Queen Latifah Song Analysis

Female rappers do not like identifying as feminist. The word feminism carries a negative connotation because people mistake it as women having resentment and hatred towards men. In her essay, “Bad Sisters: Black Women Rappers and Sexual Politics in Rap Music”, Tricia Rose defines a feminist as someone who “believed that there was sexism in society, wanted to change and worked toward change. Either wrote, spoke, or behaved in a way that was pro-woman…”(176). She continues by stating that, “[a]feminist feels that women are more disadvantaged than men in many situations and would want to stop that kind of inequality (176). Although Salt “N” Pepa do not identify as feminist, they are pro-woman and seek to empower their female audience. By using

The essay, “From Fly-Girls to Bitches and Hos,” discusses the pervasive misogyny found in hip-hop lyrics.The author, Joan Morgan, argues that by comprehending what is occurring in the hip-hop culture to generate

Joan Morgan, a self proclaimed feminist, loves the power that rap and hip hop offers. Joan, also a music writer, is exceptionally troubled by the disrespect of women in not only in the musical lyrics but also the music videos. In the June 1990 edition of Ebony Magazine, Charles Whitaker wrote an editorial addressing the problems American culture brought on by the hip hop industry. Even though, his editorial was published in the 1990’s, it is extremely clear Charles Whitaker saw the negativity brought along with “The Hip Hop and Rap Revolution.” Both authors loved the powerful energy the new hip hop movement brought along with its beginnings, dating back to the mid to late 1970’s. With that being said, the two authors, both had one recurring theme within their respective works, the evolution of hip hop and rap. In other words, both Joan Morgan and Charles Whitaker addressed the issues brought on by the change in the rap and hip hop industry over its short exists. Change is the absolute most constant thing in our world, whether it is positive or negative change that is uncertain, in both of the articles that change in hip hop and rap is demonstrated

Latifah, presumably, denounces her role in the stereotype of the young, single, black mother, proclaiming that she is “livin’ positive/Not out here knocked up”. She later attacks the stigma surrounding black women on welfare, how they’re shamed

In the essay, “Hip-Hop’s Betrayal Of Black Women”(221), by Jennifer McLune, she vents her feelings regarding hip-hop songs that are rhythmically diminishing the value of black women. She provides example on how the lyrics are being voiced and how hip-hop artists do not seem to care. Kevin Powell in “Notes of a Hip Hop Head” writes, “Indeed, like rock and roll, hip-hop sometimes makes you think we men don’t like women much at all, except to objectify them as trophy pieces or, as contemporary vernacular mandates, as baby mommas, chicken heads, or bitches” (221). There have been apologizes for what the rappers have said but nothing to resolve the dehumanization of black women. McLune informs the readers that hip-hop singers belittle black women and make them invisible. Jay-Z, a popular hip-hop artist is brought to center stage by McLune. The essay shows the example of a part of Jay-Z song that says, “I pimp hard on a trick, look Fuck if your leg broke bitch hop on your good foot” (222). This lyric is a perfect example of how hip-hop artist have no remorse in the words they sing. The hurt feelings and loss of self-esteem black women suffer, is of no concern to the rappers. McLune expresses that those who are underground hip-hop artist follow the footsteps on being sexist and using crude words in their lyrics just because they yearn and dream of being in the spotlight. Upcoming rappers want to be loved like Jay-Z and other famous notorious rappers.

The Hip Hop music industry is infamous for being controversial. In the article Hip Hop’s Betrayal of Black Women there’s a debate on whether the exploitation and constant verbal slander of women should be acceptable just because it sales records. It presents the question that why is it that male poverty breeds sexism? Even though women may have lived in the same environment males still see women as the enemy in their music in an effort to sell records.

There are so many people in this world with no money; some of these people have the talent who also respect their money. Lorde is one of those people; her real name is Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O'Connor. She expresses in her song “Royals” she was not a wealthy person, and goes off to explain that she wants to rule the celebrities themselves because she thinks she is better than them. In her song, Lorde uses examples of a celebrity life style to criticize celebrity culture, and she claims she will not result to their culture because she was raised differently.

Tupac addresses both women and men in this first verse. His first point is to empower woman and let them know that they should be treated with respect. When they’re able to realize this they need to get out of any situation where a man is mistreating them. Once they’ve realized they’re worth more they’ll recognize their capable and strong enough to do anything on there own (like raise a child) without a man, especially one who disrespects them. Men are also addressed in the song as he encourages them to change they’re ways. Issues such as abortion, welfare, single parenting and rape are brought up in this verse. These are all heavy issues that directly affect women ultimately because of men, and certainly cause hardships in there lives. He

An example of sexism in “HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats & Rhymes” is when rapper Nelly takes a credit card and slides it down a women’s buttocks. This is very demeaning to women because it shows a person as an object rather than a human being. The action that Nelly takes part in is almost like he is saying that a women is worth no more than a credit card machine. This goes back to the objectification of women, seeing them as tools of pleasure. Byron Hurt also shows how every day fans of hip-hop treat women in a negative way as well.

Women have decided to consume hip hop regardless of the sexism and machismo of their rap artist spouses. Historically, black women who have sex with other women haven’t been recognized in the Black community. Also, the expectations are the same in hip hop culture because men reject lesbians. An example is the murder in 2003 of Sakia Gunn after she declared her lesbian identity to a group of males. We all know that in hip hop culture men predominate and precisely masculine. Women can achieve a higher professional success than men regarding no matter their sexual orientation. In other hand, women represent different controlling images like the whore, the mammy and temptress. Homophobia in hip hop is translated into forms of oppression, discrimination and violence for gays, lesbians and transgender. “Black women rappers interpret and articulate the fears, pleasures, and promises of young black women whose voices have been relegated to the margins of public discourse.” Their voices are in constant dialogue with the public and men rappers about sexual promiscuity, emotional commitment, infidelity, the drug trade, racial politics and black cultural history. If we pay close attention to female rappers, we will notice that they address questions of sexual power, economic opportunities and the pain of racism and sexism. Women rappers has been promoted as sexually progressive, antisexist voices because of “an understanding of male rappers as uniformly sexist.” Discussions of women

Although the genre of music is fairly new, the idea of rap is very old. What is classified as rap and hip-hop music was created thousands of years ago. Ancient African storytellers or “groits” used handmade instruments while communicating their stories in a fashion similar to what is seen as modern day rap music. The concept of speaking over music is rap music in its most rudimentary form. Rap has been created to provide an outlet for individuals to expose injustices, the artist’s thoughts and feelings of oppression, and their reaction to a dominant culture. They present those ideas in an artistic medium to a wide audience, those within their community and those far from it. Most commonly, rap aims to expose and comment on socio-political injustices, nationalism, or self-esteem. The rap genre was originally created by men, however female involvement; Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah and MC Lyte were some of the first female rappers, emerging on the previously male dominated scene in the 1980’s. Although the genre is typically male dominated, the involvement of women is bringing a new perspective and vision to the genre, instead of using blatant machismo, their life experiences as women are tied throughout their lyrics.

These types of women are typically disregarded as “hoes” in hip-hop culture so Trina employing this script to create rap music had the potential to be a targeted

In Joan Morgan’s article “Fly-Girls, Bitches and Hoes: Notes of a Hip Hop Feminist”, she shows the way rap music has changed through it popularity. The widespread appreciation of rap had negative impacts upon the black community. Morgan talks about this through her Feminist point of view. She focuses the topic on what rap music says about the African American culture in Hip Hop. Rap music and Hip Hop were invented through the pain of African Americans. Hip Hop and the Rap industry use sexism and machoism to express the long years of oppressive pain they went through by the hands of the white people. Especially for the black brothers who continue that oppression by using provocative words that degrade the black sisters. Morgan states that blame isn’t only on the brothers

Throughout this semester, we’ve looked at different artists and their music. Much of hip hop and rap isn’t exactly woman friendly, and some could be called misogynist. This summer, a new rapper called Fetty Wap came onto the scene with his unexpected hit song “Trap Queen”, an ode to his significant other, who he pledges allegiance to, going on to say that she’s the love of his life and will get rich along with him by being his partner in the drug business. MC Lyte even calls him a “hip hop feminist”, saying that "He may have a very unique way of presenting his ideas, but he does love women". While Fetty Wap is part of a tradition of a select few hip hop artists who pen romantic odes (think Ja Rule, LL Cool J, and the Cash Money Millionaires),

Lauryn Hill was and still is an iconic individual of the African American Hip Hop genre. She is known for her enlightening lyrics and historical puns that resonate with her listeners. During a time where blacks were being served with the injustice of society and being defied the moral code of citizenship, Ms. Hill released a song-like poem that not only told our story but spread the message of frustration and struggle so those without a voice can be heard. “Mystery of Iniquity” is poem that transcribes three main topics and unifies