Women are portrayed in a misogynistic manner in rap music. Regardless of the reasons people use for this negative representation, it is still occurring in today’s society. From how far feminist movements and women’s rights have come, it is befuddling as to why women are still portrayed in rap music through this way, especially because “[g]angsta rap music continues to teach, promote, and glamorize violence and misogyny” (Armstrong 96). This promotion is caused by gender roles that are still playing a large part in how our society and culture evolve. These expected gender roles explain why women are still undermined, and why they are expected to accept demeaning positions, especially in rap music.
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| Figure 1: Rapper Snoop Dogg holding chains around two women's necks down the red carpet. |
There is a trend in the depiction of women in rap music. In the article “The Words Have Changed but the Ideology Remains the Same: Misogynistic Lyrics in Rap Music” Terri M. Adams and Douglas B. Fuller explain that there are several themes that rap trends follow. These include “derogatory statements about women in relation to sex…statements involving violent actions toward women, particularly in relation to sex…characteristics of women as ‘users’ of men” (Adams and Fuller 940). There is a common idea in these trends: sex. Whether it is men using women merely for sex, or women using sex to obtain a man’s money, this negative ideology stems from sex. Men use the concept of sex to explicitly rap about inflicting sexual acts upon women, or try to portray women as gold diggers who use men solely for their money. Sex is used as a symbol for men’s superiority over women, and to show women as submissive to men.
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| Figure 2: Rapper Ludacris's Album cover. He is about to bite into a woman's leg, illustrating that she is nothing but a piece of meat to him. |
One consequence to this portrayal of women is that it provides the listener with these belittling views of women (940). The music industry and the Internet have grown so large that anyone can listen to music, no matter where they are. This means that people around the world are listening to this derogatory representation of women. Our society is negatively impacted because so many people are exposed to such extreme lyrics. For example, in Edward G. Armstrong’s article, “Gangsta Misogyny: A Content Analysis of the Portrayals of Violence Against Women in Rap Music”, he explains that this type of music is associated with violence and misogyny. He also explains how “violence and criminality are linked” in rap music (Armstrong 96). If these rappers are respected and idolized by fans, then their fans will likely believe that violence and criminality are acceptable. Today’s youth are growing up with idols that nonchalantly rap about statutory rape, battering, and other excessive abuse, and this will create social problems for our society. Armstrong explains that social problems have been linked to rap music’s foundational period (96). If this type of music continues, it is only going to leave this society with more social dilemmas because “research confirms that listening to gangsta rap music motivates sexual aggression” (98). More sexual aggression means that more violent acts will occur against women due to the influence of rap music.
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| Figure 3: Video clip from Nelly's "Tip-Drill" Video. |
The objectification of women is popular in rap songs and videos. In the article “Sexism in Rap Sparks Black Magazine to say, ‘Enough!’”, Liza Weisstuch discusses a video for rapper Nelly’s song “Tip-Drill”. Nelly “goes so far as to portray scantily clad women as sexual appliances” (Weisstuch 1). This distasteful ideal is the epitome of the rap industry’s opinion of women. They are branding women as sexual objects for men’s usage. An appliance is something used only when temporarily desired, and its sole purpose is to perform what its operator wants it to. This is what women are being compared to in this music video. The typical gender role of a woman is being a homemaker. This includes serving her husband, like an appliance would. Nelly’s “Tip-Drill” video is therefore reinforcing these typical gender roles into society.
Our society portrays women negatively, especially in the rap industry. It would be a challenge to listen to the top 40 radio or music videos without hearing a song about women and sex being used in a negative way. There are many examples of this misogyny occurring, even though women have struggled for equality. By allowing this type of music and what it represents to be played all over the world will influence future generations into believing in these stereotypical gender roles. It is reinforcing the thought that women’s only use is for sex or temporarily satisfying a man’s needs. By instilling these ideas, women will be faced with many more challenges in the future.
Work Cited
Adams, Terri M. and Fuller, Douglas B. “The Words Have Changed but the
Ideology Remains the Same: Misogynistic Lyrics in Rap Music.” Journal of Black
Studies. Vol. 36, No. 6 (Jul. 2006). 938-957. Sage Publications Inc. Web 30 Nov. 2010. < http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/stable/40034353?seq=3&Search=yes&term=music&term=women&list=hide&searchUri=/action/doBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dwomen%2Bin%2Bmusic%26wc%3Don%26acc%3Don&item=4&ttl=122248&returnArticleService=showFullText&resultsServiceName=null>.
Armstrong, Edward G. “Gangsta Misogyny: A Content Analysis of the Portrayals of
Violence Against Women in Rap Music.” Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture. (2001). 96-126. Web Dec. 5 2010. < http://www.albany.edu.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol8is2/armstrong.html>
Weisstuch, Liza. “Sexism in Rap Sparks Black Magazine to say, ‘Enough!’” Christian
Science Monitor. (2005). LexisNexis Academic. Web 30 November 2010. <http://www.lexisnexis.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/?>.
(Figure 3) April 21 2009. <http://aratliff.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/hip-hop-and-
women/>.
(Figure 1 and Figure 2). April 17 2007.
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