By now most of you have probably heard Megan Trainor’s “All About the Bass“, her wholesome, doo-woppy ode to self-love (or at least, love of bodacious butt.)
Is it annoying and a boring bubblegum retread of all the other songs selling body acceptance for a place on the charts? Can it be argued Trainor’s made only a subpar knockoff of Nicki Minaj’s raunchier reinvention of a show-stoppingly sized ass and curves, suitable for a mainstream audience? Maybe.
But part from discussions of artists’ plagiarism, the usage of nonwhite women’s body types (or actual bodies) as props in music, and the potential bullshit underlying a message people want to buy (“feel sexy and listen to our music because we tell you that you can)” in this latest spate of feel-good media, one small, real bright spot is the revelation of someone like Sione Kelepi.
A “420 pound Polynesian man” from Florida that goes by Sione Maraschino on Vine, Kelepi can be seen showing off his moves in preppy-perfect pastels and cardigan at the opening of Trainor’s video. He first gained viral notoriety for his “Maraschino step” to Kendrick Lamar’s “m.A.A.d City” in an Orlando parking lot. Dozens of imitators were born, attempting to mimic his full body-rotating swirl. On his Instagram and Vine he demonstrates the ability to split, twerk, bridge and shimmy with ease and exacting grace. (Check out what he can do with his hands and upper body in the second half of the Youtube compilation enclosed.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaK-nrR0N5A
Can a mere mortal with obvious talent, a sense of humor and a great attitude make a career out of a Vine and a music video?
I’m not sure; but it’s easy to root for Kelepi. The presence of an unconventional role model from outside the music industry and the usual gender scheme in these cultural snapshots (women speaking to women, affirming them of their own value and reminding both genders of the greatness of big T & A and demonstration of female sexuality) shaking it for all he’s worth speaks at least as loudly as pretty female artists that have been cultivated their whole careers to sell fuckability as currency for self-worth.
Image screencapped by author from Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass”
