So, it's no secret that I love music. Even though I'm the self proclaimed hip hop head, I listen to many genres of music. (I guess I said that as a disclaimer for the defense of my musical enjoyment. lol) But hip hop seems to be the genre I identify with the most. This is probably because of the era in which I was raised. One thing's for certain, hip hop definitely varies from artist to artist. But one common link for the majority of these artists is the objectification of women.
Every couple of months I hear a song come out, that's so unbelievably disrespectful to women, I shudder. (I might be exaggerating with the shudder lmao) I attribute this to the fact that I would probably get slapped in my face if I ever said some of the things these artists said to a woman. But every time I visit a club or lounge, I see these same women dancing their hearts out to these offensive songs. Now, I never really thought about it until I heard a few women say that they didn't want to hear any positive music while they are partying. They can't dance to this. I think the exact quote was, "I need to be called a bitch or a hoe (whore) in order to shake my ass."
After further observation, I see that alot of women share this philosophy. (lol)
I know that a few of you need evidence because you just like to prove me wrong. So exhibit "A" is a song called "Some Cut" by Lil Scrappy f/ Trillville. I won't even go as far as to give you a verse, the hook (chorus) says it all:
"What it is hoe, ah what's up. Can a nigga get in them guts. Cut you up like you ain't been cut. Show yo ass how to really catch a nut. So give me yo number, and I'll call. And I'll follow that ass in the mall. Take you home let you juggle my balls, while I'm beating down yo walls"
Now ladies, picture a guy coming up to you, wherever you may be, saying something like that as an opening line. How offended would you be? I can answer for the majority of women that I know, ( I say majority, cause I don't know about some of you lmao) You would be irate. And rightfully so. But are you encouraging this behavior?
Now, I know some of you that read this blog, and I know what you're saying to yourself right now, "I mean, it's just music. I have the right to dance and listen to whatever I want." This may be true; but does music NOT influence our culture heavily? You'd have to agree with that, right? So it's safe to say that if you are in the club dancing to these songs, you are encouraging these artists to continue to make them. Which in turn, gives guys the boldness to emulate what they hear in these songs.
To sum it all up ladies, your role in the degradation of women is prevalent. Although this role might seem minute (that's mi-nute), it has a profound affect on the progress of equal rights. I'll just say, "Either you're a part of the problem, or a part of the solution." If guys continue get the power to say and do whatever the want to you, it would be setting back the progress that great women have made to be accepted as equals. Maybe I'm thinking to deep about this, but hell, "It's Just My Thoughts, Just What I Was Feeling at the Time."
15 comments:
BURGESS I HAVE BEEN THINKING THE EXACT SAME THING FOR YEARS!....IM GLAD SOMEBDY SAID IT IN AN ELOQUENT BLOG.... BUT IM A LITTLE SCARED THAT WOMEN MAY ACTUALLY START TO REALIZE THE POWER OF THE PUSS AND REALIZE THAT IF THEY AINT "CUTTIN" THEN NIGGAS WILL ACT HOWEVER THEY DEMAND TO GET THEM TO CUT....SO LONG AS I CAN PLAY "GET SOME CUT" WHILE GETTN SOME THEN THATS KEEPING THE POWER ON OUR SIDE BROVA
I definitely agree with you that music these days leaves very little for women to reflect positively on. But from a women's point of view, it must be noted that you defend YOUR right to listen to hip-hop and the grimy lyrics, but denounce women who listen and crank to it. But what about the man? Why is it that women are looked at as CONTRIBUTING to it, when it was the man who created it and defend it while looking down on the woman for doing the same? Thats that male mind for you... very one sided. When I listen to the music you speak of, its not that I want a man to walk up to me and say some shit like that-- JUST like when you listen to it, you wouldn't walk up to a woman and say those things. Let entertainment be entertainment. If anything, maybe YOU are buying too much into the lyrics yourself, and mad that YOU CANT say those things to a women without being slapped. At any rate, give credit to women who can be entertained, but not easily influenced.
Ladies listen to what you want to, as long as you have a mind strong enough to know that real women don't carry themselves in a way to emulate those lyrics!
Man, excellent post! But, as an overall lover of music, you have to be mindful to excuse those folks that aren't such avid listeners of lyrical content. Music, in itself, is a universal language. When I say that, I mean the actual instrumentation and vibration that it creates. For instance, if you took the same Lil Scrappy song and gave it another lyric, it would probably produce the same desire to dance due to the rhythm it emits.
Now, as far as women dancing to the "bitches and hoes" references, I think its funny foreal. The question is whether they are willing to go beyond dancing to support the artist by buying his album.
Music is entertainment much like video games, televison and other sorts of entertainment meaning although some of the lyrics are demeaning there are also things on TV that are demaning to men and women. The most important concept is to know your self-worth and to always keep in mind it is entertainment. Whatever attracts a lot of attention and money is going to be marketed be it sex, alcohol, woman, men, violence etc.
This comment is just addressing Anonymous #2. As I say all the time, my blog is only supposed to provoke thought. I'm glad this subject was enough to garner your strong feelings but your comment was a bit accusatory. I definitely made sure I didn't say ALL women because I know there are some women out there that can listen to a song and NOT be influenced by it. But if you ever go out, I'm sure you see ladies singing along with these lyrics and dancing to them.
To address the comment about me myself being slapped by a woman: If you know anything about me, then you'd know that I always know what to say out of my mouth. I'm fly with the tongue so if I want to say something derogatory, I know how to make it sound slick without it being offensive ;-) My mother and father raised a gentleman, so that hasn't or will ever be a problem of mine.
And to address the "entertainment being entertainment" comment, I think it would be very naive of you to think that entertainment doesn't influence the masses. (maybe even ignorant) You have to understand that just because YOU aren't easily influenced, OTHERS won't be lead astray due to what is labeled as "entertainment"
Like I said towards the end of the post "Either you're a part of the problem, or you're a part of the solution" Us pointing the finger back and forth won't solve the problem. But since this is my forum to voice my opinion, and the majority of the people who read this post are female, I had to speak directly to women. Especially since I feel that women hold more power than they know. I'm not letting men off the hook for being disrespectful, merely pointing out that we only get away with what you allow.
I apologize if I offend anyone with this post, but shiiiiiiiiiit like I say, "It's Just My Thoughts, Just How I Was Feeling at the Time"
Hmmm...this posts highlights two different issues- women who prefer to listen to "degrading" music and the prevalence of this type of music itself.
I refuse to believe that anyone could seriously make the statement that you referenced in this post. I think that may reflect a deeper issue going on with that person and is not reflective of how most women feel.
Personally, there have been times when I called myself not dancing to songs I don't approve of lol, but I don't feel like that makes much of a statement esp when everyone else is jammin! So my question is, does the onus only fall upon women? *raised eyebrow* Also, there are some like myself who are clueless of the lyrical content of some of these songs and just get caught up in the beats (yes, beat lovers...u love us ;). As a matter of fact, one of my friends just eluded to this in her comment about a 90's party we're planning to attend this wknd (shameless plug..lol) where as she states, we'll be able to "...enjoy music I don't need a teenager to explain to me."
I can appreciate your concern for the way women are referred to in these songs, but this post kinda comes off like "It's ok for me to jam to these songs, but you women should be outraged!" While I'm sure this was not your intent and probably not your belief, I think it suggests the reason why there will always be a market for this type of music.
Well, I think this is a great topic and concern for many women who actually listen to lyrics and appreciate good music. I am one who will dance to a degrading song in the club,(that hurt to admit)lol, but nonetheless, I believe that this is a huge issue in our culture period. The direspectful songs that are being played on the radio, in the club, on t.v.! Women in the club play a small part to these songs being made popular or so common rather (i think). I believe it's the people who buy and support the music, go to the concerts, request the song on the radio, etc., that's the main cause for these so called "artist" who keep creating these records. Now dont get me wrong, dancing to it doesnt make me any better, but how many women in America today where "whatever is hott is in" will actually say "im not dancing to this" when they are in a club, tipsy or drunk (however they get down) and just stand there, lmao? I will! If I hear a song that is just ridiculous I wont dance, I do feel disrespected at that very moment that any man thinks he can even say that on a record or album or for that matter out loud. My point I am trying to make I guess is a song does not make me, I cant change the world but I can change myself. If I carry myself in a manner where as a man thinks he can feel or think that way about me upon meeting me then I will eventually pull that out of them because thats just who I am! I ask questions, I listen and get to know a mans ideology before anything gets too serious. There is things I will not tolerate from a man and names I refused to be called, even in a heated argument period. "Nip it in the bud" is the phrase that comes to mind. If more women would respect themselves then we wouldnt have so many men today treating and disrespecting us the way they do. My question is how do we instill or get women to respect themselves more? Is it the men who are making us feel like if we (get down) or (give it up) or whatever, that we may find love? I think a lot of women are lost on this topic and want to know what men really think. One last thing, I know im longwinded,lol. Would you talk to me if I was in the club shaking my ass to this song, and if so, would me dancing to this particular song make you look at me as if I am a slut, hoe, or a women in general whom does not respect myself?
Better example: Plies - Bust It Baby
When this song dropped in the club, every woman was singing along. However, none of them would have preferred to have been called a "Bust It Baby."
You can't just sit there and say that "entertainment is entertainment" because that means even the most degrading depictions of women in pornography are acceptable to you because, "It's just entertainment," right? Thats an exaggerated example but its all the same.
i agree with most of what's being said in these comments. this is such a circular topic that whenever anyone tries to take a hard stance, they look silly. so many variables to consider... anyway...
however, music influences society blah blah blah. if you're on the street calling a woman a bitch, you're not doing it because you heard it in a song. you're doing it because you're morally bankrupt and you've been raised by a sorry ass woman who should be slapped for producing you.
i think a bigger issue is the men who stand by and do nothing when they see a man calling a woman a bitch or hoe in a club. how do you sit by and do nothing and still retain an untarnished self-image? that fascinates... men standing by and doing nothing still think they're men. a mess. i think other men standing around and doing nothing contributes more to this culture of disrespect than anything else. when i was growing up, men didn't act up because they knew that whatever man was in hearing distance would fuck them up- the way the world should be... i do dream about women around the country coming together and cutting men off who didn't pay child support, used offensive language, didn't give up their damn seat on the metro to old women who like their damn grandmothers, didn't step up when other men disrepected women, etc. ahh- the power we would wield if we didn't have thirsty ass women willing to take anything. effin it up for the rest of us!
80% of women are whores anyway, including my mother some just act to funny to say it. Fact- women buy more music than men. if that shit ain't sell it wouldn't be sold. deep down women know the lyrics are the truth and enjoy it
Wow, anonymous you sound like you have a deep-seated hatred for women period... starting with your mother. Im sorry you feel that way!Maybe it's 80% of the women you are capable of coming across that are whores,hmmm? No disrespect, but your statement was wack and shows why some men will never understand women! The topic of discussion is not whether the lyrics are true it's whether we feel disrespected by them. My man can say deragatory things to me "if" thats what turns us on, but thats in the privacy of our bedroom and not something that is said during normal conversation or activity.
Point is you should just forgive whatever woman treated you wrong so that you can open your heart to find a real woman who will forever produce a better picture of a lady/woman in your mind and heart!
WOO SAU, SON!
when my 11 year old son sang lil wayne ms. officer that was enough for me, i was done with todays rap [well commercial rap anyway]. just hearing an 11 year old rap about gettin all up in ya thats too much really. i grew up with boggie down productions, mc lyte, queen latifah, big daddy kane. rap has really changed from letting us know whats really going on in our community, to the bling we can't afford to the promiscuity that's killing off our youth it really sickens me. but yes we have supported this music. and no we as women can't expect men to respect us when are shakin our asses to SOME CUT! Jarrett my response would have been better but i am typing on the Wii! lol
I appreciate all of the responses to this post. Even the silly ones lmao. I have a few people I want to address though.
To Lamont: First I just want to say thank you for commenting on all my post. You force me to step my game up with with a different perspective on things.
I do want to address the statement you made about taking the Lil Scrappy beat and putting different lyrics to it. Not so fast! I have heard crazy production on gospel rap, but ask me how many units they move? And ask a woman would they dance to it in the club? A lil extreme right? lol Well take club bangers from artist like Common, Lupe, Kweli and the like. The have awesome production and you barely hear these songs on the radio or in clubs. This leads me to believe that it has to be the lyrics.
To Elaine: If I have given you the impression that the degrading lyrics are okay for me to listen to and not for women, I apologize, cause that definitely wasn't my intent. I'm sure you've seen a lil bit of my CD collection and you must say with the exception of Yung Dro, (which is a CD that I didn't purchase) I really only invest in conscious hip hop artist. I don't support Plies or Lil' Scrappy or artist like them (Although I do have a quite a bit of T.I., who I really don't consider degrading cause who doesn't want their girl to have a girlfriend lmao) For me, I just know how much power women possess and I hate to see you all stand for anything. Not excusing men at all, but like I said we only get away with what you all allow.
I'm pleased to hear that you only invest in products of conscious hiphop artists, but I thought the question you posed related to the music we dance to in the clubs. I think there is a vast disparity in the music most people dance to when they're out versus the music they actually purchase.
So, it just makes me wonder... are women the only ones who should be taking a stand? (I guess if we did, yall wouldn't have anyone to dance with lol.) When you hear these songs playing when you're out, do you stop and shake your head??? Lol. I'm just curious as to what you thing we as women should be doing to help solve this problem. Personally, I just choose not to listen to the radio stations that play this music (you know I'm more of a R&B, reggae, and soca fan) and I don't dance to these songs when I'm out because half of them I don't even know! Lol!
Jarrett,
As a women I would think that other women would feel disrespected by such lyrics. The truth of the matter is females have to respect themselves as women before they can expect or even want to be respected by anyone else. Do u really think if all women demanded respect from men those records would sell? or even be made? I don't!
I am a music lover myself. The way I pick my faves is the beat OR a small part of the lyrics have to catch me FIRST....then and only then do I really pay attention...that may be the very reason I'm not a die hard hip-hop fan. There has to be something in the lyrics I can relate to. There are so many songs that have a nice beat but the lyrics are a joke and the song still gets played and the artist gets paid. I say that to say the beat can never excuse the lyrics. A true artist can come up with ANYTHING for a good beat...it doesnt have to be disrespectful to women. The song will get the same love. It could happen!
Ebony C.
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