A couple weeks ago at the
68th Grammy Awards, singer and songwriter, Olivia Dean took home the grammy for Best New Artist and even managed to score some awards at the brit awards. After she won, many people (who I presume were unhappy with their own favorites taking home the anticipated awards) took to social media to not only tear apart Olivia Dean's aesthetic, but even overanalyze her album,
The Art of Loving. Many people claimed that she makes music centered for trad wives or even "whitewashed" music. Again, I think a lot of this anger stems from her winning the award, but I believe it's worth to have these discussions of black women in music and the aesthetic they're expected to cater to. Dean is mixed (her father English and her mother of Jamaican and Guyanese descent) and additionally used her platform at the Grammy's stage to uplift immigrants since she's also the granddaughter of immigrants so it's hard to know where the "trad wife" aesthetic comes into play with her music. Combining soul, jazz, and r&b, Dean doesn't allow genre to keep her in a box with her music and doesn't let the genre define her type of music. I also believe that because Dean is a black woman who also exists outside the stereotype society places on black women. People associate softness to whiteness, and seeing this softness exhibited on black women leaves them vulnerable for these comments - to not see the dimension of black women or accept the differences we have within our community is ignorant and limits us. It shows the society still has limiting views and expectations they hold black women to uphold and when they don't, they're labeled as "whitewashed" or even holding white, conservative ideals just because they don't fit the mold.
Wow how you analyzed this was really interesting! I haven't heard of her I believe, but that is really strange. So much is attributed to black women and white women already so when one doesn't fit someone's perceived norm or stereotype then they lash out. It seems no matter what women are just always getting the short end of the stick. Black women also get harassed if they are too soft as well, don't they? There are way too many impossible standards. Good on her though for getting the Grammy and some awards!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, I like how you pointed out the expectations people place on Black women in music and how Olivia Dean doesn’t really fit those stereotypes. It’s interesting to think about how quickly people judge artists when they don’t match what others expect.
ReplyDeleteI love Olivia Dean and her music! I've never thought that she was playing into a trad wife aesthetic but I have seen this discourse online.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! It’s not fair that people call Olivia Dean “whitewashed” just because she doesn’t fit their idea of a Black woman. She makes amazing music, mixes different styles, and uses her platform to celebrate her family and culture.
ReplyDeleteWhile going into the grammy's I didn't know much about her or her music, But I quickly was able to see why she was deserving of the award. Seeing the backlash that stemmed after her deservedly receiving the award was disheartening as she is truly a talented singer that doesn't deserve to be torn down just because she is successful.
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