Writing about women in rap specifically has been a long time coming. Few things in music give me as much joy as hearing a woman rap. The confidence and energy behind their words relay such a powerful message to me. Anytime Megan Thee Stallion is interviewed and asked why she does what she does, her answer is about growing up listening to famous male rappers, hearing their words, and wondering what it would sound like if a woman talked like they do. That curiosity combined with talent and drive has given us the powerful women in rap today. Some will criticize their hypersexual lyrics or persona. I don't have a problem with it at all - in fact, I believe those people who make remarks like that really don't understand what's happening. The sexuality of women has been monitored, policed and restricted historically and relentlessly. Sexuality has been a tool to use against women to discredit their value and minimize the importance in the world. What I love is that these women are using their songs to recenter the narrative around women because - funnily enough - life does not revolve around a mans desires, even if the patriarchal society has been structured to seem so. This structure where men are the center means that music and art is made to appeal to the male gaze by majority. Hypersexualized women then fit into because of the male gaze. Therefore, I don't blame artists for doing what they do. I'm really here for it, I love it, and it looks fun. Little girls grow up in a world where their sexuality is shamed- a mystery, obscure, something to be controlled because it's dangerous. Seeing women be confident and accepting of who they are feels like a flip on that shameful narrative. It feels like acknowledgement that women are actual human people with goals and desires, not just decoration in a man's life to make a family. Rapping about sex and the feminine experience normalizes the whispered conversations that have been in the shadows for so long. Because of the intense restrictions put on women to be beautiful a certain way or act like someone else to be valued, I love and support a lot of women in rap today. I feel good when I listen to their music, so it makes me happy. If you don't know a lot of artists making their name today, this is a great introduction. If you already do, then great! I hope you see a favorite of yours or hear something new. P.S. Plenty of artists make songs that are not overtly sexy or anything in that realm. Maybe a post for a another day. Girls in the Hood - Megan Thee Stallion Fuck bein' good, I'm a bad bitch (ah) Bitch from Da Souf - Latto He know better than to fuck around, no bitch fucking with me Mobb'n - Kash Doll She beyond scared straight, I got her runnin' like a track meet Free Bia / 1st Day Out - BIA All these demons and no one to trust Pretty MF - Rubi Rose All my real bitches, put your middle fingers up These ladies are pretty well known so nothing super secret. Hope you enjoyed a little flavor of the day.
0 Comments
|
Author
A 20 something passionate about many facets of music: lyricism, melody, visual interpretations, the good stuff Categories
All
Archives
June 2022
|