Analysis Of Love And Hip Hop

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Hala Mohamed 5/12/14 Com371 Prof Baez Love & Hip Hop Analysis Love & Hip Hop is an American Reality Show series on VH1. The series debuted on March 14, 2011. Mona Scott-Young is the CEO of multi-media entertainment company Monami Entertainment which is home of the popular show. In addition to “Love & Hop Hop,” the film and television division of Monami Entertainment has produced the spin-off “Chrissy & Mr. Jones” and “The Gossip Game,” both on VH1. All of these shows have a common theme. They are all drama filled reality shows based on the chronicles of several men and women with unpredictable love lives, who are involved in Hip Hop. Though found entertaining by many, these shows are all geared to target the young urban demographic and has stirred up controversy for several reasons when viewed by the wrong audience. The main female characters of the show this previous season are Yandy Smith, Erica Mena, Tara and Tahiry. All four of these women lead separate story lines that revolve around the four leading men; Mendecese, Rich Dollas, Peter Gunz, and Joe Budden. The base of each show is centered on the dramatic love affairs between the lead male characters, who typically have issues with monogamy and commitment, and their cast of female characters reacting to the situation. These leading ladies are both privileged and marginalized on this show. The “reality” of the show is understating their reality from their point of view, and comprehending their choices in a more sympathetic light. But the formula used on this show marginalizes them by making it seem like all minority women in the hip hop world are set in one type of environement, with one type of mentality, and with one type of style or look. In Love and Hip Hop, the idea that ... ... middle of paper ... ...h these anxieties lye in each character; Rich and Erica Mena, represent this idea of dominant masculinity in their relationships. But as portrayed through Erica, these roles can easily be altered and reversed. Showcasing these types of relationships wouldn’t be supported or tolerated if today’s society hadn’t come so far with media representation of diversity in women, and LGBT groups. But even with that being said, minority groups based on race and social class still continue to be marginalized in media, as also exemplified by the shallow characteristics of the men and women of Love and Hip Hop. Though a lower grade of these obscene situations and character types can be found in our own realities, an audience can watch this show without it hitting too close to home for the simple fact that it is dramatized to a level that can only be taken as pure entertainment.

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