For this week's prompt #1, I consulted my rap-loving boyfriend, as I know nothing about rap or hip hop myself. He suggested Dr. Dre's "Bitches Aint Shit" would be a song that would horrify me (he was correct) but that particular song is a bit old, and it doesn't have a music video to accompany it. In my search,however, I found a song by the same name by YG, featuring Nipsey Hussle and Tyga, which is arguably more offensive, although they're quite similar in content.
The way masculinity is constructed in this song is fairly predictable - the lyrics attempt to put men in a position of power by belittling women. The song consists of a male listing off his various sexual partners (who he refers to as his "bitches") as he outlines why they are worthless and how he does not need any of them. He calls them each out on their various shortcomings and physical attributes, all while making it clear that he is just using them, and considers himself above them.
He is very proud of himself for his mistreatment of women, and proudly proclaims that he "need a bitch that can f*ck, cook, clean right." According to this way of thinking, women are only meant to serve men and look a certain way, while these men degrade, abuse, replace, and use them.
The music video matches the lyrics. As is typical with this genre, men are shown driving around, reciting offensive words about women while said women dance around them in a scandalous manner, completely unaffected. This presents women as willing and eager to fill this role of brainless slaves to men with no desires of their own. It suggests that they are ok with (and should be expected to enjoy) having to share a man, and that they are on this earth to serve as eye-candy and servants to misogynistic men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bm_yxsMCpE
The way masculinity is constructed in this song is fairly predictable - the lyrics attempt to put men in a position of power by belittling women. The song consists of a male listing off his various sexual partners (who he refers to as his "bitches") as he outlines why they are worthless and how he does not need any of them. He calls them each out on their various shortcomings and physical attributes, all while making it clear that he is just using them, and considers himself above them.
He is very proud of himself for his mistreatment of women, and proudly proclaims that he "need a bitch that can f*ck, cook, clean right." According to this way of thinking, women are only meant to serve men and look a certain way, while these men degrade, abuse, replace, and use them.
The music video matches the lyrics. As is typical with this genre, men are shown driving around, reciting offensive words about women while said women dance around them in a scandalous manner, completely unaffected. This presents women as willing and eager to fill this role of brainless slaves to men with no desires of their own. It suggests that they are ok with (and should be expected to enjoy) having to share a man, and that they are on this earth to serve as eye-candy and servants to misogynistic men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bm_yxsMCpE
This IS horrifying. What was this rapper taught as a child? I'm wondering if he really thinks this way or if it's media and his manager telling him what to rap. Maybe that's wishful thinking of my part.
ReplyDeleteHey Aly! I think that you chose a really good song to fit this assignment! This song is sadly very objectifying of women, and assigns them little to no value. YG is a Blood from Compton, or "Bompton," as he refers to it as so I am not the least bit surprised with the content to his music. I think part of the reason that he is so vulgar with his music is because of gang culture. Showing attachment to woman, or just emotions in general labels you as a bitch. With this mindset, being emotional or respectful of women gains you no respect because those are traits of a "bitch," and they do not respect "bitches."
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