We've discussed A LOT over these past few weeks. From "Do tha Homie!" to "4-inch f**k me heels," we had some eye-opening dialogues. In essence, we have "queered" certain dimensions of hip-hop by interrogating gender normative behaviors.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Unit III - Queering the Complexities of Hip-Hop Gender Identity
We've discussed A LOT over these past few weeks. From "Do tha Homie!" to "4-inch f**k me heels," we had some eye-opening dialogues. In essence, we have "queered" certain dimensions of hip-hop by interrogating gender normative behaviors.
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The lack of boundaries in hip-hop is disturbing because it causes aspiring artists to believe they must conform to one particular subject matter and leads listeners to believe that all hip-hop is the same. This era in rap we are exposed to now is the "hipster" and/or "trap" era. It is a normality to see emcees dress in peculiar fashions, such as animal prints, skinny jeans and other forms of clothing similar to those seen worn by women. It is also the norm to hear a majority of the artists in todays culture to rap about violence, guns, drugs, gang banging and other topics they may have no involvement in. It's disturbing because the dominance of this "trap" culture creates a box that aspiring artists feel as though they need to be in and why critics feel as though most of the present day music is trash and lacks diversity. Although there is a lot of "trash" floating around in our realm of hip-hop, it is important to know that quality still exists in artists such as J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and a plethora of others. Inversely however, fans have to like what they like and should not be criticized for it(unless it's complete and utter garbage). Which is why females should not feel hypocritical for listening to misogynistic lyrics. At the end of the day, music is music; composed of more than lyrical content. Why shouldn't a woman be able to enjoy the beats and melodies of a record while standing up for her rights to be respected as a queen?
ReplyDeleteThe lack of boundaries and restrictions is disturbing because I don't really think there are boundaries and restrictions in hip hop under any circumstances. Rappers these days rap about either drugs, violence, sex, or street living and that is what most people today are listening too! No matter who you listen to it all comes together because rap is rap and will continue to be rap. I agree above with Mr. Bryson that today's rap is "hipster" and "trap" music. The hipster is more of the style and the trap is more of the musical, lyrical aspect of it. Women should listen to music because that rap doesn't specifically point out any female. To me, the female can be referred to whatever they want to be referred too! In the music, the rappers aren't necessarily calling everyone or anyone "bitch," and/or "hoe." In some of Kevin Gates music, he says "bitch" and "hoe" as if that is HIS "bitch" or "hoe." No, women are not hypocrites because they listen to this music, why can't people enjoy the music for the beat or sound aspect instead of the lyrics. Sometimes I will play a song just because of the beat or sounds of that sounds. There is nothing wrong with that. I believe this is so troubling for the hip hop genre as compared to the funks, and blues and hard rocks because in those types of genres, its not hardcore or explicit as hip hop, and sometimes you don't even hear lyrics in funk music. Sometimes it is just a high tempo beat to what I know about funk. I feel as if each genre of music serves its own purpose. For example, funk, it is more for dancing and high beat places like a club or a party. Hip hop is just used for the lyrical aspect of the music that most people these days can relate to the most.
ReplyDeleteI believe the lack of boundaries and restrictions in hip-hop is disturbing to some individuals because it opens hip-hip up to be a mixture of many different types of people, styles and preferences. It gives people the opportunity to express themselves in ways that some people are not used to or comfortable with. For example, men wearing what would be considered "female attire", wearing their hair in certain styles, and writing or rapping certain lyrics that could be considered "suspect". The lack of boundaries and restrictions leaves no room for close mindedness in hip-hop. I don't see an issue with women who listen to artist or songs that refer to them in a disrespectful manner; however, I do see an issue with women who are okay with being called outside of their name in one specific occasion, yet are upset about it on other occasions. Women are okay when rappers refer to women as bitches and glamorize the artist, but in an argument with a male, the same woman will feel disrespected. Music is a form of art, so I think that it is okay for woman to enjoy whatever type of music they prefer. I don't think that listening to certain music makes a woman a hypocrite. I think this is a bigger issue in hip-hop than any other genre because of how up-front hip-hop music is. The artist will blatantly and unapologetically be disrespectful to women and whoever else. I also feel as if other genres of music do not belittle people, especially not their own people, in the way that hip-hop does.
ReplyDeleteI think the lack of boundaries or restrictions is disturbing to some in hip-hop discourse because there isn’t any filter. Hip-hop allows an individual to express themselves, typically in a way that makes society feel uncomfortable. Hip-hop has evolved in major ways over the past three decades. Before 1990 hip-hop was fun, innovative, conscious, political, and many other things; however, in the present, hip-hop has transformed into a musical genre that is filled with negativity, drugs, violence, and gangs. Before the 1990s, hip-hop artists voiced their opinions about politics and education through power and authority, while utilizing the trickster character. In contrast, the hip-hop artists from the 1990s until now, depict their dominance by forming this gangster persona, with an ego-driven and direct personality. The direct personality of hip-hop artists are allowing them to form their own identity through androgynous fashion like makeup, hairstyles, and clothing without being questioned. For instance, the sexuality of many artists like Andre 3000, Cee-Lo Green, and Snoop Dogg have have worn skirts, nail polish, maxi dresses, crop-tops, or flamboyant hairstyles. In my opinion, I think women should listen to music that refers to them as hoes and b**ches. It is hypocritical when the same women who idolize that type of music, take offense to the terms when another individual is referring to them. Even though many rappers use hoes and b**ches, their music is still being sold, they still have a fanbase, and they are still making a profit from the music. Music is a form of expression; therefore, if a woman enjoys Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nelly, J. Cole, Kanye, or Kendrick, it is their personal taste and they shouldn’t be judged or called a hoe or b**ch because of the type of music that intrigues them. This issue is troubling in the hip-hop genre because the lyrics are very hardcore and blunt; whereas, funk, rock, and blues don’t idolize or condone those terms as much as the hip-hop community.
ReplyDeleteLack of boundaries or restrictions is so disturbing to some in hip-hop discourse because it's starting this new era of thinking and behavior. It has even became a norm to see men dressing in woman fashion such as long t-shirts that resemble dresses, wearing skinny jeans and leather leggings. The hip-hop world is not used to seeing this. They're having to adjust to the change that is happening. How can one be rapping about violence, drugs and crime and wearing a dress with earrings? When it comes to women listening to music that refers to them as bitches I don't think that we should stop listening to the music. It's just a song with a catchy beat that we vibe to. It might be a little contradicting to be saying we don't want a guy or female to call us a bitch but here we are singing the lyrics to a song loud and proud and saying to our best friend " hey bitch". Hip-hop is so much more explicit than any other genre that's why I think it's much troubling. Any and everything can be said bluntly.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHip hop is a hyper masculine, male dominated, standoffish, lyrically driven genre. No other genre of music is the same. Country? Largely male, but huge female influences are encouraged and even preferred in a lot of instances and even when the men are singing, they’re often talking about their feelings. Blues? The music is the driving force for the most part. Long stretches of only the musical instruments being played are a staple of the genre and you don’t have to specifically be a male or a female to play an instrument. Talent determines respect. Funk? Women are a prime component of the funk genre, intermingling with the men easily and respectfully, simultaneously elevating through the ranks of success. Hard Rock though, to me, is just weird. Lots of screaming, lots of disturbing images, very in your face appearances, but a lot of their songs make you thing more like horror story, not reality. I don’t really understand them. Hip hop on the other hand, mingles very closely with reality. We can see direct correlation between what a rapper says and what we see in the community around us. The thing that makes the lack of boundaries in hip hop so disturbing is that the lack of boundaries they show in their music is being replicated here in the outside world. Men treating women like b*tches and hoes, men neglecting to show respect to others, men with hyper masculine and violence oriented mind sets are the typical norm nowadays, especially in the black community. This lack of boundaries is perpetuated on TV and Social media and is influencing all that it touches. Women being portrayed doing wearing certain things in these videos, mind you by the men’s suggestion, and then women out here copying those sexually provocative and “hoe” like images also feeds into the problem. The overall fact that hip hop feels has no reservations about putting a woman in a thong and parading her around like she’s an object strictly for the enjoyment of men, men not seeing the problem with that and allowing those views to be the precedent for which they model themselves after and then the women out here copying those women who are portrayed as the object of male enjoyment is what causes the problem. Other images of violence, drugs, murdering, guns, gangs, and the like are also a huge issue, especially since they tear down our own community. The lack of boundaries really allows for hip hop to just run wild over all morale and respectful values that people try instill in the young. Their prolonged exposure to such a harshly realistic genre makes it hard to build a strong morale foundation in the community and from that, stems a lot of our social issues.
ReplyDeleteMarcus Albert
ReplyDeleteI know this question's been asked before by at least someone but still you ask some women why they listen to rappers that talk down to women. Some of them will reply, "They ain't talking bout me!" Some women will proudly consider themselves b*****s and wear it as if it's a badge of honor as if there's nothing wrong. You have to separate music from reality.Keep in mind that this type of verbage sells records.Those women who where b***h as a badge probably have not been properly taught to behave like a woman. No respectable woman I know accepts a man or a woman calling them out of their name.It's part of society now but we tend to be laxed on our moral obligations.This problem is not going away anytime soon.Keep in mind its music but that's all some people know but some of females live their lives through the lyrics of an artist who at times don't even live by the "b***h"creed. It just makes them rich and famous. Pushing the boundaries for artistic expression has always been a part of popular music. The no boundaries and restriction that takes place within Hip-Hop discourse maybe the drive for profits pushing the boundary of what is acceptable. Hip hop has received criticism for lyrics with graphic references to drugs, sex, violence, and hate aimed at women and gays. The hip-hop game is solely ran by males compared to other music genres such as funk, country or hard rock.
I think a lack of boundaries or restrictions is so disturbing to some because being a artist trying to go mainstream with only certain amount of money in your pocket and people telling to write about certain topics.Big label industries only want to to sign to things that the now will sell. Music does not have a purpose anymore because the big man is controlling. I believe women can listen to music that refers to them not as women, but b**ches and hoes.I will not blame women for being oppressed by black men for so many decades. If you tell someone they name is ANN after a while they will believe that and say my name is ANN. I see violent language towards women the same way. I believe the change need to stop with who is allowing the limited topics being displayed in the music industry. So, no women are not hypocrites. they have limited the jobs women can do in the industry or the side jobs men cause women to do to get some where in life. Hip Hop and rap are serious hyper aggressive, emasculation trait, and hyper masculine. That's why it is so troubling for the hip-hop genre, and not other musical genres like funk, blues, or hard rock. Other genres of music are not know for being violent. Also, race to origin plays a big part of how people react to music that have violent language or words.
ReplyDeletehttps://kylaschnitter.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/queer-theory.jpg
This is Messiah Morgan Not sure why it showed up as my boyfriend.
DeleteI think a lack of boundaries or restrictions is so disturbing to some because being a artist trying to go mainstream with only certain amount of money in your pocket and people telling to write about certain topics.Big label industries only want to to sign to things that the now will sell. Music does not have a purpose anymore because the big man is controlling. I believe women can listen to music that refers to them not as women, but b**ches and hoes.I will not blame women for being oppressed by black men for so many decades. If you tell someone they name is ANN after a while they will believe that and say my name is ANN. I see violent language towards women the same way. I believe the change need to stop with who is allowing the limited topics being displayed in the music industry. So, no women are not hypocrites. they have limited the jobs women can do in the industry or the side jobs men cause women to do to get some where in life. Hip Hop and rap are serious hyper aggressive, emasculation trait, and hyper masculine. That's why it is so troubling for the hip-hop genre, and not other musical genres like funk, blues, or hard rock. Other genres of music are not know for being violent. Also, race to origin plays a big part of how people react to music that have violent language or words.
ReplyDeletehttps://kylaschnitter.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/queer-theory.jpg
The lack of boundaries in hip hop is disturbing because a lot of the material is offensive to a big demographic of hip hop consumers. In contrast, hip hop is a form of entertainment. So even though a lot of hip hop refers to women as bitches and hoes, it’s not hypocritical for women to listen to it. A women listening to music with lyrics she doesn’t agree with, doesn’t necessarily mean she supports the content. As a female I don’t agree with most of the music that I listen to. For me, my reasoning for listening to what I listen to is not about the lyrics. As I stated before it’s a form of entertainment. Hip hop has a hard time steering away from this degrading content because it’s a black male dominated industry. Unfortunately in black culture this content is entertaining. To most, the lyrics are taken lightly and are laughed at instead of being taken as hurtful. This type of content is also a trend in hip hop music. A lot of artists believe they have to conform to this subject matter in order to be successful in the industry. Other genres of music such as rock, and funk don’t have this trend. The artists of those genres are less likely to feel as if they need to stick to a certain subject in order to sell their music.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of boundaries in hip-hop is disturbing because hip Is a violently suggestive genre. Is doesn’t stop for no one and creates a sense of hostile that people cant shake no matter how friendly or nice the environment is. Specially in black communities. I think if a female want to listen to songs with people relating females as bitches and hoes they can, I don’t think it makes them a hypocrite but I understand they might like the way that artist present there music, beats and etc. At the end of the day they will say the rapper is not talking to them personally. Everyday females listen to music where there is a rapper calling females them types of names. This is troubling for hip hop and not no other genre because hip hop today is very blunt and expressive. In hip hop people are not scared to be speak their mind and say what they want how they want. There is no pause button or restrictions in this genre and it begins to make society like that and it turns out to be very negative.
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ReplyDeleteThe lack of boundaries and restrictions in Hip-Hop are disturbing to some people, mainly older people, because it gives new Hip-Hop artists room to show what they can bring to Hip-Hop. I would say that the most current issue that surrounds Hip-Hop now is the way that rap artists have started to dress. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with having your own style, but wearing female clothing is not the wave and it is not acceptable. Clothing items like dresses, skirts, skorts, leggings, earrings, crop tops, nail polish, etc. make many artists seem suspect. For example, my parents grew up during the Golden Age of Hip-Hop, and the artists that they were familiar with never wore such clothing. They were always clad in huge dookie chains, Kangol hats, baggy sweat suits, crewnecks, Letterman style jackets, etc. When the 2000’s rolled around, rap artists like Cam’ron started wearing color fur outfits, Jerseys, baggy jeans, construction Timberland boots, etc. Now, we have artists like Young Thug, Kanye West, and Andre 3000 wearing flamboyant clothing. This goes to show how the lack of boundaries in Hip-Hop causes major changes not only within the lines of fashion, but lyrically as well. Women are not hypocrites because of the type of music they choose to listen to. As a woman, I enjoy Hip-Hop because I know that whatever the rapper is saying doesn’t pertain to me. If other women take offense to it, then that’s on them. There are many female rappers that rap about the same content as male rappers, and people don’t seem to take offense to it. Why take offense when male rappers rap about it? I also agree with what Cody Jones said about Kevin Gates. Kevin does use the term “bitch” and “ho” loosely, but that’s just him. His music is still enjoyable. People should be able to listen to whatever they want without being judged. Musical genres like funk, blues, and even hard rock paved the way for Hip-Hop. These musical genres aren’t looked at as problematic because their lyrical content isn’t as blunt and explicit as Hip-Hop. The Blues and Hip-Hop are similar because they are the genres that focus on story-telling. The Blues achieves this by having somber lyrics and a melancholic beat, while Hip-Hop is more explicit and upbeat.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most disturbing restrictions of hip hop is the limitations it puts on black women. Black women can't live freely with out being labeled. Carefree, sexually liberated black women = hoe. Showing too much skin= hoe/b*tch. Going out every night = hoe or unlady-like. Hip hop culture should teach black man and women that we are equal and we can almost of the same things without putting a certain group down.
ReplyDeleteAlso I don't think it's hypocritical for women to listen to songs that degrade them. If you know you going to be listening to something ignorant it's ok to enjoy as long as you leave it at that. The real problem comes in when people believe these lyrics and think women are nothing but hoes and tricks and so on.
Also I feel like hip hop is seen as "troubling" because of the vulgarity, don't get me wrong some of it very violent but that's just the nature of it and some people don't know how to take it. A lot of genres talk about the same thing its just the tone, word choice and so on, in the way they articulate it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyCi9PEBqr0
I personally feel that some rappers agree of the different dress codes so they can stick out in the music industry. A lot of rappers are okay with dressing different and loves the attention that it brings. Many rappers change the name of certain accessories that females carry to make it drawn to men.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQqXuVkXjOo
I also personally feel that it is okay for females to listen to music that screams out bitches and hoes. At the end of the day it is just a song, and it is a marketing thing. I don't feel that they would be considered as hypocrites, because it is just a song. That's like you saying that every guy that hold's up a fake gun during their favorite song, all owns guns which is not true.
I also feel that this type of attention is only drawn to hip hop because other rappers make it known that wearing certain things is not in the normal for hip hop, so they draw attention to things like that. Instead of focusing on the music and accepting the difference in peoples style and how they would like to present their music. Hip hop is also known as that get loose music and express how you feel, compared to all the other genres their main focus is also storytelling but in a different way with different instruments. I look at it as a freedom to be able to do what you want to do, and to beat market sales you have to stand out from the crowd.
I will like to argue the idea that there is not a "lack" of restrictions in hip hop. I argue this because I believe hip hop now is restricted. Rappers feel like they are only limited to rapping about violence, sex and drugs. Not too many are conscious rappers or they start out conscious then squeeze into this typical box in order to make it mainstream. I also say it is restricted because there are a few gay underground rappers who want to become mainstream but due to the restrictions such as having to be overly masculine and only have heterosexual sex, some rather not classify as the "gay rapper",which I believe to be because they want to fit in. If there were not as many restrictions to "how to be a hip hop artist" there would be more variety in the genre. Personally, I listen to music that degrades women for the simple fact that it is entertainment. Me and my friends use the b**** and h** word often when joking, so to me this word is never taking seriously. I do not think music in general was created to intentionally offend another unless clearly stated in the lyrics of a rap battle. In all honestly, most of these artist do not do nor even believe what they say themselves.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjUy4O3vezLAhWE1CYKHSfeC1wQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.quotehd.com%2Fquotes%2Fjerry-harrison-musician-quote-music-has-become-a-bigger-business-and-with-that-there&psig=AFQjCNHl5C7Aew0atp9sUpog2kWqiiKFHw&ust=1459567076628747
Charlie jones
ReplyDeleteThe restrictions on hip-hop are very slim able to speak what's going on with no filter about sex , drugs , alcohol , murder . Profanity sometimes bashing women by calling them a " bitch or hoe" i don't think that women are hypocrites for listening to the music but if it bothers you don't listen to that artist but almost nobody refers to a female in the rap genre as anything but a Bitch which in my eyes is not right but it works for the music and the way the dressing style has changed more to a unique style to grab more attention toward the artist to sell record toto sell more records wearing clothes way to tight for the body type hipster like threads is the style now in most the rap scenes
Women can be hypocrites for a lot of things, but in my opinion, listening to music that refers to women as "bitches and hoes" is not one of them. There are many songs where a woman is called "a bitch" or a "hoe", and I think many of the songs sound great and I like to chime in on my favorite part and dance to it. The way some women and many others see it is that the rappers are calling Bitches and Hoes, "bitches and hoes".They aren't calling me a Bitch or a Hoe because I'm not a bitch or hoe; because I am not referred to, answer to, or respond to being called a bitch or a hoe. Women should not be considered hypocrites for listening to these kind of songs because they can listen to them but still think very strongly and positively of themselves and other women. At the end of the day lyrics express emotions and experiences, and males and females can relate to wanting to call someone a bitch or a hoe. When it comes to the lack of restrictions and boundaries in hip-hop discourse, it is disturbing because many artist try different things like wearing clothing the same as the opposite sex, trying to standout and set a trend. Sadly, the people that listen to their music or are trying to keep up with the latest trend, they go and start wearing the same thing and are so easily influenced. This scares me because this means that a popular hip hop artist could wake up tommorow and decide that he thinks it's cool to put his girlfriend in a music video wearing a dog collar, and the next thing you know, females are out here in the real world wearing dog collars like we're these niggas pets. It really makes me think, if Nicki Minaj wore a dog collar in one of her videos, don't you think some girls out here would go buy one just because Nicki had it on, not even think about what it may symbolize. I think that it is troubling for hip hop to get away with these kinds of things because it influences our teens today the most out of any genre. It is constantly sold to them through the radio, on tv, and at every party. It is considered popular and as a normality in their lives. Whereas many other genres don't have as much of an effect and are not as explicit.
ReplyDeletehttp://gu.com/p/xtzyd/sbl
ReplyDeleteI think the lack of boundaries in hip hop, may cause further issues more in the future than right now. Old school jams, old school meaning R&B and Hip Hop before my age, I'm 21, hinted more at sex and violence. While music now is straightforward and in your face. You know what they are talking about. Even Cassie's song 'Me and You' which was super sexual, me at my age when the song came out, did not realize that's what it meant. But now my little sister who is 11 can hear a Nicki Minaj song, and look at me like saying "ew" because she knows exactly what Nicki Minaj means. But the restrictions are just with music or hip hop, children start seeing sexual images at an earlier age. So they recognize that a song or movie is alluding to sex, or "adult situations". Faster than I did, when I was a child, and much faster than my parents. Me, I love a good "twerk" song. It gets me hype and in the mood to party. And none of those songs are referring to me as a woman, but as a sexual object to sit back and watch me shake what they think is my best ASSest. I think, however, I can separate myself from the music as long as when I'm done dancing and back on my Lauryn Hill, they can still respect me as a WOMAN. I want to be able to sexual and sexy, wear my 4 inch fxck me heels, but when the lights come up and I have on my respectable grown woman shoes, to be respected as much. I don't agree with it being hypocritical because I think being a hypocrite involves pushing a view on someone you may believe but don't follow yourself. While I love my "twerk" music and "gangsta rap", I also love the conscious rappers and artist who take me on a journey of realization. Listening to my "twerk" music I sometimes hear a voice and go no he didn't just say that. But I continue dancing to because I would never let a man OR woman say something disrespectful to my face. I think it is more troubling in the Hip Hop world because it surrounds mostly Black Women. Black Women who are the bottom of the totem pole anyway, in society eyes. Stereotypes of Black Women are much more harsh than those of other races. A Black Woman's anger is seen as too much to handle but a Hispanic Woman's anger is seen as sexy. Black Women struggle to be taken serious by Black Men alone without even worrying about another race. That is what I believe.
ReplyDeleteI believe the lack of boundaries are disturbing to many in hip-hop discourse because often people come from different back grounds and views of how life is and what it should be. Hip hop to me seems to be intertwined with myriad of complexing boundaries and restrictions that have made me do more than ponder within self! But also critically think about society, politics, economics, and the evolution in mankind’s consciousness. From the birth of Hip-Hop to the rapid hybridization of Rap, I see a lasting culture branching off of the novelty and wisdom of ancestral roots. Even though the disturbing part is often related to the new era of rap with a sense of hypermanic symptoms, (hyper-sexual hyper-masculine hyper-vigilant) I thought it was really interesting in class discussion; the violence inferred in the latter 80’s in contrasted to a direct violence conveyed in the latter 90’s and perhaps the directness towards violence is not being familiar with it. Which makes sense of why the lyrics “go HARD”. I can’t help to be disturbed by the newer era sense of psychosis (a disconnection in reality). But most importantly I believe it is imperative to keep in mind socially and economically this Genre of music has been insidiously sold out by politics, (White owns hip-hop) as we seen in the video Beyond Beats and Rhymes. Dr. Neal states in the documentary “There are only certain blackness will flow throw these spaces” as he critically examines current people conformity to this position despite their indifference to the "limited blackness" but unwillingness to irritate confounds.
ReplyDeleteSo as a woman should we listen to music that stereotypes us as a Bitch and Hoe? Personally I can’t take it, however I can relate with my current posing dilemma. Call my home girl a bitch? or not? Yes, I do realize this is a perfect example of macro-aggression. The word bitch is dehumanizing because it originates to deliberately dehumanize women. However, there are arguments that suggest we as women should reclaim the word Bitch because the power and authority. I simple disagree because the word does not derive from a woman but a dog, so there is nothing to reclaim. But I still call my home girl my Bitch? Am I hypocrite? Of course I’d really like to think otherwise. Dr. Jackson mentioned “the oppositional glaze” in our class discussion that caught my attention because of my personal issue. Out of curiosity I was able to pull up chapter seven by bell hooks, as I read it I begin to redefine and reclaim not the word but the opposing perspective. One quote from the chapter “not only will I stare, I want my look to change reality” it challenges the system of power and dominance, suggesting that power is resisting the opposing view.How incredibly brilliant? Am I a hypocrite if I have justification and a strong sense of resistance? Genuinely I call my home girl a Bitch, because I know there is a level of endearment, vulnerability, and authentic-ness, which I know cannot simply be replicated. Not just anyone can call her a bitch, because the meaning would really mean you’re dehumanizing her. Relating this to music lyrics I can understand how some may find empowerment, sensuality, or plain out believe it’s not them there calling Bitches and Hoes. But there is still a posing conundrum for me because of the desensitization of our impressible youth.
I think the troubles that hip-hop have, is because of the unapologetic energy it possess. I believe this is what makes Hip-Hop revered by many. People have Hip-Hop for an outlet mostly to relate and maintain survival in such a cool and expressive way. Although funk, blues, and hard rock had its moments it never really was a diverse as Hip-Hop and resonating with so many different backgrounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLPvmwfklp8
Many people are disturbed by the lack of boundaries in hip hop because it is misleading to society. The vulgarity and derogatory language often used by rappers is now molding the behavior or young men and women. I disagree that we should put limitations on hip hop because it would change the true essence of what hip hop is. As a women, I not only have hear but also rapped alone to songs that some people would find disrespectful towards women. I personally don't take offense when men refer to women as bitches and hoes simply because I am aware of who and what I am. We shouldn't get upset at males when they use these terms because we have allowed them to continuously demean us and we refuse to standing up for ourselves. I don't feel that women who listen to these songs are hypocrites and if they are men should be considered hypocrites too. Hip hop is broader then the other genres of music which makes it harder to place limitations on it. The essence of what hip hop is was founded through diversity and as it continues to expand it will grow harder to limit hip hop.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNC7njxRuRk
Women talk to men of hip hop. Its not the clearest video but it addresses many of the questions of why men think its okay to use these terms to describe women. will have to eventually skip to 2:17
When I Think of boundaries and or restrictions in Hip-Hop I believe the are present but lack being enforced. To what extinct would anyone believe that these multimillion dollar companies would consider changing the way business is currently done. Honestly I believe in the motto if its not broke, why fix it. Thinking outside the box a little should be very easy in this case. whether you choose to listen to explicit lyrical Hip-Hop or not should be solely on you, right? Maybe. In ol school way of doing things you are what you eat, in other words the people you hang around the things you do and yes the music you listen to all reflect on your characteristics as a person. whether you agree to the lyrics that are coming thru your radio speakers or not. Personally I listen to vulgar Hip-Hop at times, but as I've gotten older it feels awkward to certain lyrics I once might of enjoyed. This I believe comes with a type of maturity I would say. Nevertheless If a woman does choose to listen to lyrics that consider herself a bitch or hoe, honestly I have sisters which are both now church girls, did they listen to that music in the past ...sure. But If you commit to change then old things should be new. Therefore you cannot straddle the fence.
ReplyDeleteI personally think homoeroticism is a very taboo subject in the hip hop culture. Even though it should be to each its own. It can't be because our young African American youth is being influenced in a negative way. This is evident in everything today from how they dress to how they dance. African-American males went from wearing shirts and pants that were too big to wearing shirts and pants that are too small. One of the most popular dances out right now called Hit the Quan resembles a man hitting it from the back or doggy style which is a sexual position performed mainly by homosexual males. My four-year-old think that's one of the coolest dances ever and I have such a big problem with him doing it. Which made me question the type of music I listen to and expose my children to in the first place. I love a good beat and lyrics to match. But sometimes a really good beat will have you bobbing your head to some nonsense. Now when it comes to my adult life I can't lie I love the strippers songs. One of the best ways to spice up a relationship is to give your husband a little private show. On the flip side when I hear my 6 and 4 year old son singing the lyrics to the song and in public it becomes embarrassing. As a mother how could I fully teach my boys how to respect women if I listen to music that does the very opposite. In that perspective I do feel like a hypocrite because a part of me likes it even though I know it's not right. I think homosexuality has been a taboo subject for years and recently everyone seems to be coming out and becoming more comfortable with it. In the African American culture weather root of Hip Hop started homosexuality still really isn't acceptable and ask her right now they will behead you if they knew you were gay. Especially sense most of the hardcore rappers portray themselves to be thugs which are the same type of men most women lust after. Ask any black woman and I'm pretty sure they'll say if a man going to cheat on them they'd rather it be with a woman than a man so just thinking of the possibility that most of our beloved rappers are bisexual if not just fully homosexual is scary! The multi-media I chose is a YouTube video talking a little bit about homoeroticism in the hip hop culture. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cpn6I1EDogc
ReplyDeleteI think the lack of boundaries is so disturbing in hip hop discourse now because it is so straightforward. Like the discussion we had in class about the old school 80's rappers, they would hint at an issue or a person that they were talking about, but from the 90's to the 2000's, and even currently today they put the directly say what they are talking about. For instance when Dr. J brought up the Nas and Jay-Z beef. I remembered that song because my brother had the album and he was only 13 years old. By us living in the same house of course I heard it too, and I was only 8 years old. I think that artists should consider using boundaries especially when the people buying the album are all ages. However todays times kids are growing up way faster than my generation did. For myself when I was in middle school yes I loved listening to Juvenile-back that azz up, Big tymers, Lil Kim and all that, but my parents had better not heard me listening to it. But today when I see my little cousins around the age of 13 listening to "todays" sexual music and hype music as well talking about sex it is kind of disturbing, and the fact that they are so blunt with it where as when I was their age I had to hide it. I feel that women listening to music that refers to them as bitches and ho's, isn't really being a hypocrite. Similar to what Joan Morgan said in her interview how she would be blasting Biggie down the street, but she is a strong feminist. I don't think you listening to the music that categorizes women in that sense is wrong. In my house my parents have always listened to several genres of music, because the simple fact that they respect different selections. I took on that same role as well, I love me some Jay-Z, and boy does he use that word a lot, but in different senses. Even Beyoncé that is my favorite artist EVER, she as well is a feminist ... but does use the word bitch in her songs sometimes. I think its more troubling for the hip hop genre more than others because this genre is mainly black men and black women, and the fact that wee are much more explicit than any other genre. We have no fear to take it to the next level in music, which could be looked at as a good thing or a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the lack of boundaries in hip hop is disturbing people because a lot of what they see or hear is always the mainstream rap about guns, violence, women, and drugs. It's disturbing because the youth mostly listen to hip hop and a lot idolize these rappers and mimick what they do. For example like in class when we watch the boondocks how Riley was copying everything ganstalious did because he looked up to them. What also distrubs people is that with all the mainstream hits being just twerk songs, dance songs, or just pointless raps about money, drugs, and women; that the direct of hip hop looks bleak and that's what distrubs people because everyone will just be pretty much copying each other and we'll lose the diversity in hip hop. And the diversity is what makes hip hop unique and different from other genres of music.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/zW6tpk0uquw
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ReplyDeleteThe lack of boundaries or restrictions is so disturbing to some in hip-hop discourse because they don't understand the true meaning of hip-hop. Hip-hop was developed as a self-expressive art form used as a muse for the youth of New York to voice their opinions and stories about their struggles. For some, the truth is too gruesome or too honest, too this or too that. Regardless, hip-hop is and has always been an avenue of creativity and freedom of speech, and for some, posing restrictions or boundaries would put a cap on the creativity, the networking, and fellowship that ensues within the hip-hop community. As such, since its beginning, hip-hop has been questioned whether it is too much for society and continually, hip-hop has won that battle. The people that wish for restrictions and boundaries need to better educate themselves on what hip-hop is, what hip-hop does for society, and how much adding restrictions or boundaries to the art would hinder its progress.
ReplyDeleteIn some instances I believe that every woman should have the right to define themselves as she wishes, but in the same regard, I do grow confused if a woman calls herself a feminist, suggests society establish a level of equality between the genders, but agrees with the degrading music that simply makes her fight harder by listening to it. As much as I would love to stand alongside Joann Morgan and fight for gender equality with her, I don't think I can. I also don't think that listening to the music from the men that degrade and devalue her by calling women (bitches and hoes), Joann Morgan included because she self-identifies as a woman, makes her argument any clearer. I'm confused just as much as I'm sure others are as to what she really wants. I can see her point that she should just simply be able to do as she pleases the same as a man and not be hindered from it because she is a woman, but in the same capacity, I think she is delusional, not so much a hypocrite, and only fighting a losing battle if she thinks that her methods will be effective to being taken seriously by society and the men that already think less of her. As such, if women want to be called queens and treated as such, they have to present themselves as such in every capacity and they should start by listening to music that doesn't seek to demean, devalue or degrade them or their daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts, or grandmothers by referring to all women as bitches and hoes.
The issues of the hip-hop community portrayed through hip-hop music are only found in the hip-hop genre and not other musical genres like funk, blues, or hard rock because hip-hop is like the football and basketball of the music world. Hip-hop is like a contact sport, so to speak. The words used in hip-hop and how they are used have a history and they are most often meant to hit hard whether they are directed at someone or just to create a certain feeling. Most often we find the words that make hip-hop music explicit as the words that hit us the hardest and aid in delivering some of the hardest hitting messages. No other genres are as straightforward about their intentions or meanings as much as hip-hop is. Hip-Hop was developed without a filter and as such, as the times change the idea of hip-hop without a filter and a breeding ground for freedom of speech still remains. Funk, country, blues, and hard rock may curse here and there but they are mostly about the music where hip-hop was often supposed to be about the message. So where hip-hop and rappers fight with their words, funk, country, blues, and hard rock artists simply express themselves to long lost lovers, dead parents, exes, etc without the explicit content of how you took someone's girl and forced her to perform fellatio (just an example).
The lack of boundaries in hip-hop is disturbing people in a big way because of the route that hip-hop has taken. Now days people listen to rap and all they hear in the songs are things such as violence, drugs, sex, money, and women. This is such a big deal because a lot of kids look up to these rappers as they are successful people so they try to act or follow what they do, which isn’t always the best. At the end of the day people don’t really see that there are still rappers out there that have talent. I don’t think that women should listen to the music that refer to them as “hoes” or “bitches” because outside of the music world if someone where to call them that they wouldn’t take it in the same way. I don’t think they are hypocrites for listening to it though because at the end of the day it is music and you like what you like. This is the biggest issue in hip-hop than any other genre because hip-hop is so up front and people feel the need that they have to dis the other person to get back at them as I feel like there not so much hate against one other in other genres.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ssh_fc4Ayw