Is your image worth the price?
I was watching the “Anaconda” video by Nicki Minaj the other day, and I was thinking she was a 2014 contestant of the swan TV show. From wigs or weaves or whatever hair hat she’s wearing, to the nose job and the breast job. Then there are the tattoos and the shit load of makeup. Then there is the infamous hydro gel ass. So I’m thinking, who is she trying to impress with all of this? It’s not women because most women like her for her style and music. Thirsty dudes and broke dudes go hand in hand, so they may wanna fuck her and then, download or bootleg her shit; so it isn’t them. Maybe she’s just another over sexualized black woman, doing anything to please the music executives (like many black female entertainers in the past). Either way, this buffoon is paid handsomely and loved for her “music”. This topic resonates with all of us as well; how much money do you invest in maintaining your image?
I know with women maintaining themselves (hair, makeup, nail etc.) can be expensive. A lot of women do that to feel good about their self firstly, and then, they do it to impress other women. And lastly, to impress guys (most men don’t notice little details when they first meet a woman). With guys, it’s a little different. A lot of guys will do almost anything to market their image to stand out to women. Like making more money, getting a better body or tattoos, or even buying a new car or house. It’s all about power or showing our male dominance. I remember buying a lot of clothes because it was in style or buying cars that were bad investment. But you live and you learn. Furthermore, this affects everyone; we all are seduced by the media.
They pump millions into car commercials like Lexus (the glorified Camry). They associate power, prestige, and sentiments to cars, clothes, etc…I know someone who has very expensive clothes, $100 jeans amongst other things. But his spirit seems a little off, and he doesn’t seem like he carries himself like a winner. So, some people probably view him as a quiet, insecure dude in expensive jeans. Then I know others, with no name brand clothes, and they’re pulling women like no tomorrow. But I don’t fault people for thinking clothes will give them social status. A lot of people don’t know that the high end clothes are coming off the same plane as the no name brand clothes. I know other people who have very high-end cars (that they clearly can’t afford), and they’re working two jobs to maintain their lifestyle, while the same prized car sits in the parking lots for around 22 hours a day, between their jobs and sleep.
Celebrities get more free clothing and material things more than anyone else. Because these companies know that they’re selling the image first, then the “quality” of clothing. But we buy whatever is relevant, whether it’s a $700 phone (on a vampire contract) or a car on a 4-5 year term. Some of us even max out our credit card, thinking what we bought will make us happy. But I’m not mad at anyone’s choices, companies invest millions to work on our psyche so we buy their overpriced items, and our peers and families pressure us as well. The ironic thing is, when you die, people remember you for your character or positive memories. You don’t hear eulogies based on “Dave’s Bugatti”, so your material things become someone else’s burden or asset. How I see it is if you’re confident, socially adept, well-groomed, and your clothes are clean, matching, and fit you, that bonds better than any material thing. So, next time you’re buying that expensive purse, or that sleeve tattoo or that overpriced car, remember that your character and how you carry yourself lasts longer than any trend or overpriced material item.