Giving into the "Price Tag"

In her hit song "Price Tag" British singer Jessie J lobbies against the materialism that has begun to inhabit the world, claiming "Am I the only one getting tired?" however, many pictures and research shows that the only thing Jessie J is getting tired of is being a hypocrite.  Though her song does stand for a good idea of what we should aim for as a society, it seems unlikely that an entire peoples can follow a person that doesn't even practice what they preach.  Jessie J sings against "shades on your eyes and your heels so high that you can't even have a good time" but the internet can easily provide an array pictures where the singer rocks rowdy shades or shows off platformed heels, like leopard skin, Christian Louboutin booties which she wears in one of the pictures below.  She seems to bounce between what she advocates as her true self in her music while she continues to obtain a "video hoe" image that entertains the materialistic people of the world in real life.  On another blog Jessie J is criticized for the exposure of her panties from underneath her short dress.  Her provocative fashion choice goes against everything she says in her song, reaching out for people to "slow down" and understand that "it's not about the money" while she walks around in outfits that are more revealing than most and wear shoes that are $1,695. Unfortunately, Jessie J validates my argument with her own statement, "I need to stock up on carbs because a bum sells more records."  If Jessie J doesn't care about the money why does she care so much about selling more records?  And if appearances aren't everything then why does she need a bigger bum?  Her failure to even make a good attempt at pretending to follow her own advice completely invalidates her attempt to create a better place where people believe that "money can't buy us happiness."  All Jessie J has done is show fans that it's okay to create a false image as long as it's to succeed.  Sorry Jessie, better luck convincing us next time; maybe then you'll actually support your own argument.

Katy Perry Supporting "Who You Are"

From the beginning of her career Katy Perry has displayed a strong personality for many women, and especially teenage girls, to look up to.  In one of her first hits, "Hot N Cold," Ms. Perry sings about a common male stereotype on why men are unable to make decisions when it comes to relationships.  Her forceful singing and engaging music videos urge her audience to demand a decision.  Why should women wait for men to make up their minds?  Just like in her song “Firework,” Ms. Perry highlights the necessity to be yourself and speak your mind – qualities that tend to pose a challenge among many growing teenagers nowadays.  This generation of human beings face the ultimate challenge when it comes to all politics, definitely not excluding cultural politics.  Katy Perry acts as an advocator of confidence and high self-esteem as she s women, young and older, to be “Pearl[s].”  Her lyrics emanate with pride as she compares women to hurricanes and refers to inner beauty being released like a firework.  Ms. Perry is a powerful woman, and her music aims to inspire and repeatedly encourage others to take advantage of the uniqueness within.  Her synonym for society’s judgmental word, ‘weird’ is ‘beautiful’ as she strives to succeed by enabling women with power around the world.