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Holding it Down for Women: Nicki Minaj and the Problem of Gender Inequity in Hip Hop
http://nursingclio.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/holding-it-down-for-women-nicki-minaj-and-the-problem-of-gender-inequity-in-hip-hop/
On June 3, Hot97 DJ Peter Rosenberg took to the stage at MetLife Stadium to address the crowd at the radio station’s annual hip hop concert, Summer Jam 2012. While warming up the crowd, Rosenberg shouts, “I see the real hip hop heads sprinkled in here…I see them. I know there are some chicks here waiting to sing ‘Starships’ later –I’m not talking to y’all right now…I’m here to talk about real hip hop.”[1] Rosenberg’s comments referred to Nicki Minaj’s hit song. In one swift moment, Rosenberg not only alienated Minaj and her fanbase, he drew the line between “real” hip hop and “pop” not just in terms of aesthetics, but in a disrespectful, public, and gendered manner.
Minaj confirmed reports that her boss at Young Money Entertainment, rap star Lil Wayne, advised her not to perform. Wayne also withdrew all Young Money-affiliated artists from the show. Lil’ Wayne explained his decision: “I don’t know what anyone else believes, but I believe females deserve the ultimate respect at all times no matter, when or how…I feel like a woman’s supposed to be respected at all times, therefore I believe I made the right decision.”[2] Rosenberg responded to Lil’ Wayne’s comments by asking whether or not stating his opinion about a song constituted a lack of respect for women. Then Rosenberg sought to illustrate Wayne’s hypocrisy by playing some of his misogynistic lyrics. Rosenberg punctuated his point by declaring, “Weezy F. – the ‘F’ doesn’t stand for feminist, alright.”[3]
Nicki Minaj defended her’s and Wayne’s actions to Hot97’s DJ Funkmaster Flex the following day. In her phone call with Flex, she firmly pointed out Rosenberg’s sexism: “…For this person to single out the one female on the bill. I’m holding it down for women.” She elaborated (and I am paraphrasing), “Every woman needs to know that it does not matter what people say about you. After a certain amount of time, when you put in a certain amount of work…you deserve respect.”[4] Flex grew defensive, denying Rosenberg’s comments constituted an attack on women. Then he protected Rosenberg’s right to express his opinion although he admitted that Rosenberg voiced it at the wrong time.
Observers like New York Times’s Jon Caramanica called attention to Rosenberg’s ethnicity (He’s Jewish.) and his backwardness. Essence writer Demetria L. Lucas and Rosenberg, pointed to Lil’ Wayne’s (misogynistic) lyrics as a sign of hypocrisy and opportunism.[5] Their insights, of course, are productive. Yet, this spat between Rosenberg and Hot97 and Nicki Minaj, Lil’ Wayne, and Young Money highlights the embeddeness of gender inequity in hip hop.
...
On June 3, Hot97 DJ Peter Rosenberg took to the stage at MetLife Stadium to address the crowd at the radio station’s annual hip hop concert, Summer Jam 2012. While warming up the crowd, Rosenberg shouts, “I see the real hip hop heads sprinkled in here…I see them. I know there are some chicks here waiting to sing ‘Starships’ later –I’m not talking to y’all right now…I’m here to talk about real hip hop.”[1] Rosenberg’s comments referred to Nicki Minaj’s hit song. In one swift moment, Rosenberg not only alienated Minaj and her fanbase, he drew the line between “real” hip hop and “pop” not just in terms of aesthetics, but in a disrespectful, public, and gendered manner.
Minaj confirmed reports that her boss at Young Money Entertainment, rap star Lil Wayne, advised her not to perform. Wayne also withdrew all Young Money-affiliated artists from the show. Lil’ Wayne explained his decision: “I don’t know what anyone else believes, but I believe females deserve the ultimate respect at all times no matter, when or how…I feel like a woman’s supposed to be respected at all times, therefore I believe I made the right decision.”[2] Rosenberg responded to Lil’ Wayne’s comments by asking whether or not stating his opinion about a song constituted a lack of respect for women. Then Rosenberg sought to illustrate Wayne’s hypocrisy by playing some of his misogynistic lyrics. Rosenberg punctuated his point by declaring, “Weezy F. – the ‘F’ doesn’t stand for feminist, alright.”[3]
Nicki Minaj defended her’s and Wayne’s actions to Hot97’s DJ Funkmaster Flex the following day. In her phone call with Flex, she firmly pointed out Rosenberg’s sexism: “…For this person to single out the one female on the bill. I’m holding it down for women.” She elaborated (and I am paraphrasing), “Every woman needs to know that it does not matter what people say about you. After a certain amount of time, when you put in a certain amount of work…you deserve respect.”[4] Flex grew defensive, denying Rosenberg’s comments constituted an attack on women. Then he protected Rosenberg’s right to express his opinion although he admitted that Rosenberg voiced it at the wrong time.
Observers like New York Times’s Jon Caramanica called attention to Rosenberg’s ethnicity (He’s Jewish.) and his backwardness. Essence writer Demetria L. Lucas and Rosenberg, pointed to Lil’ Wayne’s (misogynistic) lyrics as a sign of hypocrisy and opportunism.[5] Their insights, of course, are productive. Yet, this spat between Rosenberg and Hot97 and Nicki Minaj, Lil’ Wayne, and Young Money highlights the embeddeness of gender inequity in hip hop.
...
There were other (male) artists he could have dissed, along with their fans. I think the reason he didn't is obvious. I also think the 'but lil Wayne's sexist lyrics' stuff is nonsense. To me it's no different than telling someone who dares to start taking a stand about global warming that they shouldn't talk if they drive anything but a Prius or some other hybrid. This kind of change doesn't happen overnight or all at once. We need to encourage this awareness of sexism, not pretend that nobody can criticize it unless they're perfect. Nobody is perfect.
17 replies
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buying it. something else is going on.
You ARE white!
No shit, I kid you not... my wife looked out the window last week and yelled at me for walking outside in the driveway in my socks, that I might ruin them. I informed her, "Honey, I'm not wearing socks" (and the wiggled my toes to show her). 
I wear socks everywhere, even with sandals.
