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Boys v. Girls : Sex in the Music Industry || Keri Hilson “The Way You Love Me” [VIDEO] vs. Raheem Devaughn “She’s Single” [VIDEO]

December 1, 2010By Bobby PenEditorial, Music

So, my followers and I have been having a very interesting discussion (either explicitly or implied) about Keri Hilson‘s latest video for “The Way You Love Me.”

Most tweets were disappointed by how provocative the video is. For the most part, I don’t see too much wrong with it. It’s how most Pop&B music videos are these days– half-dressed women gyrating to the beat. There is one scene, however, that is a direct shot of her “Na Na.” Cookie all on the screen.

I would have liked to believe Keri is above this. She has presented herself in a relatively positive light for the past two years. Aside from her video for “Energy,” she’s been fully dressed and very classy in most of her apperances, and I liked that about her. She stood out in this day of women begging for attention (by any means necessary,) and I think that is important as a role model.
Which, once you’re in the spotlight, you become whether your intention or not.

The lyrics are extremely explicit, and the polar opposite of “lady-like.” I can’t believe she even recorded this track as a songwriter. She could have gotten the same message across in a more clever way. But when you’re desperate to make those sells, and your biggest competition is an on-again off-again bi-sexual Barbie Monster freak, you will say some silly things. I tweeted this sentiment and got feedback agreeing from several followers– male and female. One even said jokingly, “Even I think Keri went too far!! And that’s sayin a lot if my vulgar ass is offended.”

Today, DC’s own Radio Rah (Raheem Devaughn) released a video for “She’s Single” from his newest mixtape Jackin’ 4 Beats. I went crazy when I saw it! I love it, and a few of my girlfriends do too. It’s just sensual enough. The lyrics get the point across with out being overly explicit. If this song were to play on the radio, the only censoring would be for suggestive terms used as context clues, not profanity. I will admit, the video is soft core porn at its finest; it was so “bad” that YouTube actually removed it from the site. But if for no other reason, this video is “acceptable,” because he is a man. Men get away with things a little more. It’s unfair, but is being publicly raunchy and super-sexed really something a “lady” should want to compete with a man to be? I would reply in the negative. But the question has been asked:

Why is Raheem Devaughn’s considered sexy, but Keri Hilson’s video is “too much?”

I gave you my thoughts, but how do you feel?
Is there a difference?
Is Keri’s video, in fact, more acceptable than Raheem’s?
Are they both out of line?

Talk to me,
Thanks for reading.

ps. Click the link to download Jackin’ 4 Beats.

Peace, Love, Create
~BobbyPen.