on social media, and 99% of the time the commentary has NOTHING to do with the music they make. Instead of receiving recognition for their songwriting skills and musical talents, their ample posteriors have become the focus of press releases and news coverage. This type of marketing perpetuates the idea that a woman’s worth is tied to her physical appearance rather than her talents and skills.
It is unfortunate that female artists have to pick on themselves or accept the image they’re being sold as in order to gain recognition and success. This suggests that the industry is not yet ready to fully embrace and celebrate women for their musical abilities alone. It is also concerning that society’s narrow beauty standards are still influencing how women are marketed in the music industry.
While these artists are incredibly gorgeous as they are, it should not be the focus of an artist’s marketing campaign, or even the reputation that they lean into. As consumers, we must demand that the industry changes its marketing strategies and focuses on celebrating artists for their musical abilities rather than their physical appearance. Female artists should not have to conform to society’s beauty standards to gain recognition and success. By embracing a more inclusive and respectful approach, the industry can create a more positive and empowering environment for all artists.
In conclusion, it is essential to recognize that marketing strategies have a significant impact on the way female artists are perceived and celebrated in the music industry. The excessive sexualization and objectification of female artists can lead to a lack of respect for their work and contribute to the perpetuation of gender-based discrimination. Basically, by not correcting the rhetoric, we’re rewarding the prioritization of looks over talent.It is time for the industry to shift its focus back towards celebrating women for their musical abilities and create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all artists. As fans, we must demand change and support artists who challenge gender-based discrimination and embrace body positivity without self-deprecating and debasing their bodies just to keep people talking.