GWSS #2

Name: Chenyu L.

"Seattle and Female artists." When we think about Hip Hop, these two terms are not likely to be the tags that come right on top of our heads, at least not for me. But is it true that I do not know any Seattleite or female Hip-Hoper? Of course not. I am, first of all, very glad to learn about the intersections between these terms and Hip Hop culture from the class materials this week. For example I did not realize that Macklemore is from Seattle. But it is those people, like "DJs, writers, record-store owners, breakdancers, beatsmiths, and other," have contributed to the city's Hip Hop scene. This is how Hip Hop originated, from the crowd with various cultural backgrounds creating their own, or rather personal type of music.

What I like most about the reason of why Hip Hop Feminism is different from the mainstream Feminism that came before is the "lines between the 'personal' and the 'political'" are blurred within the culture. The second wave of Feminism is not fully understood as representing the women in color, for example, which calls for the upcoming of the third wave to care for the people who do not have their voices. The impact of these people might be silent, but are indeed visible. Just like Kathy Iandoli mentioned in the podcast that she dressed up like the Hip Hoppers at the age of 12. These women who have participated in the big picture are not to be ignored.

Songs:
This Is For My Girls - Michelle Obama, Kelly Clarkson, Chloe x Halle, Missy Elliott, Jadagrace, Lea Michele, Janelle Monáe, Kelly Rowland & Zendaya
The first song that came to me when I think about Hip Hop Feminism actions is this song gathered by Michelle Obama. All of the ladies, like Missy Elliott, Kelly Clarkson, and Zendaya, participating in contributing to the song are strong women in their fields and are passionate in helping and encouraging the girls “all around the world.”

Power - Little Mix
I chose the song by a British girl group Little Mix. As a trending, popular group nowadays, Little Mix proudly takes the lead in preaching and bringing about the waves of Feminism and women Empowerment through their music. The representations by each member in the music video are also appealing: LGBTQA+, motorbike gangs, people of colors, and hippies elements play parts in the activism here.

Work Cited:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip-hop_feminism
https://www.npr.org/2019/10/22/772294885/supa-dupa-fly-the-history-of-women-in-hip-hop
https://www.thestranger.com/music/feature/2016/01/27/23480690/the-rise-of-seattle-hiphop