Research for Music Video: Laura Mulvey's theory

"In a world ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has been split between active/male and passive/female. The determining male gaze projects its fantasy onto the female figure which is styles accordingly" (Laura Mulvey, 1992)

The point Laura is making is females are generally seen as objects  of male desire in music videos.

A perfect example supporting this view is the video above. 'Holiday'- by Dizzee Rascal . This video depicts a  highly sexualised view of women. The video of from the male point of view and the women generally go along with it. Dizzee is the center piece with the women surrounding him which represents male dominance. The women are almost expected to 'get in where they fit in' which they look comfortable with.

There are some artists though who make a conscious attempt to change this mold and go against the grain.

 

In this video, the level of sexuality is far lower than the 'Holiday' video. Both the women and the makes are on an equal level in the video. Missy Elliot's approach is to make the viewer look at her as a whole and not just certain parts of he body. As can be seen first hand by the clothing differences. 

Holiday- Dizzee Rascal

All N My Grill- Missy Elliot