Female pop stars using ‘faux porn’ to sell records are ‘boring, crass and unoriginal’, a leading music executive said yesterday.
The entertainment industry is too reliant on promoting female singers such as Rihanna with overly sexualised videos, according to record label boss Richard Russell.
His comments reflect growing concern that lewd dance routines, revealing outfits and sexually explicit lyrics in mainstream culture are having a detrimental effect on children.
The entertainment industry is too reliant on promoting female singers such as Rihanna with overly sexualised videos, according to record label boss Richard Russell.
His comments reflect growing concern that lewd dance routines, revealing outfits and sexually explicit lyrics in mainstream culture are having a detrimental effect on children.
Classic style: Adele has become a worldwide phenomenon for her music, without resulting to an overtly sexualised image
Almost 3,000 people complained that raunchy performances in the X Factor final last December by Rihanna and Christina Aguilera were too explicit.
TV watchdog Ofcom faced criticism after it ruled the routines were ‘at the limit’ of acceptability for broadcast before 9pm for a family audience.
Mr Russell, whose label XL represents chart-topper Adele, suggested the 23-year-old could change attitudes because she focuses on music instead of sexuality.
He told the Guardian: ‘The whole message with [Adele] is that it’s just music, it’s just really good music.
Inappropriate attire? Rihanna and Britney Spears dressed in bondage gear while singing S&M at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards last week
Children friendly? Their on stage kiss sparked complaints from The Parents Television Council, who thought it was inappropriate for younger audiences
‘There are no gimmicks, no selling of sexuality … What a great thing, how amazing.’
He said both young girls and music bosses would take note of her success, adding: ‘It’s going to make them rethink what they should be doing.’
Mr Russell admitted the ‘faux porn’ of some artists’ videos left him feeling ‘a bit queasy’. He said: ‘It’s just so boring, crass and unoriginal.’ Rihanna, 23, has faced particularly fierce criticism over the explicit nature of some of her songs and performances.
Her track S&M includes the lyric: ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me.’
Music or image? Adele says that a sexualised image doesn't go with her music, while Rihanna plays up to her feminine prowess
And at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas earlier this month the Bajan singer kissed Britney Spears on stage as the pair performed the song while chained together in bondage gear.
The Parents Television Council said the ‘overtly sexualised performance’, which was broadcast to an audience of millions, was totally unsuitable for children.
Meanwhile, Adele, from Tottenham, North London, has said that ‘even if I had Rihanna’s body, I’d still be making the music I make’, and stressed her records and a sexually suggestive image ‘don’t go together’.
Adele’s second album, 21, spent 11 consecutive weeks at number one in the UK – the most ever by a female solo artist – and also topped the U.S. chart.
The Parents Television Council said the ‘overtly sexualised performance’, which was broadcast to an audience of millions, was totally unsuitable for children.
Meanwhile, Adele, from Tottenham, North London, has said that ‘even if I had Rihanna’s body, I’d still be making the music I make’, and stressed her records and a sexually suggestive image ‘don’t go together’.
Adele’s second album, 21, spent 11 consecutive weeks at number one in the UK – the most ever by a female solo artist – and also topped the U.S. chart.
Shocking: Record executive Richard Russell said he felt 'queasy' over some female music artists today
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