Misogyny

Pardon the pun, but when it comes to degrading and sexist representations of women in music, does hip hop deserve its bad rap? Almost exclusively blamed for the negative images of women in music videos, hip hop is often perceived as unforgivingly misogynistic.

In hip hop and rap, many of the lyrics and images portray women of all ethnicities as sexual objects and depict the exploitation of and violence against women. The image of dozens of semi-naked women dancing provocatively around one blinged-out rapper has become standard in music videos. Similarly, pimps have morphed from abusive, controlling and criminal men to trendy, stylish icons. Hip hop has become a mess of unrealistic and arguably dangerous images of female sexuality.

Ludacris’ song and video “Pimping All Over the World” is a good example of misogyny (hatred towards women) in hip hop. The lyrics list women off like possessions: “The fancy cars, the women and the caviar.” Further, the singer dismisses the woman’s protests that he uses her for sex by saying that he takes her places. Ludacris raps, “[…]don’t always think I’m tryna get in your pants, cause see me my Pimpin’s in 3-D, I’m takin you places you only see on T.V.” It’s clear that sex is just something else to buy and that the woman is just as easily discarded. The lyrics explain the harsh reality: “[…] it’s plenty women to see, so if yo ass don’t show up it’s more women for me.”

Some defend the sexism in hip hop as being part of the hip hop artist’s life. If hip hop artists are representing their cultural reality, I wonder why there are so many videos featuring several scantily-clad women dancing provocatively around a male artist. I find it hard to believe that any hip hop artist grew up or lives in that reality. So, how did this image become the accepted standard of hip hop music’s video format? DeVone Holt, author of Hip Hop Slop: the Impact of a Dysfunctional Culture, speaks of the declining quality of hip hop artistry: “ They’ve surrendered their authentic artistic traits and settled for the less demanding challenge of selling sex” (qtd. in USA Today). The motivating factor that leads to the distorted representation of women in music videos is, of course, the all-mighty dollar. Whether this is the artist’s decision or the record company’s is another question to consider.

The glamorized pimp has also become central to hip hop culture, but inaccurately reflects the occupation and reinforces a dangerous sexist relationship between men and women. The pimp is someone that subordinates women, limiting their financial independence and exploiting women as a sexual commodity to be bought and sold. Yet, Nelly markets “Pimp Juice,” a neon green energy drink, and 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg released a song titled “P.I.M.P.” When a hip hop artist takes on this role, he not only continues to spread negative beliefs about women, but he also makes it cool. The hip hop obsession with pimps celebrates the pimp as a smooth-talking, hip-dressing figure, who is the embodiment of power and a pop culture icon. But being a pimp is not a glamorous occupation and the hip-hop representation of pimps ignores the criminality and cruelty of the profession. In reality, pimps are violent, oppressive and criminal, exploiting women and girls for sex and money.

Despite the current popularity of the pimp and the sexism present in hip hop, neither of these are specific to the black community; misogyny is not a problem exclusive to any one racial or cultural group. Well-known feminist scholar bell hooks illustrates this issue, noting that misogyny in hip hop music is a matter of important concern due to the sexist depictions of women and the exploitative and violent way in which women are represented in the songs