Breaking Boundaries: Exploring Women's Resistance in XG's Song Lyrics

Abstract

Gender is shaped through societal norms and expectations and can be represented through works of art. Music is one of the works that can reflect and influence cultural views since it began to gain attention all over the world. This study uses a qualitative approach combined with Stuart Hall's theory of representation and Kate Millet's radical feminist perspective, aims to reveal how XG, with the lyrics of the songs “Mascara,” “GRL GVNG,” and “Puppet Show” represent a rejection of traditional gender norms, and the role of Simon Jakops as their producer in producing songs with the theme of women’s resistance. The results of this study show that XG uses an alternative universe to represent the meaning through their lyrics with theme such as such as female solidarity, rejection of male control, leadership takeover, and reversal of sexual objectification stereotypes, shows that women have full right to express their feeling, body, and movement, reversing gender norms that place women as subordinate party. Simon Jakops, as their producer, although not explicitly stating that he is a feminist, provides implicit support through his works.