Since I have not posted on here for some time, I though I'd share some of what I've been working on. This, is a paper that I wrote for my History of Rock and Roll class this previous semester. I hope you enjoy, dear people of the interwebs.
Though it would be incorrect and
unethical to assume that people can or can’t play certain styles of music
because of their gender, it is still important to be aware of gender roles in a
cultural and historical context. For better or worse, funk was a style that was
mainly occupied by males while disco was mainly occupied by females. With the
accepted norms of the times (and some breaking of norms too) combined with the
marketability of sexuality, both of these musical genres found fame.
One potential reason why funk was mainly dominated by males, and disco mainly by females, is because the personalities of the music fit the gender roles of the time. Though it is arguable whether these gender roles are false stereotypes, culturally constructed norms, or simply truths, I will illuminate their correlations to the styles. Funk is generally more edgy, burly, rambunctious, with heavy and rhythmically complex bass lines, and strong rhythmic elements. Many of the lyrics are testosterone driven, such as in “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown; “Good Times” by Chic; “Funky Stuff” by Kool and the Gang; and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)” by Sly and the Family Stone. On the other hand, disco is more flirtatious, suggestive, and flashy, because it was so strongly based on it’s performance elements. Infact, disco first got it’s name in France when clubs (known as “Discothéques”) started to play recorded dance music rather than having live bands perform, which led the style to be embodied by the clubs themselves and the dancers in them. The lyrics of “Good Times” say, “Boys will be boys, better let them have their toys… Girls will be girls, cute pony tails and curls.” It is said that the lyrics are about having good times associated with disco dancing and promiscuity, before AIDs were a prominent topic. Both styles embodied a party-like atmosphere – funk with “street funk” which started a dance craze in Philadelphia and Detroit that spread to rest of the country like a wild fire, and disco with group backup vocals, and celebratory sounds to create a party-like atmosphere.
Another reason why disco was so
dominated by females may have been because it’s application of female sexuality
to entertainment. With disco’s music being more musically simple and more
focused on bringing fun dance music to a wider audience, combined with the
practically universal appeal of female sexuality, it created a pleasurable
media image and therefore a powerful business plan. The use of female sexuality
as an effective commercial element is something that has become more and more
common in today’s popular music and media. 
Though much of the talent of funk and disco were gender-specific, both styles attracted diverse audiences – both funk and disco had an inclusive party-like vibe, and funk especially focused much of their music on bigger social issues. Perhaps disco also had an air of sexual liberation that attracted it to women and homosexuals as well. The idea of most of the music of both styles is about universally having a good time. In “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)” by Sly and the Family Stone, the singer describes finding his individuality and self-security from family in times of racial violence. Their other songs include, “Everyday People” which made fun of racism and bigotry, and “Don’t Call Me Nigger Whitey” which made a more direct statement about the issue. Their band also included two female instramentalists – Cynthia Robinson and Rose “Stone” Stewart – which was a rarity for this style at that time. In “Love Train” by The O’Jays, the singers invite people from all corners of the world to join in love and peace. One of the few exceptions for disco, is Gloria Gaynor, who won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980. She managed to sing about sex and partying (as expected by the style) but also sing about independence and her personal streingth in “I Will Survive.” Disco also became extremely impactful in the gay community when it was popularized in gay nightclubs by the Village People. The group members dressed up as many macho character stereotypes, and some of their songs were relatable to homosexuals, such as “YMCA”, “In the Navy”, and “Macho Man”. Despite the gender segregation of the styles, both funk and disco succeeded in bringing people together regardless of skin color or sexual orientation. This was especially impactful for the time and made a lasting impact on the world of music and culture.
