Interview with Kemi Sequoia
Aspiring Naija Rapper
Marlyn (Me): Hi Kemi, I'm here today to interview you about sexuality in music videos. Since this is your field, I felt you would have important feedback. Describe the music you write.
Kemi Sokoya: Well, you know the music I write is to inspire all the young independent females.
Me: Have you been featured in a music video?
Kemi: Yes I have been. For my friends back home, up and coming rappers.
Me: How were you dressed in this video?
Kemi: I was styled by my designer Angela, nothing too skimpy.
Me: Funny you say, I wanted to have this interview with you because I wanted to see what you thought about the way women are portrayed in music videos.
Kemi: I'll begin by saying that if I make it I refuse to degrade myself in my videos. My music will be good no matter what and I refuse to let the amount of clothes I wear dictate that.
Me: That's something you will have to work against, the whole using your sexuality to make yourself heard. You ever wondered why other female artists become open to looking more like video vixens in their videos rather than the artist?
Kemi: I feel like a lot of people specially people in the music industry are sucked into the "money, clothes, car and hoes" appeal of it all. They know how the audience reacts to certain things they see, so they feed that. It sounds so cliche and I'm sure you're tired of hearing it but sex sells. Whether it's a commercial, music video, ad for a new perfume... that woman barely wearing clothes made the appeal of the product bigger.
Me: I agree. I feel like even when female artists begin as rebels, doing their own thing in videos, they still end up conforming to all the sexuality in their videos. Do you think that aspect of videos is controlled by men?
Kemi: Yes and no. Yes because besides viewers, women want to impress men. We want to look good, we want to look better than Jane, Julie & Samantha. It becomes a competition for male attention. Then I say no because female artists do not have to settle for looking sexually needy or thirsty for anyone's attention. The music should be enough to get your viewers & fans.
Me: A lot of interesting points. Thank you so much for your time & I wish you the best.
Kemi: Thank you. Same to you pretty.
Kemi: I'll begin by saying that if I make it I refuse to degrade myself in my videos. My music will be good no matter what and I refuse to let the amount of clothes I wear dictate that.
Me: That's something you will have to work against, the whole using your sexuality to make yourself heard. You ever wondered why other female artists become open to looking more like video vixens in their videos rather than the artist?
Kemi: I feel like a lot of people specially people in the music industry are sucked into the "money, clothes, car and hoes" appeal of it all. They know how the audience reacts to certain things they see, so they feed that. It sounds so cliche and I'm sure you're tired of hearing it but sex sells. Whether it's a commercial, music video, ad for a new perfume... that woman barely wearing clothes made the appeal of the product bigger.
Me: I agree. I feel like even when female artists begin as rebels, doing their own thing in videos, they still end up conforming to all the sexuality in their videos. Do you think that aspect of videos is controlled by men?
Kemi: Yes and no. Yes because besides viewers, women want to impress men. We want to look good, we want to look better than Jane, Julie & Samantha. It becomes a competition for male attention. Then I say no because female artists do not have to settle for looking sexually needy or thirsty for anyone's attention. The music should be enough to get your viewers & fans.
Me: A lot of interesting points. Thank you so much for your time & I wish you the best.
Kemi: Thank you. Same to you pretty.
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