Beats & Rhymes: Exploring the Complicated Intersection of Hip-hop and Feminism
Dr. Tracy Sharpley-Whiting, director of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University, has been hailed as a “rising star” by cultural critic Michael Eric Dyson. In this interview, she offers fresh insight on the current state of hip-hop music and culture in her latest book, Pimps Up, Ho’s Down: Hip Hop’s Hold on Young Black Women.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:43 am
Dr. Tracy Sharpley-Whiting
The word “hip-hop” is about being positive. Anyone can rap. Anyone can not be hip-hop so the title of the book should be different. Hip hop songs if they are speaking about adult behaviour should be allowed. Rap songs that talk about crazy people behavior like “pro hurt someone else rap music” should not be looked upon as hip hop music . Hip hop music can have sexually explicit lyrics just like a book or poem can. Any Lyrics and or music that promotes violence is no good for no one. Hip HOp was made to keep the youth of the streets and to get involved in something. Rap music is what some hip hoppers do but not all rappers are Hip Hop. So the attack on any misogynistic lyrics or music should be directed towards those specific people and not just The HIP HOP CULTURE>