From the seemingly everlasting Eras Tour to Brat Summer, women have been dominating pop and pop-culture in 2024. The Sept. 11 VMA’s further proved this fact, with female artists topping awards and nominations.
Some notable moments from the night include Taylor Swift taking home Artist of The Year, in which she is the only person to have ever won it twice in a row. Swift won a whopping seven awards in total. Sabrina Carpenter won Song of the Year with her summer hit “Espresso,” and rising icon Chappell Roan won Best New Artist. Though many were rightfully celebrated, it doesn’t take the VMAs to know that 2024 was a big year for women.
For starters, many have hailed 2024 as a revitalizing year for ‘fun pop’, and women have been at the forefront of this resurgence. Artists like Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, and Sabrina Carpenter, who have had record-breaking success this year, are leading this wave with their vibrant contributions to the genre. This success is not just contributed to luck, there are many reasons why these artists have been able to flourish.
One aspect is the music itself, which like forementioned, brings a refreshing vibe to pop music. Throwback synths, witty lyrics, and interesting compositions bring a flare that people felt were missing in years past.
Parvini Narasletti, Briar Woods sophomore and Taylor Swift fan, also mentioned how artists like Swift’s storytelling played a big role in making her music compelling, saying, “It gives me a sense of nostalgia. She creates a memorable experience.”
Additionally, artists like Chappell Roan and Charli xcx have built a strong concept around their albums which heavily play into the virality factor. Charli xcx’s strong branding of her “brat” album made it so it was associated with more than just music, but a message of personal expression. This birthed the phrase, “I’m having a brat summer” which refers to embracing chaos and being free-spirited. Another example is Chapell Roan’s elaborate costumes and makeup, which give her a strong identity that uplifts her music.
Platforms like TikTok have also had a big hand in making these songs reach peak popularity. Fans have associated artists’ music with specific trends that ultimately boost streams. Over 2.7 million videos use Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” and Charli xcx and Taylor Swifts’ songs reach similar numbers.
“I think it’s important to recognize these artists’ success. People want to see women’s stories be taken seriously. They have a lot of authentic emotional experiences that many fans relate to, but a lot of the time it’s disregarded as too girly,” Ms. Crumpler, Briar Woods women’s studies teacher explained.
