Gladys Knight to Female Singers: 'There's a Better Way to Present Your Gift'

The music industry has certainly changed for women since Gladys Knight busted through doors in the 1960s and some of those new facets aren't sitting right with the soul singer. While there are many female artists reaping success today, Knight feels that too many of them are turning to sex appeal in order to sell their music. During an interview with MSNBC.com to promote her latest album, Where My Heart Belongs, Knight wanted to let younger singers know that they don't have to succumb to those pressures in order to make it to the top.

"I don't envy them, coming through the industry at this time, because it's a totally different industry. It is money-driven. It is power-driven. They would do anything to get famous," Knight said. "We came through with a moral value, an integrity value and a great love for what we were doing. So it helped us to do the things that we needed to do to be better. We didn't have to be on the cover of every magazine, we didn't have to be doing something dramatic just to get some attention. We let our talents speak for that."

So true. Knight has received countless accolades during her career, including four Grammy Awards, and have we ever seen her strip down to her undies to promote her work? No, but the 70-year-old singer says she sees why they feel "that's the road they have to take in the industry these days."

"But how far will you go with that? That's what saddens my heart. We were taught to dress respectfully for our audiences … did you hear me say dress? Not take it off, put it on. I'm just disappointed with all of that. But there's a way to present your gift…. If you're a singer, make sure you do that," Knight said. "I want my women to stand up."

http://www.bet.com/news/fashion-and-beauty/2014/09/11/gladys-knight-to-female-singers-there-s-a-better-way-to-present-your-gift.html?cid=socialMusicCeleb_20140913_31513636

Adele was a recent exception to the rule...

purplethunder3121 said:

Although female singers might have looked more clean cut back in Gladys' day and before that, it's no big secret that some female singers (and actresses) had to get on the "casting couch" to get a record deal or to get better promotion from the label or to get in clubs to sing by promoters/managers. So it's not really that much of a difference.

I remember in the 90s,Gladys also spoke out against the song "Freak Me" by Silk in an interview,she said "Young kids need more quality music....something more than just "let me lick you up and down".I want to start my own record label,so I can present positive music to world".

MickyDolenz said:

Although female singers might have looked more clean cut back in Gladys' day and before that, it's no big secret that some female singers (and actresses) had to get on the "casting couch" to get a record deal or to get better promotion from the label or to get in clubs to sing by promoters/managers. So it's not really that much of a difference.

And they still are!

SoulAlive said:

I remember in the 90s,Gladys also spoke out against the song "Freak Me" by Silk in an interview,she said "Young kids need more quality music....something more than just "let me lick you up and down".I want to start my own record label,so I can present positive music to world".

I'm glad you brought this up. Even though I like some of those raunchy songs and acts, I love Gladys for this opinion!

Glady has it twisted.

It isn't the artist................it is the record companies.

Can u say................Marth Wash? Look at what happened 2 her career because she was "overweight".

For that matter, who's the last male pop star who didn't trade on sex appeal to a certain extent? Neil Diamond?

Jagar said:

For that matter, who's the last male pop star who didn't trade on sex appeal to a certain extent? Neil Diamond?

Was Luther a "pop" star?

MickyDolenz said:

Although female singers might have looked more clean cut back in Gladys' day and before that, it's no big secret that some female singers (and actresses) had to get on the "casting couch" to get a record deal or to get better promotion from the label or to get in clubs to sing by promoters/managers. So it's not really that much of a difference.

A few men had to get on the "casting couch" to get a job as well.

Cinny said:

SoulAlive said:

I remember in the 90s,Gladys also spoke out against the song "Freak Me" by Silk in an interview,she said "Young kids need more quality music....something more than just "let me lick you up and down".I want to start my own record label,so I can present positive music to world".

I'm glad you brought this up. Even though I like some of those raunchy songs and acts, I love Gladys for this opinion!

I love her,too

The problem with alot of the female artists of today is....sexuality is all they really have to offer.There's no purpose,no message,no deeper meaning to what they're doing.They're just being "nasty" for the sake of being nasty.To me,it's not even shocking or provocative anymore,it's just become boring.

TD3 said:

MickyDolenz said:

Although female singers might have looked more clean cut back in Gladys' day and before that, it's no big secret that some female singers (and actresses) had to get on the "casting couch" to get a record deal or to get better promotion from the label or to get in clubs to sing by promoters/managers. So it's not really that much of a difference.

A few men had to get on the "casting couch" to get a job as well.

I heard a rumor about Larkin Arnold's casting couch!

SoulAlive said:

Cinny said:

I'm glad you brought this up. Even though I like some of those raunchy songs and acts, I love Gladys for this opinion!

I love her,too

The problem with alot of the female artists of today is....sexuality is all they really have to offer.There's no purpose,no message,no deeper meaning to what they're doing.They're just being "nasty" for the sake of being nasty.To me,it's not even shocking or provocative anymore,it's just become boring.

I think it deters and intimidates new female artists with vocal talent.

Why can't someone be sexual and talented at the same time? Why is it either you are vocally talented and have to cover up or you dress or do sexual things and are untalented. Men can be talented and sexual at the same time. Why can't women be seen that way?

She's assuming that the industry is forcing women to be sexual to sell records. But there are women performers who choose to be sexual because that's how they express themselves and because their sexuality is a part of their life.

Sexuality is a part of life and it should be allowed to be written, sung about and portrayed in music. Yes, I know some performers go too far or do in a tasteless way, but I don't think we should go so far in the other direction that sexuality is banned from music either.

I find her opinion very boring and predictable. I"ve heard the same thing from many other artists. I'd like someone to say it's okay for a woman to be sexual as long as you also have other things to say and have talent and no one is forcing you into it.

There is nothing wrong with sexuality being expressed in music or even performances but just as long as it is used in an artistic way. Just as long as their some meaning or depth behind it. It is crazy how people don't care about creativity anymore. Glady's is right. Nice to see some legends really keep it real about today's industry.

amen.....

and I'm sure Gladys has wanted to say this publically for a very long time...

me personally, I believe the industry is finished because I don't say anything evidence it's not

Glindathegood said:

Why can't someone be sexual and talented at the same time? Why is it either you are vocally talented and have to cover up or you dress or do sexual things and are untalented. Men can be talented and sexual at the same time. Why can't women be seen that way?

She's assuming that the industry is forcing women to be sexual to sell records. But there are women performers who choose to be sexual because that's how they express themselves and because their sexuality is a part of their life.

Sexuality is a part of life and it should be allowed to be written, sung about and portrayed in music. Yes, I know some performers go too far or do in a tasteless way, but I don't think we should go so far in the other direction that sexuality is banned from music either.

I find her opinion very boring and predictable. I"ve heard the same thing from many other artists. I'd like someone to say it's okay for a woman to be sexual as long as you also have other things to say and have talent and no one is forcing you into it.

It's just that that's pretty much the whole schtick of many female artists now. "Look at me! I'm sexy! Look at me! Look at me do sexy things because I'm so sexy so look at me!". Even if they have the talent or show potential (Nicki, Miley, and Rihanna immediately come to mind) it is all negated as whatever musical ability they have mostly takes a backseat to the (over)sexualized image they portray; it's a waste more than anything. There's no reason why a woman can't be sexy and talented but many of today's female pop stars don't know how to balance it out (I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt) and as a result they come off more as gimmicks. It's more to do with the labels than the artists themselves but I'm pretty sure a few have a say in what they do (looking at you Beyonce and Rihanna).

Scorp said:

amen.....

and I'm sure Gladys has wanted to say this publically for a very long time...

me personally, I believe the industry is finished because I don't say anything evidence it's not

I think so as well. I am sure there are probably alot of other veteran and legendary artists that feel the same way but don't speak out about it in fear of backlash. You mean to tell me all the industry folk don't have a problem with today's music? C'mon that's b.s. They are talking behind closed doors, they know whatsup.

Glindathegood said:

Men can be talented and sexual at the same time. Why can't women be seen that way?

How many men do you see performing in speedos?? Other than Justin Bieber men usually keep their clothes on.

mjscarousal said:

Scorp said:

amen.....

and I'm sure Gladys has wanted to say this publically for a very long time...

me personally, I believe the industry is finished because I don't say anything evidence it's not

I think so as well. I am sure there are probably alot of other veteran and legendary artists that feel the same way but don't speak out about it in fear of backlash. You mean to tell me all the industry folk don't have a problem with today's music? C'mon that's b.s. They are talking behind closed doors, they know whatsup.

amen...exactly

Away from the music industry, a lot of male actors rely purely on going shirtless when they have very little acting talent. Theer are a few in the music industry, but nowhere near the numbers in Hollywood.

Jagar said:

For that matter, who's the last male pop star who didn't trade on sex appeal to a certain extent? Neil Diamond?

I don't think Phil Collins was considered a sex symbol. You didn't see him on the cover of Tiger Beat like Duran Duran. Billy Ocean & Lionel Richie didn't really sell a sexual image either and they were popular.

mjscarousal said:

MickyDolenz said:

Jagar said:

For that matter, who's the last male pop star who didn't trade on sex appeal to a certain extent? Neil Diamond?

I don't think Phil Collins was considered a sex symbol. You didn't see him on the cover of Tiger Beat like Duran Duran. Billy Ocean & Lionel Richie didn't really sell a sexual image either and they were popular.

True. Where are all those family friendly stars of today (male or female) though? It seems like the 'fun' aspect of pop music is gone and its all about being raunchy and sleazy.

I don't see a Lionel Richie or Phil Collins breaking in todays industry. And that's a real shame.

SoulAlive said:

mjscarousal said:

There is nothing wrong with sexuality being expressed in music or even performances but just as long as it is used in an artistic way. Just as long as their some meaning or depth behind it. It is crazy how people don't care about creativity anymore. Glady's is right. Nice to see some legends really keep it real about today's industry.

I agree! There's nothing wrong with being sexy,or expressing your sexuality.But many of these ladies do it in a cheap,mindless way.They're just doing it strictly for shock value.They're not doing it in a meaningful,artistic way.Rihanna and Beyoncé dress like strippers in their videos,but what's their message?? What are they trying to prove? What point are they trying to make?

Their message to young girls is if you want to be popular, you have to look and act like a prostitute. It's actually quite sad that we are in 2014 and women continue to be more sexualized than ever before. Men in the industry don't have to get almost naked and expose their behinds to make people notice them. Some may take their shirts off or act like idiots, but they don't have to reduce themselves to being slabs of meat or smutty stage antics to make people notice them. I'm not saying it never happens with some male artists. But, generally, it has never been the norm.

Cinny said:

TD3 said:

A few men had to get on the "casting couch" to get a job as well.

I heard a rumor about Larkin Arnold's casting couch!

Oh, c'mon! Don't tease us like that! Do tell!!!

Jagar said:

MickyDolenz said:

I don't think Phil Collins was considered a sex symbol. You didn't see him on the cover of Tiger Beat like Duran Duran. Billy Ocean & Lionel Richie didn't really sell a sexual image either and they were popular.

True. Where are all those family friendly stars of today (male or female) though? It seems like the 'fun' aspect of pop music is gone and its all about being raunchy and sleazy.

I don't see a Lionel Richie or Phil Collins breaking in todays industry. And that's a real shame.

Due to pop music being completely youth-oriented, solely targeting my generation (Gen Y) and younger, appealing only to the lowest common denominator rather than a general audience.