Between Empowerment and Objectification: Female Bikutsi Artists and the Representation of Women in some Cameroonian Female Popular Music”

The representation of women in popular music has long been a subject
of debate, especially in genres where female artists simultaneously
challenge and reinforce gender norms. While Bikutsi, a genre rooted in
the cultural traditions of the Beti people of Cameroon, has historically
been a space for female expression and empowerment, it has also been
criticised for perpetuating the objectification and sexualization of women.
Female artists navigate a complex terrain where women are depicted in
multiple and often contradictory ways, ranging from empowered and
assertive figures to objectified and commodified subjects. Through an
analysis of the lyrics and performances of prominent female Bikutsi
artists such as K-Tino, Lady Ponce, and Mani Bella, this paper explores
the tensions between empowerment and objectification. These artists
challenge patriarchal norms by asserting female desire, financial
independence and agency, while on the other hand, they often reproduce
hyper sexualized imagery and lyrics that align with male fantasies,
raising questions about whether their artistic choices reinforce or subvert
traditional gender norms. Drawing on objectification theory, postfeminist
perspectives and Africana Womanism, this paper argues that female
Bikutsi artists navigate a complex space where empowerment and
objectification are not mutually exclusive but deeply intertwined. This
study highlights the need for a better understanding of how women in
popular music negotiate agency within commercial and cultural
constraints.

Keywords: Empowerment, Objectification, Representation and Bikutsi