I love the movie Brown Sugar, for many reasons that I could easily turn into a two thumbs up movie review, but that’s beyond the point. And even if you haven’t seen the movie, the major line throughout the film is, "when you did fall in love with hip hop?" Now, I can't really say and pin point the exact moment that I fell in love with hip hop, but I sure can tell you the day that Jesus sure waved at hip-hop. It went to cardiac arrest, but as I then listened to India Arie, I had hope that it was still alive, somewhere out there, far, far away in a secret unknown place, but alive nonetheless.
The day it went to cardiac arrest was in my car, as I turned on the radio and Soulja Boy’s Superman that Ho, came on. First off, I’m not exactly sure that Superman would really like to be given a shout out in a song that refers to women as simply a ho let alone a sexual act that degrades women. But really though? It’s pretty evident that the exploitation and degrading of women, specifically regarding their sexuality, in my opinion is more than manifested in the entertainment industry. And to top it off there’s actually a 'dance' to it? So let’s all sing and dance to derogatory lyrics regarding women. Nice. It's not so much what these artists are writing, because everyone is more than entitled to express themselves in any way, but that it’s actually been put out there. That people are actually listening to these lyrics, there dancing to it and what’s more labeling it as music. But I have always wondered if such people who listen to it, are REALLY reading into the lines. Are you actually hearing what you are repeating, singing and idolizing?
What gets me is the violence towards women that is underhandedly being sung about. Do I blame the artists? Not necessarily. I do however, hold them accountable for what they are still doing. Music, especially the male rappers is no more to me then the quintessential example of societal expectations of masculinity. These norms are so deeply embedded in them, whether they are aware of it or not, but more than likely not, that as result are conveyed in their lyrics. And then we have women who feel the need to drop their butts in a heartbeat, shake it like it’s going out of style and grind like hardcore foreplay. Women who are then looked at as nothing more than a sexual object, to only please men’s desires, to the point where you are dealing with the possibility of rape. The overlooked messages in these “innocent” lyrics are a grave issue. I love to dance, but that’s not my definition of dancing or healthy sex for that matter.
SEX SELLS. I am more than fully aware of this. Do I think it should be used as a method in order to have a thriving business or to achieve fame? Yes and no. I think that it can be done in a way that does not degrade women or men. Simpler said than done of course. And I’m certainly not oblivious to the fact that the topic of sex has never been sung about in the past. But it was done in way that wasn’t exploiting women. My prime comparison is example of Boys II Men and Superman, with the choice of song, “I’ll make love to you”. Cheesy title much? Probably, but it was done in such a way, that was sensual, near damn erotic. It wasn’t referring to me as something to have your way with me, see me as an object and not a person. God forbid my needs were just as important as his. Now tell me listening to a song with lyrics such as, “Anything that you ask, I will give you the love of your life……I’ll hold you tight all through the night……I’m just gonna concentrate on you.” ;-D Now, if you don’t recognize the names I have mentioned, I am aware that one group is hip hop while the other is R&B but the subject matter is still the same nonetheless.
And don’t even get me started on the fact, that all this music with heavy sexual content is biased. Anything sexual regarding LGBT is absent, because no one wants to hear about same sex couples having sex. If you count Katie Perry’s, “I kissed a girl and I like d it,” nothing else really comes to mind. No we would much rather have lyrics that say, “I’m cocking on your bitch.” Better yet, here are some better interpretations I found, Urban Dictionary’s website defines the term as the following: “when you ejaculate on a girls back then put a blanket on her so when she stands up the blanket sticks therefore making her look like she has a cape.” OR Crank Dat: Crank dat refers to the act of masturbation, as indicated by the lyrics "watch me "crank dat" soldier boy then superman that hoe" ie; Watch me crank dat soldier boy then superman dat hoe...OR...watch me masturbate my erect penis then ejaculate on this promiscuous woman's back before sticking a sheet to the soiled spot on her back causing an eventual cape-like effect." WELL, I’m definitely turned on.
Is there hope for the music industry, specifically in regards to how women and sex are been viewed and portrayed? Well, it’s not going to easy, but changing society’s so called standard views never are. So, being the optimistic individual that I am, I’m just going to say yes. On your part, I’m asking that next time, whatever it is you listen to, really hear what is being said, or what you are repeating for that matter.
