August 1973, on a dance floor in the Bronx.hip-hop. Today, 50 years later, this genre that was never thought to last this long is climbing all the charts and has unprecedented distribution. It was born as a place where you can find yourself, that defines where you come from and represents you. However, hip-hop has used and often continues to use misogynistic and sexist language. What role did women play in this story?
The evolution of hip hop
In all areas, the female body is used as a sexual appeal to increase the audience. This helps make violence against women normal and acceptable. Even in music, in lyrics and music videos, this factor is very noticeable. Last but not least the world rap.
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Initially, hip-hop music originated in the ghetto, among the marginalized, who through their music express the values of unity, equality, condemn injustice too cruel world. Today hip-hop is a reality cultural and artistic movement. Always considered masculineHowever, he laid his foundation thanks to many women. Despite this, many singers began using misogynistic language in their lyrics, thereby increasing gender violence.
For example, in 1990 I 2 live crews they were arrested after the performance and accused of using obscene texts. Their album As nasty as they want to beIn effect, they hypersexualized the image of black women and portrayed them as targets for self-expression. sexual violence. However, unfortunately, the crew members won the case, and even today the episode is remembered only as a fight for freedom of expression in the hip-hop community, regardless of the vision of women.
Thus began a long journey of music videos. they sexualize woman, texts containing insults to them. Women also often spoke about “sex positivity” in hip-hop music. But, unlike men, their texts are considered too sexual, excessive or vulgar. The criticism men don’t get.
From offensive texts to the power of words
Therefore, very often there is something hidden behind the words of this music. sad reality and offensive. In rap music lyrics, essentiallyobjectification of the female body. Through the tongue misogynist there is a desire to assert your masculine power. This leads to nothing but spreading misconceptions, violence that women suffer every day. And influence the mentality of even small children, promoting sexist stereotypes.
However, it did not take long for women to voice their opinions and take a stand on the issue. From the very beginning they played a decisive role. Female rap artists, in turn, have used their music to counter this misogyny by expressing it. resistance through their texts and their independence.
Only in 1988 with Light like a rock rapper MS Light, The first solo rap album by a woman was released, but already in previous years many female names contributed to the popularization of hip-hop. Artists like it Roxanne Shante AND Queen Latifah they were pioneers American rap. Their stories and those of many other artists are explored in a Netflix docuseries that chronicles the history of women in hip-hop. Ladies Firstdirected by Hannah Beachler, presents an interesting take on fight against discrimination and about the collective battle that many singers had.
During those years, many women began to criticize misogynistic views and use their music as a form feminist struggle. Talking about sex as a political act, rebelling against gender-based violence and promoting the concept body positivity.
Emergence of female voices in hip-hop against misogyny
Amid the denigrating music videos, misogynistic lyrics and toxic masculinity in the genre’s history, women have gone from being inattentive, from being unable to find their own space, to being a strong, free figure with new femininity. There are women in rap today, and in the music industry in general. master of your body and your own voice.
Female rappers like it Cardi B, Nicki Minaj or Missy Elliott now they are included in world rankings urban and hip-hop like real heroes. Despite the obstacles they have to overcome, they carry out a process of reappropriation of themselves and self-determination. This also goes through sexualizationwhich is taken from the hands of men by the victims themselves and used as a tool to fight a too long battle.
Today’s topic sexuality on the part of women this is actually a lot open and personal. Just like music videos Missy Elliott or explicit lyrics Foxy Brown. Or single WAP (wet ass pussy) released in 2020, by Carbi B AND Megan Thee Stallion where they freely glorify their own sexuality. Female rappers control themselves Liberty and create your own story. Some men are also active participants in this battle, e.g. Wu-Tang Clanwhich revises many old, overtly misogynistic texts in favor of more respectful texts, and also references feminist movements such as Me too.
IN Italy it was very difficult for women to get on stage rap, also insular and misogynistic. Over the years, only a few female artists have managed to break through, and men have always prevailed. But on the modern stage many women everything changes. Just think of names like Madam, Big Mama, Chadia Rodriguez, AnnaAll very young girls but firmly committed through their music deconstruction of unhealthy stereotypes.
sexism This is not a background problem, but something significant, the solution of which still requires commitment today. A critical problem which negatively affects not only the lives of women, but also the lives of men. Admit it too through music, will lead to a change in some misogynistic and patriarchal practices. Women in history teach us that by maintaining a certain style and urban language, we can talk about difficulties and injustice in different ways. without affecting the dignity of others.
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