Stereotypes Of Hip-Hop Videos

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“This is for grown looking girls who's only ten/ The ones who watch videos and do what they see, as cute as can be, up in the club with fake ID /Careful, 'fore you meet a man with HIV / You can host the TV like Oprah Winfrey / Whatever you decide, be careful, some men be rapists / So act your age, don't pretend to be older than you are, give yourself time to grow” (I Can). In 2004, the Hip-Hop artist Nelly released his music video for his song, “Tip Drill,” which included several young females dancing in scantly clad outfits, some naked, and all while money was thrown down at them. The climax of the music video came when a male counterpart in the music video slid his credit card down one of the female’s butt cheeks. This action caused major backlash from several communities and eventually led to some repercussions for Nelly, one of which came from Spellman College. Spellman College, an historically African American college located in Atlanta, Georgia, made headlines in 2004 when, after the video premiered, they would not let Nelly perform on campus unless Nelly, himself, would talk on behalf of the content in the music video. This form of accountability on Spellman’s behalf is what is needed to change the continuing stereotypes of Hip-hop; women’s ability alone to overcome Hip-Hop’s male derogatory influence on society seems powerless. Unless others join their efforts, the continuation of Hip-hop will only allow the perpetuation of negative stereotypes. Hip-Hop is defined as, “The musical style incorporating rhythmic and/or rhyming speech that became the movement’s most influential and lasting art forms” (“Hip-Hop” 1). Created by the youth in New York during the 1970’s, Hip-Hop has become not only a form of music but also a way ... ... middle of paper ... ...d, with the fear of death due to neighborhood violence, it’s a much safer route as well. The need to remove the stereotypes about what it means to be either a man or a woman in these areas is necessary to overcome the Hip-hop culture’s desire to discriminate against women. Jenee Osterheldt, the lifestyle columnist for The Kansas City Star newspaper, wrote an opinion piece about this problem saying, “It’s becoming harder for women of the hip-hop generation to defend the culture when the mainstream is latching on to the ho-stomping, booty-shaking elements of hip-hop” (Osterheldt 1). A rising above these stereotypes for women and showing the meaning of healthy success will also provide a background and stable foundation for future generations. While these changes may take time, Hip-hop culture can survive and become an even better influence on tomorrow’s young females.

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