Music

Hold Up: When Music Treats Softness as a Superpower

“Hold Up” is a nuanced love song in which the female protagonist isn’t begging or asking for love; she’s making a clear and precise declaration. Read more »

Delicate Goods: The Ornamental Objectification of Asian American Women in Pop Culture

Being Gwen Stefani’s add-ons superseded their place as human beings. Read more »

We’ve Apologized to Britney Spears. When Is It Jessica Simpson’s Turn?

With so many of her marital fights and throwaway comments captured, Simpson felt much closer to our reality than other stars. Read more »

Only Here to Sin: Lil Nas X Continues a Tradition of Queer Blasphemy

“Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” unequivocally embraces queerness to the absolute despair of conservative Christians. Read more »

Nobody’s Savior: Jay-Z Can’t Be Our Messiah

Jay-Z cannot deliver us into an era of racial equity. He’s nobody’s savior—not even his own. Read more »

Black Women Are Redefining R&B Music Even If the Grammys Don’t Think So

The neglect of Black women R&B artists is a step in the wrong direction. Read more »

Stripping Point: Nipplegate Exposed Our Deep Fear of Black Women’s Sexuality

Janet Jackson was punished for 9/16 of one second of nudity, while Justin Timberlake rose from her post–Super Bowl ashes. Read more »

“Framing Britney Spears” Is a Portrait of a Pop Star on Fire

Framing Britney Spears is a clear indictment of society’s stigmatization of mental illness. Read more »

#FreeBritney Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

For the disability community, this movement could result in major changes to a system that has been taken at face value. Read more »

BitchTapes: Immigrant Dreaming

Greisa Martínez Rosas outlines some of the songs that have helped guide her ethos as an organizer and a movement leader. Read more »

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