In her newest feminist anthem “SOCIETY OF MEN,” Zaryah bluntly confronts misogyny and sexism in culture. She touches on the ways in which this mindset and subsequent behavior can negatively impact women, referring to slut shaming, the perceived power dynamic, and its detrimental impact on self-worth, going so far as to allude to rape culture as well. Although the matters discussed are dark by nature, Zaryah uses them within her platform to show other women that they do not need to make themselves smaller to please men–and to explicitly show men that they cannot control her.
The song is intense from the beginning, opening with a monologue defining what a real man isn’t (i.e. “real men don’t insult and threaten women”). This challenge to toxic masculinity is not only attention grabbing but is also an important statement: that real men respect women and treat them as legitimate equals. The production greatly aids the song’s message, further conveying the importance of the matter while remaining cinematic, sultry, and undeniably powerful. Zaryah directly calls out toxic male behavior in lines mimicking a misogynist mindset such as “good girls sit back and keep quiet/unless we’re in your bed” and “give a little too much/now you’re just a whore.” While this alone is angering, she uses her lyricism to stand up to such men and empower other women as well. She states that she cannot be owned or controlled and that she “do[esn’t] need to be ashamed,” tying it all together with the titular line “I don’t want to live in a society of men.”
Born in Luxembourg, the 25-year-old singer/songwriter captures listeners with her sensual and unapologetic artistry. She strives to be entirely and bluntly honest in her music, choosing to leave her thoughts and daydreams unfiltered when translating them to lyrics. She describes her focus within her craft by stating that “'[She’s] never been afraid to speak [her] mind on topics that should be talked about more. Doing so by making music has allowed [her] to not only empower [her]self but also make other women feel understood in [the] struggles [they] go through living in a society that is mostly ruled by men.” From a young age she was fascinated by the idea of creating an alternate world through art and subsequently immersed herself into various forms of self-expression such as burlesque, theatre, fashion, dance, and singing. She’s deeply inspired by classic Hollywood icons as well, which eventually inspired her to move to Los Angeles. Her aim within her songs and live performances is to create a space where audiences can escape into an exhilarating daydream. Further pursuing her goal of female empowerment, Zaryah’s latest project “what u want is mine” (boasting over 7 million streams thus far) focuses on celebrating the parts of women society has shamed and tried to hide.
Written By Adelae Norwood
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