Rap music and how it degrades women

Rap is not one of my favorite genres at all. I have listened to some of the music because my daughters listen to it. My daughter put a cd on in my car one day that was so so degrading that I turned it off and talked to her about it. She was not even paying attention to the words. There are some rap songs that really aren't bad but I know just what you mean here. What really kills me is how you have to be so careful on your choice of words with black people and I think that is a good thing but listen to this rap which is mostly created by black people and just take a listen to how they talk about their own women. They toss that N word around so much and yet if a white person were to use it...it is a hate crime.

As you say - not all rap is degrading to women. It's mostly the heavily commercialised, establishment, sell-out rap, the like of which you see on MTV (or your music channel of choice). I was lucky enough to hear some 'genuine' street rap when I was in New York a while back - just a dude with a few self-recorded CDs, selling them for a few bucks, rapping about seriously hard-core political issues. I think my friend stole the CD... Most rap is intensely degrading towards women and I find it physically repulsive. It astonishes me that not only (traditionally mysogynistic) men, but also women, choose to buy these records in such large numbers... It depresses me, too. Having said that, most music, and most art forms, are degrading towards women. Society itself is structured in such a way that represses women and denies genuine equality of expression - so should we really be surprised?

Yes, i agree with both of you, there is some rap music, that I don't even consider music at all! i don't listen to it, but it really is bad taste in music! And what is really sad, is that there are individuals that think it is wonderful! I don't know where music has gone, but more and more, I am slowly getting away from music if this noise is what they consider music!

Hi klove, I do agree with you! And sadly I have watched many young preteens and teens become affected by this kind of music. While its the parents job to make sure their children don't listen to this kind of music, the fact is, it still gets out when they are at a friends house, or even school. And sadly, most girls, starting as young as 12 are dressing very inappropriately and are already sleeping around. Because in the songs that is what women are 'supposed' to be doing. And boys are hearing that it is OKAY to treat women and girls this way. Like nothing more then a pleasure giver. It is incredibly sad and while there are those adults that enjoy this kind of music I thoroughly believe it should not be broadcasted so openly because you never know what young ears may be listening.

hi klove, yes, there are rap music that seems to be focusing only on money, women and lust. It is sometimes unworthy to spend time listening to that type of music. It is sometimes crazy to hear lots of "bad words" coming from most of rap songs. They sometimes misrepresent women and our true value. I don't really know what happened to that genre of music. Good thing there are few who "rap" and create songs that are inspiring and not just about "bling-bling" and "G's" but truly tells a great story about life, love and nationalism. I happen to love Gloc 9 who is a rap artist here in the Philippines and have created great songs. Same with the late Francis Magalona whose been a tool in establishing this type of culture in our country. Happy Lotting!

I do think a lot of hip hop and rap does feature 1/2-3/4 naked dancing women. I guess it's all a matter of personal choice for the girls in those videos...but what I'm more worried about is how all the females (especially younger ones) that see those videos will feel- will their self esteem lower? will they feel they have to look like that be get boys to like them?

I suppose the more commercial end of the market can often fall into that category but the same could be said of the manufactured pop music around at the moment, a lot of which is aimed at quite a young market. Some rappers don't have a good attitude but, again, because it fits the stereotype of hard or cool that is what gets played. Rap has always produced intelligent and articulate rappers who often provide social and political commentary - it's just that the last thing the _industry_ wants are those pointing out how rotten it all is.