Women in Hip-Hop: Round 2

Commonplace #10: Hip-Hop music is misogynistic.

Hip-hop gets a lot of criticism for its portrayal and objectification of women in lyrics and music videos and I must say that there have been many instances where it has been. Recently, women have started to take action on this issue by pro testing artists who m they feel degrade women. A few years back the hip-hop artist Nelly was protested at Spelman College while making an appearance at a bone marrow drive held by the school. The students felt that Nelly’s videos demeaned women and they didn’t want him at their school. The artist made the following comment during an interview with Tavis Smiley on PBS:

“ [The Spelman student protestors] were saying that some of my videos were degrading towards women, which is a controversy because I don't really see it like that. As far as what we did, we got adult women, we went to the clubs…we portrayed what some would consider a bachelor party…I didn't see it as degrading…I just feel if you really wanna get the roots out of your grass, don't cut it at the top. Dig down; you know what I'm saying? Dig down deep and pull it from the bottom if you really wanna get this situation resolved. I just think they took a shot at me at a vulnerable situation…I don't really think that anyone is really out to demean women. I know, I'm not, considering 85% of my fans are women. If they thought I was doing something demeaning towards them, they wouldn't support Nelly the way they do. I give women more credit than I think a lot of people do. I think they're definitely smart enough to say, well, this brother is doing this on purpose. He's out to hurt us, and he's not participating in anything in the community. He's not trying to help sisters at all. He belittles his mother and all the women around him, which is not true (Smiley).”


In another instance, rapper Jay-Z made a comment in Wall Street Journal that he realized the error of his ways in his lyrics concerning women. “Some [lyrics] become really profound when you see them in writing. Not 'Big Pimpin.' That's the exception," he told the Wall Street Journal in a candid new interview. "It was like, I can't believe I said that. And kept saying it. What kind of animal would say this sort of thing? Reading it is really harsh (Black Snob)."

Despite these artists attempt to justify or apologize for their “misogynistic” lyrics, I find it interesting that many women complain that “video girls” make the rest of us women look bad because I don’t agree. In my opinion, women who appear in these music videos, which are so controversial, are representing themselves, not other women. I personally think that they are disrespecting themselves by letting artists portray them in such a negative way. As a young woman, I couldn’t expect a man or anyone for that matter to respect me if I chose to appear in a music video like that. Therefore, I think that getting upset about music videos that supposedly “objectify” women is extraneous unless you share the same ideals as the women in those videos. Every woman is different and a music video with scantily clad women doesn’t necessarily generalize all women.

Sources:

Tavis Smiley. Examining Hip-Hop Culture: Representation of Women (Nelly).  <http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/special/hiphop/#>

The Black Snob: “Jay-Z Feels Bad for Past Lady Dissing” Oct. 2010. Web.

The Influence of Hip-Hop

Commonplace #9: Hip-Hop music encourages style, violence, drug use and misogyny in urban communities.

“Hip-hop -- brash, vulgar, in-your-face hip-hop -- is indisputably the dominant youth culture today. Its most controversial front men floss mad ice (wear lots of diamonds and other expensive jewelry), book bad bitches (usually scantily clad, less than the take home kind of girl) and in general, party it up. Its most visible females brag about their sexual dexterity, physical attributes and cunning tactics when it comes to getting their rent paid (Evelyn). “

The problem with these stereotypes toward hip-hop is music is the generalization that all artists are “preaching” the same message. Not all, but many artists who use these images in their lyrics or videos are actually showing how drugs and violence has impacted their lives as well as their family and friends lives in a negative way. Although earlier hip-hop music contained more “lyrically conscious” artists like Public Enemy, today’s artists are still making the same points just in a different way. For example, songs  like “Closer to My Dreams” by Drake, “My Life” by the Game and “Dreamin” by Yung Jeezy emulate the struggles of the artists life and how they have or plan to beat their odds.

                                            “Dreamin” by Young Jeezy ft. Keyshia Cole music video (link below)

                                                            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srSuX08b5nw

Sources:

Jamilah Evelyn. “The Miseducation of Hip-Hop”. Black Issues in Higher Education. Dec. 2000 Vol. 17 Issue 21, p24, 5p, 3 Color Photographs

Where Did It Go?

Commonplace #8: Artists spend their money foolishly and beyond their means.

MC Hammer is probably the first person that comes to mind when you read the above statement. He lost everything he had in the "blink of an eye"  because he never budgeted or paid attention to his cash flow.  and However, it seems that many hip--hop artists today have learned from his mistakes and wised up quickly when it comes to money.

Jay-Z who tops the list of the richest rappers made $63 million this past year. P. Diddy is second on this list and made $30 million. The third to top this list is Akon with $21 million and Lil Wayne is in fourth place with $20 million. These men are not only music artists, they have many ventures outside of their music that allows them to maintain a steady cash flow. Jay-Z is a co-owner of the 40/40 club chain and has recently written a book called "Decoded". P.Diddy is the CEO of a record company and has made his money through the creation of his own brand of liqour, "Ciroc", appeared in movies and television and has his own clothing line to say the least.Lil Wayne has also began to secure his financial future with his personal record label specifically with his new music group Young Money.

Though many artists do boast of their financial status through cars, jewelry and property, none have yet to suffer losses as great as the legendary MC Hammer. But with artists becoming more business saavy as they get more money hopefully it never will.



           
                                     



Sources:

"Hip-Hop Stars Stayin' Paid Outside of Music". Aug. 2010. Web.

Hip-Hop and Education

Commonplace #7: Hip-Hop artists don't value education.

While becoming a rapper is not a negative thing, I believe the value of education should be emphasized...(Polovina)."

Although I do agree that rappers and hip-hop artists should definitely make a point to empasize the importance of education it is not their job to do so. I feel that too many parents are looking to their children's favorite celebrity to teach them the rights and wrongs of life. On the other hand, because of the clout that these artists hold they should technically be obligated to be role models because of their influential status and in some cases they do. Media moguls like P. Diddy and Russell Simmons who are CEO's of their own companies are prime examples of where education can get you.

Being educated may not be a part of the hip-hop image but it has helped many artists achieve success. however, many people don't give hip-hop artists the credit they deserve.There are many hip-hop artists who graduated college, have a degree, or are currently enrolled in college. Even for those artists that do not have an educational background that doesn't mean they don't value education.

The list below shows a few of today's popular artists who do have an educational background.

Lil Wayne - University of Houston
Ludacris - Georgia State University (summa cum laude)
David Banner - Southern University (Bachelors in Business) and University of Maryland (Masters in Education)
Talib Kweli - New York University
Sean Combs (P. Diddy) - Howard University
Ice Cube - Phoenix Institute of Technology
Common - Florida A&M University
Plies - Nursing degree


Sources:

Julie Polovina. "Does Hip-Hop Bring Us Together?". Web.

Education Portal.  "Rap and Hip Hop StarsWho Went To College". Aug. 2009. Web.

Christian Hip-Hop

Commonplace #6: Hip-Hop can't be positive.

"In recent years, adults have expressed concerns about the impact they believe popular hip-hop music has on the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of young adolescents. Adolescents' attitudes about school, material success, appreciation of themselves and others seem to be

shaped to a large extent by the music they listen to. Similarly youths' behavior, as reflected in their clothing styles, language usage, desire for jewelry, and automobile preferences, have been attributed to lyrics and videos from the hip-hop industry (Brown)."

It's no secret that hip-hop gets a bad rap when it comes to its influence on kids. The lively beats no doubtedly attract children and then of course the lyrics. The references to drugs, violence, and women are most parents issues when it comes to hip-hop. However, hip-hop music has evolved over the years and is continuously changing. One of the newer sub-genres of hip-hop is the Christian hip-hop and rap genre. Although, its use is controversial because of its close similarity to the secular nature of hip-hop music that most churches try to stay away from, it is very popular with many church-attending youth. The fact that hip-hop proves to be so influential in young adults lives would lead me to believe that this new sub-genre of hip-hop could be just as influential.

Lecrae, Tedashii (of 116 clique), Trip Lee, FLAME and The Cross Movement are just a few of the popular hip-hop/rap artists out. This link shows a list of many more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_hip_hop_and_rap_artists

This music video "Don't Waste Your Life"  by Lecrae is an example of Christian hip-hop/raphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RWEllqh5J0



Sources:

Veda Brown. Guiding the Influence of Hip-Hop Music on Middle-School Students' Feelings, Thinking, and Behaving. Negro Educational Review. Spring/Summer2006, Vol. 57 Issue 1/2, p49-68, 20p

Women in Hip-Hop

Commonplace #5: Female hip-hop artists can't be successful in a male-dominated genre.

"While hip-hop has historically been the channel designed to give a voice to urban America, women have been effectively left out. Here are some reasons I believe women are missing: The hypermasculinity of hip-hop...corporations don't like to take risks...women aren't demanding a change...men don't care...major media isn't stepping up to the plate (Hawkins)."

I find it interesting that even in the entertainment industry when a female has obvious and recognizable talent they can still have problems getting recognition. There have been a few female artists like Lil' Kim and Trina who are considered female veterans of hip-hop yet even though many people accept this, they still attribute their success to their style of dress and videos where they are scantily dressed. There is no denying the  popular saying "Sex sells" but is it really the only way women can climb up the ladder of  hip-hop? I think not.

In a male-dominated genre, female hip-hop artists are usually put on the back burner. Only recently have the women in the hip-hop game come to be considered as peers to their male counterparts. Nicki Minaj of Young Money and Diamond are two of the more recent examples of this change. Both ladies are highly recognized by many of the big name male hip-hop artists and have even collaborated with them;they have their own CD's as well.

                            


(The following website goes more in depth about the reasons why the hip-hop genre seems to be so void of female artists: http://www.bvonmoney.com/2010/06/14/hip-hop-industry-female-artists/ )


Sources:

Dr. Boyce Watkins. Why the Hip--Hop Industry Doesn't Support Female Artists. Jun. 2010. Web.

Hip-Hop Philanthropy

Commonplace #4: Hip-Hop Kills vs. Hip-Hop Saves Lives

Hip-Hop music and the artists behind the music have always gotten a bad "rap" because of their lyrics. The music's lyrics have commonly been to blame for the presence of violence and drugs in American communities. However, if people could see past the lyrics and see what hip-hop has done for many communities maybe their minds would change.

Hip-Hop has helped change the lives of people on a personal level and both locally and internationally. Not only has hip-hop has saved the lives of many young people that took an interest in hip-hop instead of the streets, but there are a number of non-profit organizations that are either hip-hop based or run by hip-hop artists themselves. Hip-hop personalities and artists like Russell Simmons, Wyclef Jean, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, and Ice Cube, just to name a few,  are all involved in organizations that are dedicated to building up urban communities and helping countries in need all around the world. Programs like "Hip-Hop Caucaus" that encourages youg adults to go out and vote, the "Hip-Hop Summit" which helps young adults to plan their lifes, and even "Hip Hop Saves Lives" which provides clean drinking water for children in Africa.

The below link is a video showing  a group of middle easterners who live in Iraq and use hip-hop as an outlet to escape their harsh reality. This video is a perfect example of how hip-hop has not only helped change lives personally but also internationally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq7VyJSSEDE

Trinity International Hip Hop Festival 2009: live footage, ciphers, free...

Who is Hip-Hop for?

Commonplace #3: Only African-Americans listen to Hip-Hop.

"Even though there are increasing numbers of white hip hop fans, many people still viewed the music's consumers as predominantly black (Herold)."

Despite popular belief, African-Americans are not the only listeners, and in some areas not the majority of listeners, of hip-hop music. Hip-Hop has become so mainstream, many countries around the world have decided to  put their own "twist" on hip-hop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWgXUj-wiCQ

The fact that some people are still labeling hip-hop music as a genre listened to by only one ethnicity is very ignorant to me. The above link to a clip of the Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival proves that the community of hip-hop supporters has become very much diverse. Hip-hop is much deeper than just music, it has become a way for people, sometimes people in different countries, to connect with each other.

Sources:

Kathy Herold. Hip Hop Songs and Black Racism. Jun. 2010. Web.

Hip-Hop is Dead?

Commonplace #2: Hip-Hop is Dead.


Many people that were there for or apart off the  original hip-hop movement argue that "Hip-Hop is Dead". In the late '80s, there was such a diversity (in hip-hop)...You had choices. That doesn't exist anymore (Dawkins)." The glorification of drugs, guns, money and violence in today's hip-hop lyrics is the main reason for this. Many people who feel "educated" on the hip-hop culture have made this arguement and there are a number of articles on the internet, in magazines and even debates on this idea.

I find it interesting that people think "Hip-Hop is Dead" when the success of hip-hop artists like Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy and Young Money just to name a few would have you think otherwise. These artists definitely have the money and the fame to prove that wrong as well. Its a given that the original intentions of the hip-hop genre have dramatically changed but declaring hip-hop dead just doesn't seem sensible. The outbreak of multiple hip-hop artists each year leads me to believe that there's no way 'Hip-Hop is Dead".


Sources:

Walter Dawkins. Is Hip-Hop Dead? Hip Hop Commentary.Web.

Is All Hip-Hop the Same?

Commonplace # 1: All Hip-Hop is the same.


In almost any article you can find debating hip-hop and the violence it supposedly encourages in many communites around our country, there is an abundance of comments bashing artists who glamourize slanging drugs, demeaning women, murder, and jail time just to name a few. But these things don't describe hip-hop they describe gangasta rap (they are in the same genre but they are NOT the same). Though, references to selling drugs, demeaning women, murder, and jail time are not necessarily non-exsistent in the lyrics of music that is described by the original definition of hip-hop, if they are there, they surely aren't encouraging it. Accordingly, it is understandable that those not familiar with hip-hop could see it as degrading but thats just the thing - you can't judge something you aren't familiar with.


Below are two links that discuss hip-hop. The first is an article that talks about negativity in hip-hop and the second is a "message" from an original hip-hop artist.


1.)  http://www.suite101.com/content/controversy-in-hip-hop-misogyny-violence-weed--hypersexuality-a247711


2.)  http://www.globaldarkness.com/articles/true_meaning_of_hip_hop_bambaata.htm