Hip-hop is criticized for its vulgar music that highlights
misogynist ideas that are instilled in the listener’s mind.
Little is
highlighted of the few women in the hip-hop community who refused to be
objectified or referred to as a “hoe” or a “bitch.”
One female emcee (femcee) who refused to be victimized by
hip-hop’s misrepresentation of women was
Queen Latifah. Instead of selling
herself for popularity, she, unlike most male and female rappers, used hip-hop
as her voice tell women how to rise above the discrimination.
In her 1993 track “U.N.I.T.Y.” off her album Black Reign, Queen Latifah explains how sexual
harassment, male insecurity, and the misrepresentation of hip-hop’s message destroying
the image of women.
The title “U.N.I.T.Y.” screams ‘women’s equality’ backed by
Queen Latifah’s groundbreaking lyricism made listeners aware not only of the
misogyny in hip-hop, but everywhere.
Queen Latifah tells a story of being sexually harassed while
walking down her street. She begins by describing wearing cutoff shorts because
of the weather being “crazy hot.”
Mentioning the alibi for her choice of clothing is important
and highly overlooked. Queen Latifah made sure to do so to avoid the
misogynists, playing devil’s advocate, who would blame the women’s skimpy
clothing on the way men perceive women.
After being sexually harassed, Queen Latifah punched the
harasser “dead in the eye” for verbally and physically violating her. She
created an image of hope for women refusing to be degraded and objectified.
Queen Latifah also encouraged physically victimized women to
not be afraid to tell the police, regardless of his reason for being abusive.
“Bad days at work, give you an attitude then you were rough/and
take it out on me, but that's about enough/you put your hands on me again, I'll
put your ass in handcuffs.”
Although Queen Latifah is angered when she hears men call
women “bitches,” she admits there are exceptions to this rule implying some
women are deserving of the title.
She also points out a reason why the defamation and physical
abuse of women has been ongoing.
“I was scared to let you go, even though you treated me bad.”
This song was a direct message to the victimized women of
hip-hop to stand up for themselves and for women to stop encouraging in it.
Queen Latifah also
criticizes listeners for attempting to change themselves in order to fit the
image of what she calls a “gangster bitch.”
“I peeped you out the window jumping girls after school/But
where did all of this come from?
A minute ago, you was a nerd and nobody ever heard of ya.”
A minute ago, you was a nerd and nobody ever heard of ya.”
A problem with the majority of music, but specifically in
rap, is the listener’s intention to reenact what they hear.
Queen Latifah warns
that this attempt at adapting to a different lifestyle can be life threatening.
“There's plenty of
people out there with triggers ready to pull it/why you trying to jump in front
of the bullet, young lady?”
Although Queen Latifah’s lyrics hold a powerful message, it
was non-profitable or appealing in the hip-hop industry. Her call for gender
equality in hip-hop was quickly smothered by upcoming female rappers whose
content lacked substance.
Queen Latifah’s attempt at unity was overwhelmed and outsold
by upcoming female rappers’ promiscuous appearances and sexually provocative
music.
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