So, is it really fair to say that women are the only ones who should be shown as a sex object? In JLo's newest video, "I Luh Ya Papi", she gives a very playful way of reversing roles and showing the men as the objects of desire - barely dressed, and being on display for the women to speculate and react to.
Women have been sex objects for well over 2 decades in music videos and have went through an evolution of being the girl to party with to the girl who's proud of using her curves to pay her bills, to rappers living the lifestyle with groups of women who will do anything sexually to and for him. Now, I'm not talking about how music artists used to sing about love because that's another topic. I'm simply speaking about the women who have been objectified in videos over the years and their roles.
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO:
Some NON-URBAN publications have commented wondering about JLo's purpose with the video:
What’s weird is that during the verse contributed by rapper French Montana, all the tropes Lopez set out to mock come right back. The part where he stands there (fully dressed, unlike the speedo dudes) while Lopez struts around him in short shorts is one thing; it’s her video, she’s choosing what to wear, she’s supporting the featured artist on her track, and presumably she wants to look sexy — so that’s how she does it. It’s a little bit of a strange choice considering the video’s theme, but, sure. - TIME.COM
People could argue that Lopez is trying to prove their point by showing just how ridiculous the scene is, no matter who is prancing and who is drooling. But is it a point that needs proving?
And just who is Jennifer Lopez to pick up the torch and run with it? Her brand of celebrity is based just as much, if not more, on looks than talent. - NJ.COM (True Jersey)
In a way, I feel that this video does a lot to show that some people are aware of how mainstream this style has become. In urban music especially, (because I'm definitely not saying it's all on the urban side) rappers are always singing about the easy woman who he can have his way with. It used to be more about a variety of things - his girl and maybe his life with her, someone he was interested in, the girls he partied with or slept with, but NOW...it's mostly about the woman being an object he can stick and move with.
My biggest issue would be the lack of variety. Our mainstream is ONLY THIS. There's no true variation with the male artists. You have most men at this point making women no more than body counts which reflects quite a bit on our actual statistics of baby daddies to husbands ratio within our community. I'm not saying music should be responsible for instilling values, but many people are influenced easily by it because a lot of parents aren't stepping up to direct them. And I just believe that.
BUT! LET'S LOOK AT ANOTHER SIDE TO THIS, BECAUSE I FEEL THIS VIDEO DOWN HERE TOO. SHOUT OUT TO BUZZFEED - this thing had me ROLLIN'!!!!
I do feel in some ways, it's hard to reverse the roles of men and women completely when it comes to these things but like I said before, I wouldn't speak on it so hard if it wasn't for the music imitating so much REAL LIFE out here. It's more than just a song for entertainment. Women in the urban community are often good enough to sleep with, but not good enough to love. Just knowing that alone makes me back up JLo's efforts - even though I do agree coming from her, it's going to be taken with a grain of salt.
MOMENT OF HONESTY: I honestly believe men just don't give a sh*t about any of this though and it's just life. (random relevant thought)
