The tabooness surrounding the word feminism and the responsibility it places on the artists still plays an active role in their perception of the word because years later, female hip hop artists are still reluctant to call themselves feminists. In 2010, when Erykah Badu was asked if she saw herself as a feminist, this was her response: “I don't see myself as feminist, I see myself as humanist. I try to be as honest as I can and encourage that quality in my art. The things that people feel, the things people connect with, that is true honesty in art. I encourage all women to be honest. I consider myself a spiritual being first, a human being second, a woman third, and fourth is pretty ... or ugly!” (Yates, 2010). In her interview she fails to …show more content…
When Queen Latifah’s song “U.N.I.T.Y” hit the airwaves, it became a female anthem. The anger and frustration in her voice as she said “Who you callin’ a bitch” let her audience know she disagreed with women being labeled ‘bitches’ and ‘hoes.’ Instead, she raps telling the male audience to respect women and encouraging women to be independent and stand up for themselves. She addresses sensitive topics like sexual harassment and domestic abuse, preaching and reminding her female audience that they should not tolerate disrespect. Lil’ Kim’s method of female empowerment came as a direct response that was very similar to the delivery of the men who made these misogynistic songs during the 1990s. In her song, “Suck My Dick,” she finds herself addressing double standards between men and women, embracing sexuality, and confronting men for the way they speak to and treat women. Her vulgar lyrics, theme of violence, and direct confrontation all guided towards men, reveal a message that is a cross between “Bitches Ain’t Shit” and “U.N.I.T.Y.” Nevertheless, Lil’Kim makes her point clear when she says “if I was a dude, I’d tell ya’ll to suck my …show more content…
They can either use their talents to help combat the issue of misogyny in hip hop or they can help perpetuate misogyny. In the case of Tupac and Kanye West, their attempts to do both only weaken their efforts to show appreciation and respect for women. In both cases, these men made heartfelt songs about women, but also went on to release music that countered the progression of respect for women in hip hop. In 1993, Tupac released his album “Strictly for my N.I.G.G.A.Z” and the album featured his singles “Keep Ya Head Up” and “I Get Around.” The messages in these two songs are completely different in how they show appreciation for women and encourages them to persevere through hard times while the other one talks about his sexual promiscuity. In “Keep Ya Head Up,” Tupac addresses many issues unappreciated Black women experience. These experiences include verbal abuse, hatred for women, rape, and abortion. He calls on men to fix the issue by acknowledging what these women endure and explicitly calling men to order, Tupac tells the men to kill, heal, and be real with women (Tupac 1993). However, it is hard to determine how serious Tupac is about changing the way men treat and view women, when his video to “I Get Around” surfaces. In the song, women are reduced to bitches and hoes and they go back to being objectified as he raps about how much