What Defines an Image?
In the last few days and weeks singer and rapper, Olivia Rodrigo and Doja Cat respectively, have teased singles and visuals for their upcoming releases. Both of these artists were talked about online and not in the most supportive ways. Both artists are victims of opinionated fans and anti-fans who are either tired, unsupportive, or are left disgruntled about the image of these two – and for very different reasons!
As for Doja Cat, many are left confused as to what her brand even is. Ever since the artist made a drastic change in her appearance, was outed for her relationship, and has made her now more ‘in your face’ music, fans of her rap-pop era feel left behind. To further explain this, we must analyze what has come before and alongside these ‘changes.’ Many newer fans (meaning people who started listening in 2019) have a very different opinion than old fans. Fans of the 2014 EP titled Purrr! Or the 2018 self-titled album Almala think this so-called new approach of an image has always been within the rapper and in fact, Doja Cat is doing more of these actions in the media seemingly more blatant to really drive that fact. Doja Cat quickly became associated with teenage white girls who were quick to be very opinionated of her look of a shaved head and eyebrows. In fact, this demographic gave the artist a possible unwarranted title of one of the ‘pop-princesses’ in music today.
On the other hand, Olivia Rodrigo has been a topic of discussion for the opposite; not changing her image at all. With the release of Vampire and bad idea right? Olivia has been slightly scrutinized for giving the same energy and visuals as her freshman album Sour (2021). In fact, her release of this album still caused a level of online discussion. Many thought this ‘teenage dance in your room’ vibe was overused and not deserving of major successes. Despite this, the album charted amazingly, won several awards, and were heard so much online on some of the same platforms many judged her on.
With this upcoming album, Guts intending to be release on September 8th, many speculate over the fact if Rodrigo will be able to continue to ride on the same wave that brought her successes in the past. Fans are very disappointed in the lack of any differences in the visuals from Guts. In fact, the visuals seem to be in the same exact color scheme. If people were already annoyed with this aesthetic before, why continue it?
This can potentially come from the same ideology in support of Doja Cat; unwarranted titles. Olivia Rodrigo was also given the title of a pop-princess following her release, which she fit quite perfectly due to her age, someone so visually seen in the media. Despite being Filipina, she is a young, fair-skinned, ex-Disney child; The splitting image of some other artists we have seen in the past that have continued the image that was given to them until they were determined of a change such as Selena Gomez or Ariana Grande.
Overall, the most misleading point that online commentators miss, including myself, if that of viewing Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo as art. The artists themselves should not be limited to displaying art only in forms of what they release, but to be able to commit to the art that is within themselves – their own individual brand and self-image. Of course, those things do help aid in the production of what they intend to release, but if listeners analyze the artist as much as the art, a lot of these changes or lack thereof wouldn’t necessarily come at a surprise.
Although this can be a critique of online-fan culture, this isn’t a new phenomenon. The state of the music and entertainment industry has always encouraged the separation of the art from the artists, however in a way where people are to almost disregard the artists completely. To understand brand management, self-images, and quality PR is to analyze the individual. Of course, it is hard to connect with celebrities with millions of followers, which creates the appeal to connect with indie or underground artists. Perhaps that is then left in the court of the music industry: How do we create a space of individualism, personhood, and honest relatability within an artist?
