Male gaze is a feminist theory that refers to the sexualising and objectifying of women, through the sexual desires and lust of heterosexual men. The concept of male gaze has always been a big part of media culture and the film industry. Women have often played roles catering to the heterosexual male audience, for example, scenes that show bikini-clad women, women being catcalled or slow motion scenes of women’s hips are just a few instances of how women have been sexualised in the media (Levy, 2023). 

This hyper-sexualisation is not specific to film but is also prevalent in the music industry. This male gaze is often showcased within the lyrics of the song or in the music videos. Often men are seen with dozens of women, dancing provocatively and begging for attention. This behavior portrayed in the music videos, show women as hypersexualised beings who “want it” or need to be “tamed” by a man. Many times such scenes in music videos reinforce misogynistic stereotypes by promoting “rape culture” and normalising harassment and eve teasing of women in real life (Noorani, 2017). With songs like Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot in 1992 to recent hits such as Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke, the hyper-sexualisation of women has become mainstream. 

Women musicians have now taken back the narrative to change male gaze in the industry. With experiences about love, heartbreak and body positivity, many female artists have changed the narrative of music that was once created with women at the bottom. Artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B, are changing history by talking about sexual agency and sexuality by removing male gaze from the equation completely (Nagy, 2022). Beyoncé’s “Run The World” is a great example of storytelling through music, of sisterhood, education, independence and the power of women, much different from how women are portrayed in other music videos. 

Such songs rewrite the agency that women have over their bodies and actions, while also reducing the promotion of misogynistic behaviour towards women. Even though the male gaze continues to be a dominant gaze throughout the music industry with videos and lyrics being released that amplify the hyper-sexualisation and objectification of women, many songs, especially by female artists have taken control of the narrative and are keen to change it to one that is free from male gaze and influence. 

By Vanessa Varghese