Blog #2

Hip Hop has always been a favorite genre of mine to listen to. I hate the prevalence of negative preconceptions around the artists and their work, especially when it's related to racially directed stereotypes. My dad has always been vocally against rappers and the "explicit" lyrics degrading women often included in their pieces. It greatly frustrates me when you consider how sexist and racist traditionally white music genres like country are, which he listens to frequently. I believe hip hop can be very empowering, especially when you look at female rappers and the foundations of hip hop feminism. As the article "The Stage Hip Hop Feminism Built" stated, hip hop feminism is a "cultural, intellectual, and political movement grounded in the situated knowledge of women of color from the post-civil rights or hip-hop generation who recognize culture as a pivotal site for political intervention to challenge, resist, and mobilize collectives to dismantled systems of exploitation." This only further supports my argument that positive things, specifically political agency, can stem from hip hop. Continuing on the theme of political advocacy, the website 206 Zulu included an article advertising an event named "The Power of Rage" focused on promoting the "acceptance of cultural, social, physical and racial difference; civic [participation], raise awareness of the varying issues that currently cause unrest and to learn about and support the organizations that endeavor to bring fourth awareness and resolution of these issues."This event is a product of hip hop feminism and the efforts to enact change within the industry of rap and hip hop and institutions of music.

DJ Selections

"My Type" by Saweetie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5c2iRHlAHA

I really appreciate this song because of its focus on the desires of women and the empowerment of female sexuality. I think this is a form of political agency within itself and deserves recognition for the positive messages it sends to women in our society.

"Mooo!" by Doja Cat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXnJqYwebF8

This song stands out to me because I think the lyrics and music video emphasize body image and the power behind taking back phrases and labels that are used to put people down. Doja Cat has always owned who she is and has tried to pass this message onto her audience.