By Elizabeth Newby, Columnist
There are few things in pop culture that make me really uncomfortable. Usually I can formulate some sort of joke opinion and pick a side, but sometimes the subject matter is too serious even for me to poke fun at.
This happens to be the case with Chris Brown and Rihanna. Before everything sort of hit the fan, I was really indifferent to their careers.
Honestly, Rihanna’s songs kind of annoyed me, but Chris Brown had some Usher vibes I could get behind.
At that point, though, they were mediocre entertainers. They were somewhat bubble gum, made generic pop music you could dance to, and were in a cutesy relationship perfect for the cover of Tiger Beat.
Then pictures of a battered Rihanna were released to the public, stories and rumors were formulated overnight and everything exploded.
Ironically, both stars bounced back in a similar fashion. For me, this is where the story evolves from sort of sad and disgusting to a progressive self-critique on sexuality in pop culture that’s ridiculously interesting.
Rihanna doesn’t come out with some sappy, Sarah McLachlan-style ballad about her tortured relationship. She hasn’t become the face of some public service announcement for battered women. Her image has become edgier since the altercation with sexually dominant themes, releasing an album every year.
A favorite of mine is the single “S&M” from the album Loud. The lyrics, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me,” reverse her position as the oppressed. The song is overtly self-aware, reclaiming negative actions with a sexually positive image.
Chris Brown also became edgier, only as a way to salvage his image. He had to become the bad boy when his career as the clean-cut All-American went down the toilet. Somehow this move was successful and he is yet again dominating the radio waves.
The two recently collaborated on a remix of Rihanna’s song “Cake,” and I’m not sure how to feel about it.
I don’t really think there should be redemption for Chris Brown. I’m actually really upset that he released “Look At Me Now,” the crunkest song featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, and I have no choice but to like it.
Rumors have surfaced on Twitter of a homosexual relationship between Chris Brown and a songwriter in the R&B industry last week. There also are rumors that Chris Brown and Rihanna have hooked up secretly for more than a year, claiming Rihanna likes to live dangerously.
Their relationship has become a paradox that represents progress and regression in our society. While Rihanna’s mainstream success is extremely progressive, the ability for the public to ignore Chris Brown’s past is a little frightening.
Leave a Reply