Lana Del Rey always had a somewhat rocky relationship with her reputation in the media. She’s had a rough ride to the top because the tabloids have always been ruthless with the ‘Born To Die’ singer. They have always criticized the message of her music and her live vocals alike.
But if we’re talking takeaways from Lana Del Rey, we should talk about her consistency. While she could have easily backed away or revamped her personality, Lana Del Rey stood true to her characteristics. She maintains and grows her style in music and attaches visuals and themes that define her more concretely as an artist.
When it comes to her albums, they’ve been critiqued for glorifying abuse and the general idea that women are weak-minded and feeble. However, she defended her music and lyrics with the stance that these songs were her catharsis and therapy. They were her ways to express herself authentically, share her experiences, and consequently heal from them.
So what went wrong on the evening of 21st May when Lana released a typed out rant of being critiqued for singing about topics that don’t necessarily empower women in the mainstream sense? Let’s get into it.
So, let’s have a conversation about 4 takeaways from Lana Del Rey’s Instagram rant.
What most fans and non-fans had the biggest problem with were the artists she mentioned in comparison. She took the names of louder, more aggressive, and sexual women. If we’re talking takeaways from Lana Del Rey, this is surely worth a mention.
Create, don’t compare
She is of the opinion that their music is about “ being sexy, wearing no clothes, fucking, cheating, etc.” She then spoke about her stance, saying: “Can I please go back to singing about being embodied, feeling beautiful by being in love even if the relationship is not perfect, or dancing for money — or whatever I want.”
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Now, let’s examine this, shall we? In the Lana Del Rey rant, she conveniently brings up mostly black artists and uses grotesque and demeaning words to describe their music while sugar-coating her own style, calling it “being embodied” and “feeling beautiful.” This double standard gives us a peek into some inherent disgust or hostility that she may have towards these artists, or maybe she was having a rough day.
Bad intentions or not – the wording seems off! And the wording is something you need to pay close attention to when you have millions of fans watching. One of the most helpful takeaways from Lana Del Rey.
Glamorizing abuse – where do we draw the line?
If you’ve heard any of Lana’s songs, you probably know that the messaging is about being submissive, passive, and “delicate” as she calls it. Up to this point, it doesn’t ring any alarms.
But when your music is excessively about letting someone walk all over you, treat you wrong and physically/emotionally abuse you. There is some necessary caution to be taken, especially when your fans are young girls who will internalize your narrative. Which is what makes it one of the most imporant takeaways from Lana Del Rey.
Image source: Flickr
Yes, what we create is meant to be cathartic and healing. But there isn’t any rule that says you have to put it out there if you’ve created something. Music can be used as therapy and left on your computer, just for you.
Her struggles have helped a lot of women know that they’re not alone. But there has to be a growth curve for the people looking up to her. Seeing that she has overcome her destructive patterns helps them learn from it too.
Don’t perpetuate the victim narrative
Lana’s concerns about the more “delicate” woman excluded from the feminist movement are food for thought. However, her comparisons to other powerful women were the leading cause of concern. As she brought their music down with detrimental words, she fails to realize that these women have been through hell to be where they are today.
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Image source: Flickr
Many of these women have faced many trials, tribulations, and criticisms of their own to reach number one. Comparing herself to these women forces a victim narrative on the reader.
As if she has had it worse than them and continues to do so. While it’s understandable that you need contrast for clarity, it also uplifts these other women while presenting your perspective. If we’re talking takeaways from Lana Del Rey, this is worth noting.
She is not as marginalized as she thinks she is
Lana Del Rey’s argument revolves around the fact that she has “paved the way” for artists to talk freely about what they’re going through, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, and Amy Winehouse are some examples of artists who have chosen to express more taboo themes. And they have been heavily critiqued for it.
Image source: Flickr
While noting takeaways from Lana Del Rey, we should note that being a white, straight woman in America indicates that you are in the majority and that more opportunities come your way. But in her post, she writes as though women of her kind have been suppressed in the music industry.
Although the backlash she receives for authentically expressing herself is unnecessary, she doesn’t have enough of it to go on an Instagram rampage that will obviously raise a few eyebrows.
So, reasonable or racist? Where do you stand on this?
The Lana Del Rey rant has taught us a lot but she definitely not be tagged as a racist. Because in her statement that followed, she explains that she is actually good friends with most of these artists. This doesn’t excuse her words, but they were not extreme enough to be interpreted as racist. And reasonable? Well, she’s not the latter either.
The backlash she faces is a cause for concern, but her statement could have been worded in a more empathetic and positive manner to get her message across without hurting the sentiments of many. Another one of the most important takeaways from Lana Del Rey – don’t do that.
When it’s 2020, and you have 16 million followers to hold you accountable, you have to watch your words and your intentions. Fame is a double-edged sword, and Lana Del Rey might be learning that the hard way.