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Abstract
Syber Sider is an interdisciplinary music and storytelling project set in a fictional universe where emotions, identity, and music collide like soda under pressure. The universe is a mirror of youth’s emotional alchemy — a place where soft, sparkly, and non-conforming identities are seen not as flaws, but as powers. Within this world, the subproject "Can’t Boys Be" focuses specifically on the empowerment of feminine boys. Through a series of original songs, visual storytelling, and character-driven content, the project explores the unique struggles they face — from societal policing of gender expression to internalized shame — and reclaims their softness as strength. The music serves as both a soundtrack and a statement, turning vulnerability into something volatile, fizzy, and full of life. The universe is also visually expressed through animated characters and symbolic soda-bottle motifs, blending emotion, aesthetics, and sound. At its core, Syber Sider challenges rigid binaries and encourages young people to embrace their true, strange selves — before they fizz over.
Publication Date
7-1-2025
Campus
New York City Campus
Specialization
Songwriting and Production
Keywords
feminine boys empowerment; gender expression; youth identity; emotional storytelling
Recommended Citation
Jeong, Bryan. “Can't Boys Be.” Master's thesis, Berklee College of Music, 2025. https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-cmat/142.