“Flo-Rida” is Mo’ Douchey
We’ve talked about the “Rockstar Leniency Rule” (RLR), in which we grant leeway for successful pop and rock stars to dress in douchesque ways, provided it is part of their performative persona.
Some pop culture examples granted RLR have included Neil Young, Beck, Jack White, Tom Petty, George Clinton, Dave Grohl, Rick James, Chris Robinson, Keith Richards, Jay-Z, the Beasties, vintage-era David Lee Roth (1984), the great Mr. T, bands like KISS, wrestlers in the WWE, etc.
Take Prince, for example. According to the rules, the ‘bag signifiers are rampant. But it’s Prince. It’s part of his theatrical identity, and leads to some kick-ass funk. Therefore Prince is granted RLR, at least based on the visual evidence.
Again, this is not to state that these people can’t earn douche status for real world accomplishments. Only that their visual spectacles tie to their on-stage or performative personas, and are thus considered theatrical, and therefore not douchal.
Recent semi-famous one hit wonder rapper, Flo-Rida? Not granted RLR. Not even close.
Douche.
