GENDER AND POPULAR CULTURE Hip-hop perpetuates stereotypes By Tichakunda Tsedu Abstract Hip-hop is one of the most popular music genres but also one of the most sexist. Hip-hop and rap lyrics are well known for being degrading to women and perpetuating gender stereotypes. This article analyses hip-hop videos and lyrics to underscore the extent of the problem in mainstream and less commercially successful hip-hop. It also illustrates how the problem is perpetuated by female artists both in local African and American hip-hop. Key words hip-hop, rap, gender stereotypes, Jezebel, song lyrics I ntroduction Originating in the homes and streets of New York to describe the lyrics of many chart-topping singles in the 1970s, hip-hop has truly travelled across produced by the genre. Indeed, gender equality and beyond the Atlantic, similar to the slave is clearly not a hot topic in rap when you begin ancestors of many pioneers of this legendary to dissect the lyrics and unearth the messages urban culture. On its journey it has embodied a being delivered. spirit and authenticity that continues to make its social and economic impact all the more significant. The woman represented in hip-hop is first and Its commercial success is undeniable and countless foremost empowered by her body - simply note rappers have made millions selling their music and the high numbers of underdressed females lifestyles to the world. flaunting their bodies in bikinis and underwear in many hip-hop videos. The sheer proportion of Along with its growth and increased socio-cultural women to men in some music videos effectively influence, hip-hop has retained its most funda- indicates strong gender and power relations mental traits: a lyrical and factual engagement favouring men. The fate of women is thus one distinctly dominated by males. And what about which has left them voiceless and without real the females in hip-hop? Well, we have commonly substance in music videos - and in the studio. seen over the years that “misogynistic” and What becomes clear is that the idea of “the “demeaning” have become the clichés relied upon Jezebel” still holds a firm place within the media, PAGE 22 • GENDER AND MEDIA DIVERSITY JOURNAL GENDER AND POPULAR CULTURE particularly in hip-hop/rap lyrics and music videos aggressive and promiscuous. This stereotype can which continue to objectify women and reinforce be traced to pre-colonial times when European stereotypical notions that a female's value is in travelers encountered native women. Descriptions ensuring men's sexual gratification. This paper of these women mainly focused on their apparently aims to explore women in hip hop by considering insatiable lust for sex, and they were often depicted how they are portrayed in rap lyrics and videos with large, sagging breasts. The international slave and looking at perspectives of male and female trade and slavery only entrenched these narrow, rappers. sexist, racist notions of women of colour. Media effects From the 1940's onward, American television The media has a widespread influence and impact witnessed the downfall of the wise and respectable on individual perceptions of reality and beliefs mammy as she was replaced by wilder depictions about others. For instance, the lack of African of sexually active black women. Fast forward to Americans in early advertising and media in that the 21st century and there has been little done country displayed white America's perceptions of by the media in terms of diversity in its mainstream blacks, as non-citizens in society. Moreover, the representations of black women. One look at perpetual lack of diversity in the representation contemporary hip-hop music videos and it becomes of women (i.e. media represents women as always all too clear that women of colour remain objects thin with perfect skin) has indeed contributed to of sexual desire in the media. how young girls and women in general feel about their own bodies. Take Nelly's Tip Drill2, certainly one of the most controversial and sexually explicit music videos to Numerous studies have indeed found some be released by a hip hop artist. The scene in the correlation between media consumption and body video is a party atmosphere with half-naked dissatisfaction, weight concerns and sexual women dancing and stripping while men defile attitudes, amongst others. This has significantly them by pouring champagne on them and even occurred especially amongst young girls and swipe a credit card between a woman's buttocks. women. According to Ward and Harrison1, expo- At one point, a woman gyrates with such vigour sure to sexual content (as opposed to nonsexual and enthusiasm to the point that her bikini comes content) in music videos, television programs and off. magazines “is associated with stronger endorse- ment of stereotypical attitudes about sex. Women exposed to images depicting men as sex-driven, women as objects, or sex as recreation offered stronger support of these stereotypes than did women in control groups.” Jezebels in music videos In modern popular culture, the Jezebel myth can be understood to be the prevailing stereotype that identifies black women as loose, sexually Hip hop star: Nelly. Screenshot taken from Tip Drill video GENDER AND POPULAR CULTURE GENDER GENDER AND POPULAR CULTURE GENDER GENDER AND MEDIA DIVERSITY JOURNAL • PAGE 23 GENDER AND POPULAR CULTURE Another example of a video in which women are on) to provide a sample of women's represen- portrayed in sexually degrading ways is Bucket tation in hip-hop lyrics. The local song was selected Naked by Papoose3. In the video the rapper walks because of its popularity on radio and television, around an office using a mobile phone that allows while the American song is not as popular on him to be able to see through women's clothing. mainstream radio. The purpose is to show that Thus the entire video features Papoose exposing misogyny is common in both mainstream and less various women in their underwear as they try to commercial hip-hop. go about their work. Certainly not all rap videos degrade women to such an extent but it is Alchemist featuring Prodigy: “Keep the heels on”5 common to see men with cash, cars, alcohol and as many women as possible with as little clothing Girl I wanna make you cry, I wanna make you on as possible. Jay-Z's Big Pimpin4 is an example scream/ of a video in which women outnumber the men. I wanna make you sweat, make you wet when In this video, there are only a handful of men and you dream/ dozens of bikini clad women. Representations Pick you up at lunch so we can do the back such as this further strengthen the notion that seat/ male success and pleasure comes from having You can't concentrate at work, thinking about multiple female partners. me/ Killing it, tip drilling it, I'm spilling it all over the Case study: song lyrics place, yeah I got her feeling it/ Your man never made your body shake like that/ Bet he don't know his girl makes her face like that/ Off a long dick, hog spit in her ass crack while I long dick did it, yeah from the back huh/ Honey's sophisticated mommy raised her like a lady/ But every woman's got a freaky side I'm going crazy/ Ready to pop it off, you hit them with the proper talk/ They put their guard down and give a nigga Screenshot taken from MVP video. what he wants/ While videos visually display the way many are Roll the blunt, pour a drink, nigga get the buzz perceived in the world of hip-hop, song lyrics are going/ the starting point. A critical analysis of hip-hop Keep em talking, don't let em think for a lyrics reveals an equally degrading representation moment/ of women. This section will look at two songs: Turn the music up, lights down, we gon fuck one from South Africa (L-Tido's It ain't my fault) right now/ and one from America (Alchemist's Keep the heels PAGE 24 • GENDER AND MEDIA DIVERSITY JOURNAL GENDER AND POPULAR CULTURE Start sucking their tits and push their head right In the first song, it is difficult to ascertain what down/ message is being conveyed, besides explicit Sloppy faced diva catch a breather coz her jaw descriptions of engaging in sexual acts with a hurt/ woman. This conforms with hip-hop norms of Then you lay em back, with their legs on your degrading women and limiting their role in society shoulder/ to one of sexual activity. Reading the lyrics one Dig her nails in my back, talking bout trying to could say the rapper is providing guidelines for kill her/ having sex with a woman. He encourages the Grab the sheets like she's being raped, but she listener to set the mood by smoking marijuana wants it nigga/ and drinking alcohol, that is when a woman will “put their guard down and give a nigga what he L-Tido: “It ain't my fault”6 wants.” It aint my fault, she smiling at me, eyeing my The woman's fidelity is questioned in the song as p, and likes what she sees Prodigy claims he is intimate with her in a way his It aint my fault, that's why you're alone, calling partner is not. This indicates that she is already in her phone I might take her home a relationship but has sex with other men, thus It aint my fault, pardon me please why cant presenting the woman as unfaithful - a common you see that I'm just a G representation of women in rap lyrics.