Music
For thousands of years music has been used as a form of expression. It has evolved into a medium that organizes and influences listeners of all ages and ethnicities to think differently and take action. Hip-hop or rap music is one of thousands of genre of music that is arguably the most influential genres on culture around the world today. Unfortunately, its influence has been more damaging to women then empowering.
Hip-Hop/Rap
Oversexualizes and objectifies women
Projects male dominance
Utilizes degrading lyrics
Music videos are blunt in how female counterparts portray them. The exploitation of a women’s sex appeal presents how men like and view their women. The media then perpetuates these ideals and beliefs by assuring audience that this is what is acceptable of women. Lyrics compound the damage by verbalizing the interests and importance of money, sex, and drugs. The misogyny in Hip-Hop violates the morality and femininity of all women.
Ex: Sir-Mix-A-Lot “Baby Got Back” (music video link here)
Music is transcending and powerful; therefore, Hip-hop is transcending and powerful. All of Hip-hop hasn’t damaged women. In fact, there are some artists who have used their lyrical abilities to uplift women and aide in their fight towards equality. Some artists who have promoted a positive image or uplifting words are J. Cole, Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, Kendrick Lamar, Common, and Tupac Shakur.
The last aforementioned, Tupac Shakur, was a hip hop pioneer known to speak his mind or issues in society and that’s just what he did on his 1993 hit “Keep Ya Head Up” which earned the title the feminist anthem.
Tupac Shakur “Keep Ya Head Up” (music video link with lyric)
“And since we all came from a woman/Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman/I wonder why we take from our women/Why we rape our women, do we hate our women/I think it’s time to kill for our women/Time to heal our women, be real to our women.”
The goal of Hip-hop feminism is to both acknowledge the degrading aspects of hip hop and bring to light the encouraging ones. By integrating women into one of the most misogynistic fields, hip-hop feminism can encourage other areas of society to promote gender equality in politics, the workforce, etc.