Poetic Since '90: Welcome to Nicole's Blog!

On November 28, 2010, about a weeks ago, Keri Hilson released her 'The Way You F*** Me' video on WorldStarHipHop.com. The single is the 3rd released from her upcoming sophmore album 'No Boys Allowed' (follow-up to her 2009 platinum 'In A Perfect World' debut), scheduled for release on December 21. As soon as the video hit the net, the controversial video was met with shock by bloggers and music fans all over the net. In the video Keri can be seen refering to herself as a "bad b***h", screaming sexually explicit terms (p***y, f**k me, etc), and most suprisingly dressing in underwear and a revealing top dancing in an EXTREMELY sexual way. Most Keri fans and music fans in general were asking "How did Keri go from the classy 'Breaking Point'(first video released from the album) and 'Pretty Girl Rock' videos (second video released for the album) paying homage to women in music such as the Supremes to this?" Many fans claimed she went this route to create a buzz in order to attempt to sell more records. Many people have now labeled her as a "hoe" and "slut" because of the video, some say she lost their respect, and some say they are no longer fans.

Keri's response to the negative views on the video was "It is racy.I can't allow other people or the media to dictate what I can and cannot do," and "I'm talking about one man in a relationship, I'm not talking about being a slut or whore and being paid to do things." Basically she described that it's how women feel, she was being real, and so on. My reaction to the video was shocked, because I never expected a video like this from Keri Hilson. I'll start on a positive note. I will say that Keri is an adult, so she has the right to say and do whatever she wants. It is true that women can relate to the majority of her music. Also, it's not the responsibility of music artists or celebrities in general to be "role models" for the youth.

One thing I disagree with was the way she was dressed half-naked in the video, dancing in a "promiscuous" way, and being sexually explicit with the song lyrics. Keri also refered to the video as "art," but it was definitely not to me, more like "trashy". I also disagree with some of the people commenting on YouTube, blogs, and other sites saying that video and the song was "sexy". A true definition of a sexy but classy video and song would be 'Unthinkable' by Alicia Keys, 'What's My Name?" by Rihanna Feat. Drake, 'Video Phone' by Beyonce Feat. Lady Gaga, and YES even the 'Single' video by Lil' Wayne. If you are a grown you clearly know what the artists are talking about, however the videos and songs are not outrageously explicit like 'The Way You F**k Me' is. The artists and others in the videos are respectably clothed, and the lyrics are clean (well Weezy drops the F bomb several times, but you can't compare the song or videos to Keri's).

Keri could have expressed herself in a more subtle and respectful way that didn't take away from her class. Being half-naked or practically naked in a music video, save it for your bf or husband. Using sexually explicit language telling everything you like to do or have done to you, save if for your bf or husband. All the overally sexual not "sexy" dancing (that was more like movement to be honest), save it for your bf or husband. There is no need to broadcast it to the world trying to claim it as art as a music artist or as a women period. Some have said that it's a double standard, and rappers talk the same way in their videos and are not criticized. First of all they are criticized for "demeaning" and having half-naked video models in their videos sometimes. Secondly, rappers don't dress half-naked in their videos, so that's probably why they aren't called "hoes" and "sluts", only the girls in the videos " video hoes". Many of them do glorify sleeping with multiple women, and I have heard many people (males and females) say negative things about it.

When you look at some of the most famous, and successful business women in our country and even the world like Oprah, Tyra Banks, Raven Symone, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, they all have class. You can't google their name to see them in too many scandals, half-naked music videos, pictures, or other things. You don't have to do those things to be successful, and should maintain a level of privacy. Most people's parents would be disgraced if they saw their daughter, no matter what age, in a video dressing and acting like that. I would never do something like that out of self-respect, and respect for my family. Also, it's one thing to be a certain way behind closed doors, but the public doesn't need to hear or see all your business.

- Nicole

The video...



Her response...




'Breaking Point' Video:



'Pretty Girl Rock' Video: