When You're Growing Down Instead of Growing Up

Those who bemoan the state of popular music, rejoice! I come this holiday bearing gifts.

Meet Janelle Monáe, urban rock star. The title of this post was pulled from her lyrics. Monáe is an adorable pint-sized firecracker hell-bent on saving the world, one concept EP at a time. Simultaneously channeling Prince and Buddy Holly with all the natural grace of a ‘40s-era jazz chanteuse, Monáe is a true original. Her music evokes the sweat and grit of good rock and soul, and live, she is something to behold (so I’ve heard). Approved by both halves of OutKast, Monáe is an icon in the making. Understandably, her distinct look and sound could be lost on the Rihanna-addled* masses, but there’s still Alice Smith.


Smith, has self-penned radio-ready grooves, sultry ballads, and an unbelievable range that is even more impressive live. Even with a Grammy nomination under her belt, Smith, like Monáe, is without the following that she so deserves. She is gorgeous in not only a universal way, but also in the way that America likes its black folk: slender and light-skinned. Not to devalue Smith’s artistry or beauty, but honestly, what more could the record industry ask for in a marketable black singer?

YouTube sensation Esmee Denters, a chirpy Scandinavian teenager, was recently signed to Justin Timberlake’s Tennman label because of her ability to sing Beyoncé and Luther Vandross covers in front of her webcam. Thanks to the publicity her record deal generated, not to mention the stamp of approval from Oprah, Denters’ debut album has a guaranteed audience. She is talented, I guess, but something about her come-up just doesn’t feel right, especially considering the Amy Winehouse-Sharon Jones fiasco of 2007 and the struggling state of many a talented black musician of moderate renown.

What does it all add up to? I don’t really know. One could blame the aforementioned masses, but that wouldn’t be totally fair. They only take what they’re being pushed by the hype machine. And if the hype machine is only supporting the Timberlakes, Thickes, and Fergies of the world, whose records do you suspect the public will buy? One could also get mad at Oprah* for not featuring more new black musicians on her show, but, um, what else is new? It’s all a manifestation of what is fundamentally wrong with our society, I suppose.

Today, we are all supposed to reflect on Dr. King’s dreams and take stock of how far we have come or how short we have fallen in realizing them. Many people I know are just glad to have a day off from school or work. Obviously, some very long strides have been taken toward racial equality, if that’s even an attainable goal, but using solely the state of popular music as a barometer, America still has a long way to go.

Little black boys and girls have been making nice with little white boys and girls for years (see: Alicia Keys, Halle Berry, Sally Hemmings, common affection for Kanye West and Justin Timberlake), but that’s not the point, nor is it enough. Though the days of slavery, lynching, and being blasted with water hoses are in the past, life's still not easy for black people, nor for our Latino, Asian, Native American and Middle Eastern/ Arab/ Muslim friends. Institutional racism feels as prevalent as ever. Evident in all media and in the hearts and minds of all Americans, probably more often than they realize, it is obviously not disappearing anytime soon. Again, racial inequality, sexism, and homophobia in the entertainment business is nothing new, but today has me thinking about it more than usual.

Why are artists like Monáe and Smith hustling to gain sizable audiences when Brooke fucking Hogan can wear assless denim chaps and get decent airplay? When will we take up for the LGBT community (yes, Dr. King was down for that cause, too), finally allowing 50% of hip-hop and Hollywood to come out? Wendy Williams and I want to know. Why is the gifted, but coked-out Amy Winehouse favored over Sharon Jones, who is both divinely talented and consistently sober? When will there be enough love to go around for everyone who rightfully deserves it, regardless of color?

Will I still be alive then?

*I like Rihanna, but she ain’t no Janelle Monáe.
*I love Oprah, but sometimes she makes it so damn hard.

Posted by: Brittany, who is officially off her soapbox for the day.

Photos courtesy of I don't know, but obviously, I didn't take 'em.