Hip-hop music includes violent and abusive lyrics that could possibly reflect other illegal activities used for sexual purposes. Music identified as hip-hop verbally violates basic human rights, particularly the rights of women. Connotations of excessive and blatant sexual abuse can be found in almost all musical scores, as women are portrayed as prostitutes and assets who are worth no more than existing for the sexual pleasures of man. Much of the lyrics in rap songs are abusive and degrading to all women.
Hip-hop is a manifestation and twist of the exploitation of African American and Latin American youth, and is often seen as having attributes of sexism and misogyny. Latino and black youth in New York City originally started hip-hop culture, which included rapping, DJing, break dancing, and writing graffiti. But it has become more than just local expressions.
Hip-hop is a lifestyle for many people between the ages of 13 and 30. It includes music, videos, fashion, club scenes, and the ways young people interact with each other. The media has embraced and embraced hip-hop culture, as well as large corporations, such as Coca-Cola and Burger King. Hip-hop versions can be found in marketing media and corporate advertisements. The Brooklyn Museum of Art even has an exhibit dedicated to hip-hop culture.
The most influential part of hip-hop is known as rap music. Rap music is a form of poetry, recited over musical instrumentation. Rap music is considered by many to be brutally honest, violent, and misogynistic. But for others, violence and hatred towards women seems flagrant and offensive.
Much of rap music portrays black women in negative images. Hip-hop culture views all women, but especially black women, as sexual objects. Most hip-hop videos show women dancing or exhibited in explicit sexual poses, wearing bikinis (or less), with the focus on their body parts. The images go hand in hand with the explicit language that suggests that women are nothing more than sex objects or money-generating commodities. Many rappers describe themselves as ‘pimps’ and women as second-class and sexual commodities. Many rap songs not only glorify the lifestyle of the pimp and refer to women in a way that a pimp might describe his prostitutes, but the lyrics promote violence towards women who “disobey.”
Of course, not all rap music is misogynistic, and not all black men think of women this way, but a large percentage within hip-hop culture do. Insults in rap music dishonor, disrespect and dehumanize women. When society agrees to label women in this way, will physical and psychological abuse be acceptable? Unfortunately, many black men struggle with racism or oppression within hip-hop culture, and have been conditioned to distrust trust and love.
Many women consent to these collaborations and believe that racism or subjugation are viable excuses or justifications for the practice of degrading and exploiting women. The number of women taking unpaid auditions for video recordings indicates that a significant number of hip-hop consumers are women. Groups of women can be seen loitering in the backstage areas of concerts, expressing their willingness to perform sexually in exchange for money and jewelry, or perhaps noticing a feeling of being loved.
Historically, black women have been used as sexual instruments and continue to fight for power and material wealth. When slavery was legal and rampant, black women were routinely sexually abused by any man who desired her. They could be used for breeding purposes and create more slave trade for their owners. Black women also used sex to reduce the chances of cruel treatment by slave masters. They paid with their bodies to survive and achieve a better deal within the uncontrolled and abusive slave life.
Black women emerged from slavery as overexposed and promiscuous. Some saw themselves as society dictated and believed that they had no control over their bodies. While trying to fit into white societies, some black men wanted women to occupy subordinate positions in a white household; while some black women wanted men to get jobs and be the sole provider. Hip-hop culture displays similar oppressive obsessions. Some black women prefer to use their sexual powers for financial gain. And many black men have learned to manipulate women using money. In order for many black women to get what they want, they accept abuse and allow themselves to be exploited through hip-hop imagery.
Sometimes black women are uneducated and have no job skills. Many believe that their bodies are all they can offer to gain status. Many dysfunctional relationships can be found within hip-hop culture. Some women believe that men are useful instruments for accessing money; Some men think that women only have value when it comes to sexual gratification.
Would censoring hip-hop music and lyrics be an answer? Perhaps, the solution would be to change the society and ideology of hip-hop by interrupting the promotion of negative and misogynistic lyrics. But the first step in changing gender relations within the hip-hop community is education. People should be aware of the negative and derogatory connotations that continue to violate women’s rights, in sexist lyrics, physical interactions, and at hip-hop gatherings. But, of course, people must be receptive to the devastating results of human rights violations and be willing to change.
Are the human meat traders alive and well in the United States? Of course, we all know that trafficking in women is illegal, but considering the more than 45,000,000 dating websites on the Internet, is this a modern legal tool that continues the exploitation of women?
Speaking out against the exploitation of women in hip-hop cultures and of women everywhere can help change ideologies. But, if women are not interested or willing to stop exploitative tactics, they will continue to be used and considered only sexual instruments.
Although women have come a long way, their work is not done and they have a long way to go before equality becomes a reality.