MTV Crits!

2016–2017


Hosted by artist Jenna Crowder and writer Nadia Prupis, MTV CRITS! screens the most iconic, pervasive, controversial, and popular contemporary music videos to generate a critical discussion of music, art, film, and theory through a socio-feminist lens. We screen a handful of videos per episode, inviting a lively, collaborative discussion of how we perceive and respond to music videos and consider their relevance in the broader shifting technological scene.

Jenna and Nadia are friends who often find themselves in hot debates on music videos, memes, and television around a laptop. After attending a (semi-critical) screening of Beyonce's Lemonade and getting into a rabbit hole of the merits and demerits of Macklemore's (public musical) existence, they decided to embark on an experimental live vodcast to bring in other critical voices for conversation.


Episode 1: Portrayals of Women's Sexuality in Pop
July 26, 2016 at Institute for American Art


Miley Cyrus: Wrecking Ball
Nicki Minaj feat. Beyoncé: Feeling Myself
Peaches: Rub
Rihanna: Bitch Better Have My Money
Britney Spears: I'm A Slave 4 U
Taylor Swift: Blank Space

reading list and spotify playlist for Episode 1




Episode 2: Representation & Appropriation
August 11, 2016 at Institute for American Art


Macklemore: Dance Off
Gwen Stefani: Harajuku Girls
MIA: Borders
FKA Twigs: Glass and Patron
Miley Cyrus: We Can't Stop

reading list and spotify playlist for Episode 2


Episode 3: Beyoncé
August 25, 2016 at Institute for American Art


Irreplaceable (2006)
Countdown (2011)
Flawless (2013)
Lemonade (2016)

reading list and spotify playlist for Episode 3





Episode 4: Gender
July 7, 2017 at Étaín Boutique, moderated by Julien Langevin + Terrence Wolfe


Grace Jones: Corporate Cannibal
Double Duchess: Good Girl Freak Out
Jenny Lewis: Just One of the Guys
Mykki Blanco: Coke White, Starlight

reading list and spotify playlist for Episode 4




Episode 5: Aaliyah
August 22, 2017 at The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box


If Your Girl Only Knew (1996)
One In A Million (1996)
Are You That Somebody (1998)
Try Again (2000)

reading list for Episode 5




Episode 6: Witches
September 30, 2017 at Étaín Boutique as part of Waking Windows


Stevie Nicks: Gypsy
Beyoncé: Formation
Princess Nokia: Brujas

reading list for Episode 6