Women who use their sexuality as a weapon, a new generation that no longer fights the macho society for equal rights, but rather takes the opportunity to exploit their power. This is a sad, but a criticizable and realistic point of view of the gender equality battle. However, the gradual increase in equal rights is too little and sexual violence is a persitent problem. She rocks your heart with her woman power. Her melodious harmonies fill the air and you can feel every emotion coming from her R&B music. It keeps playing like a lullaby to soothe a broken soul. Her voice, steady yet melancholic, floats in the atmosphere like a gentle breeze on a lonely night. Tears trickle down your cheeks and hit their mark, as if the music had personally delivered that quiver of sadness to your heart. Yet even in her darkest emotions, she gives sound to her resilience; affirmations from an unshaken lyrical powerhouse. A playlist dedicate to the role of the woman in the modern society and a criticizable point of view of gender equality.
The History and Evolution of Rap Music: Powerful Female Voices and Exploitation of Sexuality Rap music is a genre that has been evolving for decades, dating back to the early 1970s in the Bronx, New York City. It emerged as a form of expression for Black communities and was seen as a way to address political issues, some of which were taboo. Today, it has progressed to a global phenomenon, with sub-genres such as Trap, Drill, and Afrobeat. Alongside the evolution of the genre, there has been a shift in how women have used their sexuality in the music world. In this blog post, we will explore the history and evolution of rap music, the various sub-genres that have emerged and how women have used their power to express themselves. The history of rap music can be traced back to the streets of the Bronx in the 1970s. It was created by Black communities as a way to express their struggles, views on political issues, and to uplift themselves. The genre started with the use of turntables and spoken word poetry, gradually evolving into emceeing and beatboxing. The lyrics of early rap songs were socially and politically driven, bringing to light issues such as racism, police brutality, and economic deprivation. As the genre progressed, it experienced a shift towards commercialization, with the emergence of sub-genres such as Trap, Drill, and Afrobeat. These sub-genres have brought a new wave of artists who have managed to bridge the gap between the mainstream audience and the underground rap scene. The lyrical content in these sub-genres is mostly about the celebration of wealth, success, and partying. One thing that has remained constant from the beginning of the genre is the important role of women in the scene. Female rappers have been present since the early days of rap, with artists such as Roxanne Shante and Queen Latifah paving the way for future female rappers. However, there has been a shift in how women have used their sexuality in the music world, with some using it as a weapon of exploitation rather than empowerment. There is a new generation of female rappers who are no longer fighting the macho society for equal rights, instead, they take advantage of their power and the exploitation of their sexuality to get ahead. They use their bodies as marketing tools and create music videos and songs filled with sexual imagery, objectification, and degradation of women. This is a sad and criticizable shift in gender equality battle, undermining the progress made in previous decades. Despite the shift in how women have used their sexuality in the music world, there are still powerful voices of female rappers who use their art to empower and uplift their communities. Artists such as Rapsody, Noname, and Tierra Whack are creating music that brings attention to unconventional subjects and addresses social issues. Rapsody uses her music to uplift black girls and women, while Noname is known for discussing mental health and social injustice issues. Tierra Whack is an artist that is known for creating music that is not bound by one style or subject. She discusses everything from relationships to embracing individuality. Rap music has come a long way from its humble beginnings in the Bronx. It has evolved into a powerful force that has impacted the political and cultural landscape of the world. The genre has brought forward powerful voices of female rappers who are creating music for social change. However, there is still a new generation of artists that are exploiting their sexuality and undermining the progress made towards gender equality. As music listeners, we have the power to support and uplift artists that create content that displays progression and empowerment, while simultaneously holding accountable those who exploit their power. Let’s use our voices and our support to uplift those who are using their music to make a difference in the world. Rap music has come a long way from its humble beginnings in the Bronx. It has evolved into a powerful force that has impacted the political and cultural landscape of the world. The genre has brought forward powerful voices of female rappers who are creating music for social change. However, there is still a new generation of artists that are exploiting their sexuality and undermining the progress made towards gender equality. As music listeners, we have the power to support and uplift artists that create content that displays progression and empowerment, while simultaneously holding accountable those who exploit their power. Let’s use our voices and our support to uplift those who are using their music to make a difference in the world.