The contemporary popular music industry's ideologies are fuel to constant debate. One of the most talked of discrepancies is over the belief that there is a lack of equitable standards for both genders within the industry. Female artists are constantly depicted in a way that many deem inappropriate, with women being accused of flaunting femininity and sexuality to the extent that it is damaging society's perception of women, whilst men are rarely portrayed as sex objects.

Music videos are an integral element of any popular music release and many producers push the boundaries of genius to create appeal. The 'Gorillaz' music videos for instance drop the record of convention smashing it into a million pieces, and then reassemble the broken down pieces into what many people believe is a more aesthetically pleasing form, creating new concept. Who would have thought that animated primates would revolutionise the music industry? Why then do people feel the need to partake in the incessant releasing of music videos that many believe transmit, promote and perpetuate a negative view towards women? The notion of sex sells is more of a philosophy to some music moguls and has been a debate since 'Girls On Film' by 'Duran Duran' was banned on MTV in 1981, the same year that MTV was born. The video was considered to display too much flesh, and was banned from the BBC for the reason of excessive nudity.

Are these people that label a music video as being in bad taste representing a prudish minority amongst society? Or are there deep founded concerns over this type of representation justifiable? Young girls and boys are impressionable; society and upbringing influences their beliefs and opinions. Therefore pop icons are not merely musical artists, but role models to an emerging generation. Whilst an artist may feel they are promoting themselves as being strong, independent women by sustaining a successful career within a male dominated field, others see the artists as blatantly disregarding the fundamental principles in which they feel they are championing. Some believe that by lessening themselves by being overtly sexual and in some cases appearing subservient to men this will shape a persons belief of how a woman should act, or should be treated, rendering them far from 'independent'.

We are living in more liberal times but a line does need to be chalked separating non-effectual 'good taste' and 'bad taste' that may influence and effect people's perceptions of women. The hip hop genre is at the forefront of peoples concerns and leaves the gate wide open for people to criticise what many deem is becoming a genre predominantly concerned with objectifying women. The music culture has long been the voice-piece of black people allowing artists to become activists and entrepreneurs. It has empowered many African-Americans through the use of an artistically valid form of expression. With the hip hop genre though has come what some consider a means for incessant, derogative representations of women to be injected into the public domain via visual images and lyrical content. The belief is that negative representations of women have now been internalised and embedded into the psyches of society over time making people believe that this type of representation and treatment of women is acceptable.

The reality is that music videos and lyrics are a small slice of an entertainment industry that use the notion of sex sells to create a buzz about their products and services. Advertisements utilise women's bodies to sell products with a high proportion of them depicting women in scantily clad clothing. Even the computer games industry has been influenced by the notion, creating female characters wearing tight, revealing clothing, with large breasts and distortedly small waists, like 'Lara Croft' from the 'Tomb Raider' series. The video game 'Grand Theft Auto' even allows the player to clobber prostitutes with a baseball bat. Not one industry can be accountable for the problem of sexual female representation, but the music industry is still very much the populist industry for debate to be formed around.

What can be done about the issue? One thing is for sure; the music industry will not be affected by protests over decency and what is deemed 'proper'. The only way to change trends is to promote self-regulation amongst artists. Each individual can remember there own internalised sexual ideology and a change in attitude may influence the music industry's collective conscience. This is easier said than done, but hopefully change can empower women without sexual representation being the reason for success.