Black Studies Hip-Hop Is More

Black Studies

Hip-hop is more than just music; hip-hop is a culture. This research will explore hip-hop culture, focusing on how hip-hop influences gender norms. While hip-hop is only one subculture in America, the movement is more than that for African-American youth. African-American youth identify strongly with hip-hop culture and its emblems (Beachum & McCray 2004). Hip-hop is infused into mainstream American culture, too, used as a marketing tool that appeals not only to black youth but to youth of other ethnic backgrounds too. The mainstreaming of hip-hop culture may have powerful consequences on American gender norms in general, including the persistence of sexism and misogyny.

Black women have long been a part of the feminist movement in America. Self-defined "hip-hop feminist" Ayana (2009) deplores the misogynistic imagery and messages conveyed in hip-hop music and music videos. Ayana (2009) notes that reality has started to mirror television as women are identifying strongly with the images of themselves disseminated through popular culture: Scantily clad, sexually promiscuous, and willing to be hurt. Such images are so commonly associated with hip-hop that recently Nelly was forced to cancel a promotional event due to campus-wide protests at Spelman College, which is a traditionally African-American school for women in Atlanta. The protests brought to light the serious concern African-American women have about the trends visible in hip-hop culture as well as the mainstream society.

Ayana (2009) claims that misogyny is endemic in mainstream American society and that hip-hop culture simply reflects sexist norms. At the same time, hip-hop is a "valuable tool in examining gender relations" because the culture is replete with images of women (Ayana 2009). Ayana (2009) refers to the glorification of the pimp in hip-hop, which seems to condone sexual slavery. Also, Ayana notes how name-calling is common in hip-hop and has started to spill out onto the streets. Women have become complicit, too, with by acting out their predefined hip-hop roles. The exploitation of women has become embedded in hip-hop, which quite possibly leads to sexist, aggressive, or overtly violent behaviors directed at African-American women.

Given that not all hip-hop is blatantly misogynistic, this research will focus on the core content of popular culture hip-hop music videos, music, and club culture. Beachum & McCray (2004) point out that the media is the primary means of information dissemination for youth, and portrayals of hip-hop culture in the media is highly likely to influence African-American youth.

The research will first analyze the content of hip-hop music, videos, and club culture to count instances of misogynistic or stereotypical gender roles. Ayana (2009) points out that women are portrayed as sexual objects, prostitutes, and also as socially submissive vs. males. The research will therefore begin with a thorough and honest account of how endemic these images are in hip-hop. Research questions include the following. Do African-American females fulfill the images of themselves portrayed in hip-hop? Do African-American males perceive and treat African-American females based on input from hip-hop culture? The research hypothesis is as follows. Exposure to mainstream hip-hop culture reinforces misogynistic gender roles and norms, and affects both African-American males and females.

Next, a research sample will be comprised of African-American youth. The study will focus exclusively on the effects of hip-hop culture on African-American young men and women, to determine the specific causal effect. Hip-hop is historically and remains an emblem of African-American culture. Participants will be selected on the basis of their exposure to hip-hop culture. Youth who listen to hip-hop, watch videos, or attend live events regularly (a minimum of ten hours of exposure per week) will be selected for the study.