About | La Fémina

Rap music has created a lot of debate within the world of feminism. If rap is a reflection of a culture and culture is a reflection of values, what is culture saying about women when it refers to them as “bitches” and “hoes”? Can feminism and rap coexist? Is there any explanation for this slang other than an objectification of females?

First, two rap songs were taken and put into word clouds.

Then people were asked what they thought about the word clouds and whether rap and feminism can coexist.

After inquiring several different people, most had their own interpretations of rap and how it fit into the world. Their responses documented in the word clouds, highlight the most popular phrases and words. Most people agreed but their reasoning varied.

Nate Moya felt particular rap genres were created by record companies and had no reflection on culture, he said.

“That type of rap is a style,” Moya said. “It generates income, revenue for record companies, creates a lifestyle for the rappers who make that type of music.”

Amber Tarpley feels personally victimized by the portrait rap music portrays of women’s bodies, she said.

“When they talk about ‘ghetto booty’, I don’t think they think about how it affects us psychologically,” Tarpley said.

Jennifer Smith had a different take on rap. She felt some of it empowered women, she said.

Using Jay Z’s line “ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off," Smith explaine it was all about context.

“It all depends on the viewpoint of the listener,” Smith said. “There will always be people who appreciate these artists and then there will be those who are offended."

Music is an expression. Some may listen to it and take none of it in, others may listen to it and have it confirm prejudices.

When it comes to children however, Kali Brooke felt they were most influenced, she said.
“A lot of those little boys have been listening to that stuff and they’re exposed to it at a younger age, and they base their ideas off of it and what’s cool,” Brooke said.

Rashell Lady felt music influences people more than they think.

“Songs are basically others philosophies set to music and rhythm,” Lady said. “Music is one of the only things people can take around with them all day.”

Zoe Weber felt it only influences people if they let it, she said. Also, Weber is more neutral on whether rap is demeaning towards women, she said.

“Because it kinda goes both ways,” Weber said. “Some women like what they say.”

The only solution is to decide for yourself. No one can tell you what’s right.

First, two rap songs were taken and put into word clouds.

One thing to highlight is the amount of times the word "get" is said.

Then people were asked what they thought about the word clouds and whether rap and feminism can coexist.

After inquiring several different people, most had their own interpretations of rap and how it fit into the world. Their responses documented in the word clouds, highlight the most popular phrases and words. Most people agreed but their reasoning varied.

Nate Moya felt particular rap genres were created by record companies and had no reflection on culture, he said.

“That type of rap is a style,” Moya said. “It generates income, revenue for record companies, creates a lifestyle for the rappers who make that type of music.”

Amber Tarpley feels personally victimized by the portrait rap music portrays of women’s bodies, she said.

“When they talk about ‘ghetto booty’, I don’t think they think about how it affects us psychologically,” Tarpley said.

Jennifer Smith had a different take on rap. She felt some of it empowered women, she said.

Using Jay Z’s line “ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off," Smith explaine it was all about context.

“It all depends on the viewpoint of the listener,” Smith said. “There will always be people who appreciate these artists and then there will be those who are offended."

Music is an expression. Some may listen to it and take none of it in, others may listen to it and have it confirm prejudices.

When it comes to children however, Kali Brooke felt they were most influenced, she said.

Rashell Lady felt music influences people more than they think.

“Songs are basically others philosophies set to music and rhythm,” Lady said. “Music is one of the only things people can take around with them all day.”

Zoe Weber felt it only influences people if they let it, she said. Also, Weber is more neutral on whether rap is demeaning towards women, she said.

“Because it kinda goes both ways,” Weber said. “Some women like what they say.”

The only solution is to decide for yourself. No one can tell you what’s right.

Copyright 2013 © Elyse Lopez. This multimedia interactive website was produced in a multimedia journalism class at California Polytechnic State University.