Gender-Bending Moments in Music

Janelle Monáe, Prince and Ciara have all tested tradition.

Janelle Monáe Is a "Q.U.E.E.N." - Janelle Monáe is young, gifted, Black and unapologetic when it comes to her creativity. Her talent has garnered the attention of OutKast, Diddy, and the world. Don't miss Janelle Monáe's tonight on 106 performing a special track from the Rio 2 soundtrack. (Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

1 / 11

Gender-Bending Moments in Music - Electric Lady Janelle Monáe may be a Q.U.E.E.N. at heart, but her image is that of an androgynous beauty. Decidedly maintaining a working class uniform that usually comes in the form of black slacks, a black jacket and a white shirt, Monáe honors her father, her mother and her beginnings when she worked as a maid, despite her success in a lavishly expressive medium.She's not the first musical artist to use her visual appearance to send a boundary-pushing message. Check out these other stars who have done some gender-bending in music. (Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

Prince - Though he's known for donning tight pants and blouses, for his 1988 LoveSexy album cover Prince appeared nude, super-imposed on a bed of flowers, posing in a way women have been oft depicted — covering the breasts with one arm and hand — to maintain a sense of modesty in otherwise alluring art.(Photo: Courtesy Paisley Park)

2 / 11

Prince - Though he's known for donning tight pants and blouses, for his 1988 LoveSexy album cover Prince appeared nude, super-imposed on a bed of flowers, posing in a way women have been oft depicted — covering the breasts with one arm and hand — to maintain a sense of modesty in otherwise alluring art.(Photo: Courtesy Paisley Park)

Eminem - Eminem contested manufactured pop music with his song "The Real Slim Shady," and in addition to lyrically calling out Britney Spears, who was the reigning princess of pop at the time, he dressed up like her for the accompanying video.(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)

3 / 11

Eminem - Eminem contested manufactured pop music with his song "The Real Slim Shady," and in addition to lyrically calling out Britney Spears, who was the reigning princess of pop at the time, he dressed up like her for the accompanying video.(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)

Earl Sweatshirt - To promo his forthcoming album, Doris, Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt went topless and put on a bob-cut wig to become Mocha Desire, a woman who is so infatuated with Doris that she wants to translate things for the rapper with her body.(Photo: Courtesy Facebook via Earl the Sweatshirt)

4 / 11

Earl Sweatshirt - To promo his forthcoming album, Doris, Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt went topless and put on a bob-cut wig to become Mocha Desire, a woman who is so infatuated with Doris that she wants to translate things for the rapper with her body.(Photo: Courtesy Facebook via Earl the Sweatshirt)

Mariah Carey - In the midst of her beef with Eminem, Mariah Carey dropped a song called "Obsessed" (in 2009) along with a video in which she played dual roles, as a diva dressed in glam gear and a stan — presumably the rapper — cloaked in a hooded sweatsuit and a beard.(Photo: Courtesy Def Jam)

5 / 11

Mariah Carey - In the midst of her beef with Eminem, Mariah Carey dropped a song called "Obsessed" (in 2009) along with a video in which she played dual roles, as a diva dressed in glam gear and a stan — presumably the rapper — cloaked in a hooded sweatsuit and a beard.(Photo: Courtesy Def Jam)

ADVERTISEMENT
Ciara - For her 2006 "Like a Boy" single off her Ciara: The Evolution album, Ci Ci took the visuals to a literal level when she dressed in various menswear outfits and gave her choreography an extra dose of testosterone.(Photo: Courtesy La Face Records)

6 / 11

Ciara - For her 2006 "Like a Boy" single off her Ciara: The Evolution album, Ci Ci took the visuals to a literal level when she dressed in various menswear outfits and gave her choreography an extra dose of testosterone.(Photo: Courtesy La Face Records)

Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson was inspired by musicals from the '30s and '50s in the visual for her chart-topping hit "Alright." Miss Jackson draped her curves under a male zoot suit in this 1990 visual, set in a throwback New York City neighborhood. The video also features the Nicholas Brothers and one of jazz legend Cab Calloway's last on-screen appearances.(Photo: Courtesy A&M Records)

7 / 11

Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson was inspired by musicals from the '30s and '50s in the visual for her chart-topping hit "Alright." Miss Jackson draped her curves under a male zoot suit in this 1990 visual, set in a throwback New York City neighborhood. The video also features the Nicholas Brothers and one of jazz legend Cab Calloway's last on-screen appearances.(Photo: Courtesy A&M Records)

Cassie - Cassie took a masculine approach to Nicki Minaj's "The Boys" single. With the Young Money Barb by her side, Diddy's rumored lady love rocked sneakers and slicked-back hair to play aggressor to Minaj's fem persona.   (Photo: Courtesy Cash Money)

8 / 11

Cassie - Cassie took a masculine approach to Nicki Minaj's "The Boys" single. With the Young Money Barb by her side, Diddy's rumored lady love rocked sneakers and slicked-back hair to play aggressor to Minaj's fem persona.   (Photo: Courtesy Cash Money)

Tyler, the Creator and L-Boy - Odd Future's Tyler, the Creator and L-Boy threw on tennis skirts and tank tops to impersonate Venus and Serena Williams. The spoof was filmed for their Loiter Squad comedy show and fooled onlookers who showed up believing the tennis stars were on hand.  (Photo: Courtesy Tumblr via bassmotel)

9 / 11

Tyler, the Creator and L-Boy - Odd Future's Tyler, the Creator and L-Boy threw on tennis skirts and tank tops to impersonate Venus and Serena Williams. The spoof was filmed for their Loiter Squad comedy show and fooled onlookers who showed up believing the tennis stars were on hand.  (Photo: Courtesy Tumblr via bassmotel)

Lady Gaga - Lady Gaga is known to push the envelope and in 2011 she up and changed genders. Mother Monster attended the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards dressed as her fictional male alter-ego, Jo Calderone, from her "You and I" video. Gaga said Jo was created to help "shift the world's perspective on what's beautiful."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

10 / 11

Lady Gaga - Lady Gaga is known to push the envelope and in 2011 she up and changed genders. Mother Monster attended the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards dressed as her fictional male alter-ego, Jo Calderone, from her "You and I" video. Gaga said Jo was created to help "shift the world's perspective on what's beautiful."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Grace Jones - Long before Gaga broke out of the gender box, Grace Jones was spearheading the look. Her 1980 Warm Leatherette album cover, shot by boyfriend Jean Paul-Geode, debuted the fiercely androgynous look she became known for. (Photo: Courtesy Island Records)

11 / 11

Grace Jones - Long before Gaga broke out of the gender box, Grace Jones was spearheading the look. Her 1980 Warm Leatherette album cover, shot by boyfriend Jean Paul-Geode, debuted the fiercely androgynous look she became known for. (Photo: Courtesy Island Records)