Destruction of Lyrics
by D. Robinson
revised by ME
"I stated a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie/To the hip hip-hop, and also you do not
stop/ The rock it to the bang-bang, boogie say "as much as jump"/ The boogie to the
rhythm of the boogie, the beat/ Now, what you pay attention isn't a test/ I'm rappin' to
the beat/ And me, the groove, and my buddies are going to attempt to circulate your
feet," those lyrics stated in 1979. (Katel 2007). "Hip-hop is a cultural motion that started
out with 4 elements: MCing (rapping), DJing, graffiti art, and breaking (wreck dancing),"
says Katel. Hip-hop started out as a shape of empowerment for impoverished black
communities. Hip-hop has developed considering then, from "hard-using dance
numbers" to intercourse and violence-filled "gangsta rap" (Katel 2007). Hip-hop lyrics
have an impact on how Black ladies are perceived and the way they understand
themselves.
There was a period when women were regarded as queens and adored. "Honor
Roll," a song by rapper Lil Boosie, is about his high-grade list of women. Does that sound
promising? That is far from the case. "Check out my honor roll," says the song's hook.
Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s,
Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s,
Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s, Grade A b*****s,
Grade A b*****s, Grade They aren't, no. You want to believe that you are "Grade A"
material as a woman, but you are not a female dog. Hip-hop, according to Dr. Johnetta B.
Cole, president of Bennett College for Women, is more contemptuous of women than any
other type of music. This is owing to the lyrics' sexist attitude. These songs are excellent
samples of the types of images that ladies in this genre have.
Source: Microsoft Word - Best Essays 2014-2015final5.docx (volstate.edu)
Hip-hop has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry as it has veered from its
roots. Its popularity stems primarily from the prominence of strip clubs; "several recent
hits have centered totally around the premise of women as sex workers," according to the
film (Hunter 2011). "I see you winding and grinding up on that pole./I know you see me
lookin' at you when you already know," says rapper Akon in his song "I Wanna F*** You."
/I want to f*** you, girl/I want to f*** you, girl/I want to f*** you, girl." Most listeners
are led to believe that all women are strippers who are only interested in having sex. The
same may be said about rapper Nelly's song "Tip Drill." This song simply argues that a
man will have sex with a woman no matter how unattractive she is as long as she has a
vagina. Some women's perceptions of themselves are influenced by these types of lyrics.
Dr. Cole had this to say regarding black women's self-perception:
What meaning might "bitches," "ho's," "skeezers," "freaks," "money diggers,"
"chickenheads," and "pigeons" have for Black girls and women? What possible benefit
may rap music videos serve as backdrops, props, and objects of passion for rap musicians
who occasionally act as predators offer to our communities? Since slavery, White women
have been stereotyped as promiscuous, predatory, and hypersexual in society at large,
including popular culture, and hip-hop... is complicit in these stereotypical and
destructive images of Black girls and women.
She's entirely correct. Hip-nature hops have influenced how female rappers see
themselves. For example, rapper Trina's song "Da Baddest B****" details all of the sexual
favors she's willing to provide in exchange for money. She frequently refers to herself as
a "bitch," and she refers to other women as "ho's," which has led to Black women
degrading themselves. All too often, Black women dress up as strippers and go out.
They're exposing their breasts and bums, which fits with the stereotype that hip-hop
lyrics promote. Some female rappers are spreading positive messages. Queen Latifah, a
pioneering female rapper, focused on empowering Black women and all women. "Ladies
First," her song, celebrates all of the great aspects of women and reminds men that we
Source: Microsoft Word - Best Essays 2014-2015final5.docx (volstate.edu)
should be treated like ladies. It also emphasizes that women were created to serve as
more than just sex toys for males.
Hip-hop has come a long way in its 30 years of existence. It all started with
empowering words for black people. Early hip-hop songs like Run D.M.C.'s "Proud to Be
Black" and Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" demonstrate this, however, today's hip-hop
is exclusively focused on what will sell and encourage Black women to shake their
behinds. Women seem to accept any song, no matter what the words say, as long as the
beat can make them dance. As a result, the next generation of Black women has little
hope. With today's technology and social media, finding a video of a Black woman
"twerking" in booty shorts for the entire world to see is a piece of cake. In the view of
many Black women, hip-hop lyrics have rendered that "acceptable." They've also
persuaded many Black women that half-nakedness is the only way to attract the attention
of the opposite sex. It's difficult for a young Black woman to listen to decent hip-hop
lyrics, lyrics that don't inspire them to see themselves as strippers and dress the role in
public, in an industry rife with misogyny.
Source: Microsoft Word - Best Essays 2014-2015final5.docx (volstate.edu)