With Time Comes Change: From Better to Worse

As some femcees sparked feminist movements with their music in the world of hip-hop, others exploited their body to receive acceptance from male rappers and monetary gain in record sales.

A femcee who shared similar views with Queen Latifah was Brooklyn native, MC Lyte. The two femcees, along with Roxanne Shante, created a female rap group named “2 Live Crew.”

MC Lyte spoke of how drugs lead down a path of destruction and should be avoided at all costs.

In her song entitled “Cappucino,” MC Lyte details the lethal consequences of being associated with drugs and alcohol.

“In the wrong place, at the wrong time/it was a drug sale, I could feel from behind/death, it was gettin’ closer… But was it really time for me to go?”

MC Lyte spread her message further by attending schools speaking to students and fans about drug awareness. Although MC Lyte’s efforts were commendable, she had doubt that the message wouldn't catch.

“Sometimes I get discouraged when I do songs like [Cappucino] and they don't get as popular as others,” said MC Lyte.

MC Lyte’s rebellious music against hip-hop’s objectified view of women would soon influence a femcee, Lil’ Kim, whose raunchy lyrics and sexually provocative attire further damaged the identity of women in hip-hop.

Lil’ Kim fit the stereotype of what rappers desired in a woman. Her music was based on sex, materialistic possessions, and embracing insults.

Not saying she enjoyed being insulted, but had little concern with the value of words, specifically “bitch.” 

Lil’ Kim turned its meaning into something a woman would pride herself on being called rather than being offended.

She named herself and the title of a song “Queen Bitch,” taking on a masculine persona to avoid any signs of weakness. Instead of preaching against objectifying woman; Lil’ Kim encouraged it.

Lil’ Kim uses the word ‘bitch’ both positively and negatively in “Queen Bitch.” When referring to herself as 

“Queen bitch/supreme bitch… I’m rich/Ima stay that bitch,” she not only labels herself a ‘bitch,’ but infers the word carries dignity.

Lil’ Kim’s songs were imbedded with mixed messages. In her song with Christina Aguilera entitled “Can’t Hold Us Down,” Lil’ Kim explains the inequality of only women being judged for their sexual activities when men get praised for it.

“If the guy have three girls then he's the man/he can either give us some head, sex her off/if the girl do the same, then she's a whore.”

Lil’ Kim then counters her previous statement saying “the table’s about to turn,” referencing the acceptance of hyper-sexual women.

Lil’ Kim’s emphasis on materialism, sex, and her image changed the way female rappers were perceived in hip-hop, as well as the consumer.