We have all heard of Kesha's grueling battle over fighting for her rights after sexual assault. If you paid any attention to her court battle, you would know she spent years, refusing to make music under her record label, to prove a point and to gain justice for herself. This year, she came back better than ever with a brand new record called "Rainbow" which includes songs such as "Praying" and "Woman" which are just a couple of the great tracks on this album.
Kesha has used her negative experience surrounding sexual assault, her inability to create new music, and her inner strength to create this album that not only showcases her talent as an artist, but also her strength as a person. Her songs create a sense of empowerment while demonstrating that while something terrible happened to her, she is refusing to let that consume her entire life. Instead, she's embracing herself as a woman and a human being while encouraging others to do the same.
We also have Taylor Swift, who also just wrapped up a sexual assault case in which she received praise for only suing her perpetrator for "the principle of the thing". This was obviously a situation that affected Swift immensely and similarly, she also has released new music this year, with a new album coming out. Taylor's new album includes her already released hits "Look What You Made me Do" and "Ready for it" both featuring a newly pop/grunge Swift.
Taylor used her every changing music taste and her past grudges on various people (there have been various theories that Kanye West is just one of the people she calls out in "Look What You Made me Do") in true Taylor Swift fashion. Gone is the girl who would sing to boys through a window across the street, long for someone she couldn't have etc. "The old Taylor can't come to the phone right now. Why? Cause she's dead."
There is a huge difference between these two women and here's why. Kesha has used her negative experiences in life to create an album that girls and women can be inspired by. Her songs are relatable in that everyone has gone through something that has changed them as a person and they have learned from those situations. Her new album is empowering in that she sings about forgiveness, moving on, and being a badass woman.
On the other hand, we have Taylor Swift, who is seemingly still holding on to grudges that have happened years ago now. Taylor, it's time to move on. Instead of writing songs about moving forward, being a better person, etc. she writes about blaming other people for her actions, for the songs they write about her, etc. She assumes no type of responsibility for anything and just sends the message that her life experiences have caused her to turn into this completely different (and not as nice, friendly, empowered, etc.) person.
While I am not slandering Taylor Swift or comparing her life experiences to Kesha's (because they are vastly different), I am stating that role models should be empowering. They should use their voices to take accountability for what has been done by them but also moving forward from what's been done to them. Kesha's new album does an amazing job of this, while really showcasing her talent because she's no longer singing about getting drunk and waking up in a stranger's house on a weekday morning. Her music has taken on new meaning that can inspire people to rise from their shortcomings.
Taylor, it's time to let go of the past and move forward. We want old Taylor back.
