Female Archetypes in OutKast Songs

• In Event: 2351 - Section on the Sociology of Sex and Gender Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: 7. Gender in Music and Art

Abstract

This study analyzed presentations of women in lyrics of the RIAA certified platinum album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by musical artist Outkast. The study was comprised of each song from this 40 song album released in 2006. The analysis examined verbal depictions of women by Outkast and found that, overall, a description of women I have categorized as ‘Good Girls’ (women viable as long-term domestic partners with positive characteristics) are overrepresented in the lyrics. Interestingly, this finding presents a unique situation of female depiction within a genre that has a reputation for excessively objectifying women and downing playing the value of long term commitment. Popular American music reaches many people in a national and global context and may potentially impact individuals’ views about, and behaviors toward, women. After analyzing lyrics in this album, I designated four categorical groups that capture the artist’s portrayals of women. Then, I accounted for the number of references of each category of women that were presented throughout the album and in each song. My findings demonstrate that despite many instances of traditionally objectifying and demeaning portrayals of women, this album contains more references to women as viable long term partners who exhibit positive characteristics.

Author

• Laura Martinez Livesey, University of Houston