Hip Hop

The genre of hip hop has long stirred controversy because of its often negative depiction of women. Scores of hip hop videos include scantily-clad women who gyrate violently, pole dance, or make other sexually suggestive actions. Though this depiction continues, the male-dominated hip hop industry has witnessed a rising number of successful female artists. Some of these artists, like their male counterparts, continue to objectify themselves and other women; conversely, a growing number of female hip hop artists work to change the perception of women in the [Page 695]genre, and send positive, uplifting messages to their listeners-females in particular.

The portrayal of women in hip hop videos serves as a major point of contention. Almost all videos in the genre by male artists show a male in a position of power (equivalent, often, to the role of a pimp) and women in subservient roles (synonymous with prostitutes). Women are further exploited by the typical fashion formula for most hip hop videos. Women wear very little clothing, and videomakers create shots where women's breasts and backsides are often emphasized. While women voluntarily participate in these videos and thus choose to function in a role that objectifies and demeans women, the male artists and video designers continue to rely on the motif of women as sex objects and secondary citizens in order to heighten the video's appeal and success. Similarly, in two episodes of the True Hollywood Story series (titled “Hip Hop Wives”), women glorified the hip hop lifestyle, in which male artists showered them with expensive cars, homes, clothing, and jewelry. While the episode glamorized the status of wives of hip hop artists, the show also devoted time to exploring problems faced by many of hip hop artists’ wives, including husbands who are unfaithful and abusive.

Female Success in an Otherwise Male-Dominated Field

Transcript

• I just want to say, I’m almost speechless, and I thank you so much, Essence magazine – everyone that’s been there to support me. From day one that I walked into the music business, Essence has been there, and they have supported me and they have kept me in the light. They didn’t – when I thought I was in the dark, Essence showed me that there was light. All the women showed me that I could pick my back up and speak like a woman of intelligence and elegance, and a proud black woman. Essence gave me confidence when I had none. Essence gave me a cover when no one wanted to bother with me at all. I thank you so much. They gave me a shot at the Essence Festival, the very first time, when I was at my down – my lowest point – they gave me a chance to service my fans that were just like me, in a place where we wanted to be free.

The hip hop genre, long dominated by males, has recently seen explosive success by numerous female artists. The most successful female artists are American, though African female artists have also grown in number and popularity. Some of the most well-known female American hip hop artists include Lil’ Kim, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, and Beyoncé. Artists like Lil’ Kim and Rihanna, however, perpetuate objectifying women. In her song “How Many Licks,” Lil’ Kim chronicles her experiences with scores of men, judging each of them on how well they performed oral sex. Rihanna highly sexualizes violence in her video “Russian Roulette,” during which Rihanna and a man engage in a game of roulette. Rihanna refuses to back down from the game, and at one point is shown in a deep pool of water where bullets strike her. Rihanna survives the game, but nonetheless her skimpy costumes, coupled with her depiction of violence against women, cause concern in many viewers about the status of women in hip hop.

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