Congratulations to Tori M. Vilches, recipient of the 2024 SMT Annual Meeting Student Presentation Award!
Award-Winning Paper:
“’Sex Sells’: A Decolonial Analysis of Purplewashing and Sexual Narrative in the Women of Reggaetón”
In her paper, Tori examines the intersection of gender, sexuality, and socio-cultural power dynamics in reggaetón. While artists like Karol G and Young Miko seemingly empower narratives of sexual freedom, Tori’s research reveals how these performances can perpetuate misogynistic stereotypes and hyper-sexualization under the guise of feminist commentary. Using a decolonial lens, she explores how colonial values of capitalism and patriarchal power influence the genre, dissecting the dichotomy between sex-positive self-empowerment and purplewashing for financial gain.
This study contributes critical insights to the discourse surrounding reggaetón, popular culture, and the commodification of women’s bodies, positioning Tori’s work at the forefront of contemporary music theory scholarship.
About Tori M. Vilches
Originally from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Tori is a Ph.D. student in music theory at Indiana University. She earned her B.M. in Vocal Performance from Tarleton State University (2020) and an M.M. in Music Theory from Texas Christian University (2022). Her research interests lie at the intersection of music theory, race, gender, and culture, with a particular focus on pop music analysis and diversifying gender representation in music theory pedagogy. Tori’s scholarship has been recognized at both graduate and professional conferences, demonstrating her commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry and advocacy for inclusivity in music theory.
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