Following its birth, hip-hop promoted important social and political causes. Hip-Hop artists utilize their lyrics and videos to convey messages to their audiences. It has become common today to dismiss the impacts women have made on the hip-hop culture. Nevertheless, men have not only used hip-hop to promote important causes but also females. Since it's beginning Queen Latifah has used hip hop to promote issues important to females to an audiences who do not traditionally view females as significant leaders. Queen Latifah began her hip hop career in 1988 - a time when females were still emerging from their traditional roles as homemakers. By that time, innumerable women were entering the work force making a living for themselves - no longer …show more content…
Latifah appeals to the audience’s emotions and logical appeals by displaying videos of war (0:22 - 0:26). These images allow people to feel distress over the terrible occurrences throughout the world. Later, Latifah shows pictures of people joining together (3:18). These images create a cause-effect relationship, stating how once women come to power the world will be a better place where there is no more war and people unite. Additionally, this music video elicits pathos by showing women standing together singing (0:59 - 1:02). These images convey the ideas that women are supportive in all their endeavors. Latifah also states “Grab the mic, look into the crowd and see smiles / ‘Cause they see a woman standing up on her own two (29 - 30).” These lyrics show how people, especially women, are proud to watch other woman speak out for them and fight for equality. Women do not need to lean on men for support; they can stand on their own two feet. In the 1980’s, hip-hop was becoming increasingly mainstream and Latifah uses the lyrics to establish her credibility as a female artist. Latifah elicits ethos by simply being a female rapper. Latifah asserts, “A female rapper with the message to send the / Queen Latifah is a perfect specimen (38 - 39)” Hip-hop was exceedingly popular among males and appeared unsuitable for females. Stereotypes existed on what certain genders would listen to; however, Queen Latifah rapping broke the existing stereotypes early on in hip-hop’s life. Latifah was a strong supporter of the feminist movement and being part of a primarily male activity helped speak for equality females were seeking. She used her voice to effectively promote