Professional Documents
Culture Documents
by D. Robinson
revised by ME
"I said a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie/To the hip hip-hop, and you don't stop/
The rock it to the bang-bang, boogie say "up to jump"/ The boogie to the rhythm of the
boogie, the beat/ Now, what you hear is not a test/ I'm rappin' to the beat/ And me,
the groove, and my friends are going to try to move your feet," these lyrics said in 1979.
(Katel 2007). "Hip-hop is a cultural movement that began with four elements: MCing
(rapping), DJing, graffiti art, and breaking (break dancing)," says Katel. Hip-hop began
as a form of empowerment for impoverished black communities. Hip-hop has evolved
since then, from "hard-driving dance numbers" to sex and violence-filled "gangsta rap"
(Katel 2007). Hip-hop lyrics influence how Black women are perceived and how they
perceive 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.
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
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 should be treated like ladies. It also emphasizes that women were created to
serve as more than just sex toys for males.