Edd’s MANtra: Spectacular Delusions
Here at Georgia Mae, we’re all about being open with our readers.
So, with much shame and regret, I must admit that if someone conducted a search of my iPod, they’d find a handful of songs by 3LW.
For those of you who don’t remember these ladies (who are long overdue for a Whatever Happened to…), you might know them better by their more recent incarnation – The Cheetah Girls.
Drama and infighting destroyed the group long ago, but I can still listen to sassy teenagers in between violent Wu-Tang songs and preachy Kirk Franklin songs.
I’m a complex individual.
As I mentioned, the girls have gone their separate ways. With former teammates Naturi Naughton exploring acting (she played Lil Kim in Notorious) and Adrienne Balion running around MTV as a host, I guess Kiely Williams figured she needed to get to work. I’m sure those royalty checks for “No More” aren’t exactly piling up.
Kiely dropped a new video earlier this week for a song called “Spectacular.” The second it dropped, she had the Internet going nuts, as it seemed the song justified date rape.
Click the link to judge for yourself. But here are a few choice lyrics:
Last I remember I was face down
A** up, clothes off, broke off, dozed off
Even though I’m not sure of his name
He could get it again if he wanted
Cause the sex was spectacular
The sex was spectacular
The sex was spectacular
The sex was spectacular
The sex was spectacular
–add assorted moans and groans
She doesn’t seem very bothered by that “rape” to me.
Initially, I was too busy listening to Keith Sweat’s new single to be bothered. But yesterday, Kiely released a statement that caught my eye. She claims that her new song was misinterpreted – she’s simply trying to enlighten us.
Uh huh.
Here’s a snippet of the statement:
I am playing a character in the music video for the song “Spectacular,” as I did in the “Cheetah Girl” movies. The fact is, that sometimes women get intoxicated and have unprotected sex. My video puts this issue front and center. It is absurd to infer or suggest that I am condoning this behavior. Are Lady Gaga and Beyonce advocating murder with the “Telephone” video? Of, course not. Was Rihanna encouraging suicide with “Russian Roulette?” No. Was Madonna suggesting that young unmarried girls get pregnant with “Papa Don’t Preach?” I don’t think so. Is Academy Award winner Monique a proponent of incest because of her portrayal of Mary in the movie “Precious.” Clearly, the answer is no. I wrote “Spectacular” and made the video to bring attention to a serious women’s health and safety issue. Don’t shoot the messenger.
Obviously there was not only heavy drinking going on in the song, but also while writing this statement. Let me break this down:
– Gaga and Beyonce’s goofy video is clearly satire
– Rihanna’s “suicide” song is a metaphor for willingly stepping into a rocky relationship
– Madonna’s song was about keeping a baby against all odds
– Mo’Nique was simply playing a movie villain
– Kiely’s song is about getting drunk and having sex. And bragging about it.
Remember that TLC song “Unpretty?” That song and video brought our attention to women’s image issues. The only thing Spectacular brings to my attention to is Kiely’s stripper dancing and that guy’s bare butt. I did NOT need to see so many shots of that, thank you.
This ain’t rocket science. There are no hidden meanings. This song is about a one night stand. Plain and simple. It’s more or less a musical text message about her wild night that she sent to one of her freaky friends.
I will say that I don’t think she’s condoning date rape. I DO think she’s condoning getting drunk and having sloppy sex with random dudes. At least that’s what I got out of the video – and I have a degree in media. So what do you think her Cheetah Girl fans are gonna get out of it?
This is the woman who broke up her group by having a KFC food fight – obviously she doesn’t put much thought into her actions. As if that crappy song wasn’t evidence enough.
Do you think “Spectacular” has a message, or is it just exploitation?
WOW!! LOL
Why is this a song? WHY????
I was actually prepared to defend her initially. Though the video is a bit questionable, the lyrics don’t seem to condone date rape. Furthermore, while I think it’s dangerous, unhealthy, and stupid to get drunk and have sex with a stranger, if she wants to sing a song about that, she can. I wouldn’t want any little girls (or boys) listening to that mess, but she has a right to sing about her risky romps if she wants. But to claim that this song is actually a warning against irresponsible sexual behavior is a complete lie and I can’t believe she thought people would fall for that. Girl, please.