Billie is the “Queen of Pop” Former Generations Never Had
When I was a kid I grew up watching Michael Jackson’s film “Moonwalker” on videotape. I remember being completely lost in the imagery, the music and the dance moves. The “Speed Demon” scene with Michael and his rabbit twin racing, and the moment when Michael leaned forward on his shoes, as if defying the logics of gravity. It was magical, and I watched the movie over and over. I grew up watching Michael. Throughout the years he showed our generation what true talent is and can be. He had his issues, growing up in a psychologically challenging environment, under the eye of the world, with a hurtful father. He made mistakes. Later it turned out he made more and was more messed up than I ever knew or imagined him to be. So there was his artistic side and his human side. The artist in him I adored, the other side I have grown to dislike. But now we are in 2021, and a few years ago this star has arisen, who, in my humble opinion, has surpassed any level of humanity, realness and talent an artist has ever shown. She grew up in a new generation. With an authenticity former generations were always forbidden to have. Women who showed their artistry in the nineties and zeroes rose to stardom under the watchful and sometimes hurtful eye of older (mostly white) men. But also under the damaging eye of a world that judged, sexualized, belittled. The former, and sometimes still the latter, has not changed. But the mindset, knowledge, reach and consciousness we grow up with has. Billie Eilish is the proof of that. And sure, there are more artists who have the authenticity she has. I admire Kehlani for being real; showing who she is despite prejudice and taboo. Just like Cardi B does that in her own way, and Lizzo or — gah — Mahalia. There are so many examples of artists who have grown to stop giving any fucks, or who have never done otherwise. But Billie fascinates me. Together with Finneas, she has done her own thing, always. Writing their own shit, producing it the way they want to, independently. Not bowing to the limited mindset of others. Not giving in to outside pressure. If they had, if Billie had, she could have turned out to be the porcelain Barbie doll society has normalized a Pop idol to be. But she did not. Growing up in a free, accepting household. Always allowed to be the person she was. Never being forced to be someone she was not. Because of that, she can show us what an example an artist can really be, and how powerful an artist can be at changing a century-old conditioned mindset.
Billie is part of a generation that is used to being one click, tap or view away from the rest of the world. Always in sync with the news, the latest, and thus also the stories told by every type of personality and person there is on this planet. No near to extinct tribe is kept hidden from us. Homosexuality, feminism — all waves of it — in all its different colors, ethnicity in all its diversity… every aspect is laid out bare before us. Sure, freedoms can still be limited by a monetized digital wall or algorithms, but nevertheless, the world is within our reach. If politics and money allow it to be within reach. This generation is exposed to all the beauty and all the darkness. Billie grew up knowing and experiencing what it means to be a woman. She grew up surrounded by friends and family with different backgrounds, histories, preferences and interests. In a world that still discriminates, mistreats and fucks up on a daily basis. However, this time everyone knows about it. Billie grew up in a free home, in a free country, with internet and freedoms within reach. With a talent and a creative mind. And that combination — being free and talented — is what provides this generation and future generations with an idol like none before.
Like Michael Jackson, Billie has a talented voice. Just like the King of Pop she has her own unique style, in clothing and in personality. But other than that, she has managed to play the game completely different. She is not two persona’s. Her hair going from blue, to green, to a Marilyn Monroe blond. From baggy clothes to tight corsets. She does not bend under the pressure coming from comments made by some of her 88.3 million followers on Instagram. The “Overheated” singer does not zip her mouth shut, lose weight because she is asked to, wear tighter clothes because that is what society expects from her. She is teaching girls to not care about that. To not be influenced by someone else’s preferences. “Is it news? News to who? That I really look just like the rest of you”, she sings. Billie is telling the world, not just girls, but also boys, binary and non-binary, to be who they want to be. To not bow down to the pressure and to embrace your own intricacies and spirit. I admire her music like I admired Michael, but I admire her as a person like I have never experienced before. An artist can be real. And authentic. And inspiring. This 19-year old woman is changing the game completely, and I am SO here for it.
