Less lyricism, more ass shaking: the rapper’s sexualization

Being a rapper requires much more than the ability to recite rhymes: it also requires, among other things, style, personality, and wit. For some people, the aforementioned qualities would be enough to meet the main requirements to become a successful rapper; for others, however, it would also require a certain characteristic that, over the years, has become a must for aspiring rappers: sexual attractiveness. As exemplified by artists like Nicki Minaj, modern rap artists exude considerably more “sexiness” than during hip-hop sessions. Golden age-an era in which the acumen of “women” like MC Lyte and Lauren Hill would forever discredit any lingering notions that questioned the lyrical ability of women. And while such sensuality was very much present during the golden age of hip-hop, as exemplified by the commercialized lust of a Lil ‘Kim of the 80s, it would not be until much later that she began to personify the personalities of the most successful rappers in the world. The time. 21st century. Today, it’s practically impossible to tune in to MTV Jams without catching a glimpse of a rhyming slut explicitly demonstrating why the word “callipygian” is useful to the English lexicon. For some viewers, such eroticism can be seen as one more reason to buy Trina’s latest album. But for others, the sexualization of women in hip-hop is seen as a threat to the pride and integrity that comes with being a rapper in a male-dominated world of rap.

Here’s the truth: sex sells. Whether this fact is based on the irresistibility of those Go-Daddy commercials or the staggering price of a single Viagra tablet, anything with sexual implications seems to present an opportunity for corporate financial gain. With respect to hip-hop, sex is marketed through scantily clad models spinning into music videos whose lyrical content would technically constitute pornography. And whenever these models are removed from the marketing equation, they are routinely replaced by plastically modified bombs whose lyrical abilities fall somewhere between “mediocre” and “hideous.” This phenomenon might explain why the vast majority of successful hip hop rappers (eg Nicki Minaj, Trina, Foxy Brown, Lil ‘Kim, etc.) are more or less sex symbols; However, it doesn’t seem to explain why most successful male rappers, conversely, tend to look more like the Rick Rosses and Lil ‘Waynes of the world.

Aesthetics aside, male rappers tend to rely much less on sex appeal as a way to attract music consumers. While the reverse may be true for male pop and R&B artists, male rappers, quite often, do not present themselves as sex symbols through their musical personalities. And the reason you’ll never see 2Chainz unleash his inner Usher is simply because it has nothing to do with male rappers who often find their way to musical stardom delivering sick jokes and catchy hooks. This is not to say that MCs cannot do the same; After all, we’ve all witnessed the artistic prowess of Eve, Mia X, and occasionally Nicki Minaj & Co. But all too often rappers who focus their careers on their sex appeal as opposed to their artistic abilities tend to to garner the most publicity. It is precisely because of that advantage that artists like Iggy Azalea – a name that, earlier this year, was as insignificant as the meaning of life – can find fame overnight without the help of major record labels releasing artists. such as “Pu $ $ y”, a very popular YouTube music video that demonstrates that the objectification of women in rap does not always occur at the hands of chauvinistic men.