A conversation on Rick Ross, Tyga, rape culture and misogyny in hip hop.
I spoke with my friend Emma (@cookierobots) regarding the recent controversy behind Rick Ross’ pro-rape lyrics on Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O.” song. Below are some excerpts from our conversation:
I need you to explain to me how Ross is getting roasted and boycotted for implying rape, but Tyler The Creator can say “rape a pregnant bitch” with no consequence. With so many lines like this in hip-hop, why is Ross the first to be called out for this? Is it because of his disingenuous apology?
No, there are several factors…how much do you know about “rape culture” and what that means?
I mean, I’m friends with a lot of feminists and hear that term thrown around a lot but I’m not entirely sure I know what it means.
Rape culture is the culture we live in where rape is rampant, victims are blamed and rapists are pardoned. So, part of this is Ross’ position — he’s a much more mainstream artists than the other artists whose entertainment is in shock value. He has influence. Rape’s law is social allowance. If every person believe all rape was a) rape and b) unacceptable and c) the blame of the rapists, we wouldn’t have a rape culture. We’d have a safe culture. But in our culture, all rape is not recognized as rape, all rape is not unacceptable and rarely is the blame given to the rapist, rather, the raped.
So if Tyler The Creator and Eminem do it, people understand it’s satirical and for shock value but since it’s someone who seemingly takes themselves seriously and has a large platform, that’s why it’s more problematic than the cartoonish stuff?
Basically. The disgust and anger in response to Ross and his line is not in WHAT he said. It’s that he is in a VERY large part perpetuating this rape culture by cavalierly and realistically detailing rape in a manner that diminishes it’s nature.
I get it now.
So, two problems with this: to the impressionable listener, Ross is providing a scenario that is absolutely more accessible and realistic to emulate than any other more disgusting criminal or immoral act, thus increasing the likelihood of a fan copying it (vs. murder, drug trafficking or “raping a pregnant bitch”) AND him speaking of this act like it’s normal, and unapologetically, making it appear less criminal and immoral than it really is…and this perpetuates a rape culture where rape is not always rape and thus, acceptable.
Could Molly be considered a date rape drug?
All drugs can be considered date rape drugs. And in our rape culture, if a woman is on a drug or drinking or exhibiting human behavior, society assigns her the responsibility for sexual behavior, even if it is extrinsically influenced. For example, a woman can enjoy unconsensual sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That’s still rape because she didn’t decide to partake. Society disagrees. Out society disagrees. Our rape culture disagrees. Molly alone doesn’t make a person blackout, it makes a person experience euphoria — but alcohol does make a person blackout and any cocktail of drugs causes any number of effects.
Did you hear about Tyga? Harvard student body wants to ban him from headlining/performing at Yardfest because of his misogynistic lyrics.
That’s awesome. I think that’s great.
I have a hard time thinking of rappers who haven’t said at least one really misogynistic thing. I mean, if it were Kanye, would they protest? He’s said some vile things about women.
Misogyny is fine, honestly. It has a place in hip hop already. So do drugs. So does violence. Rape doesn’t. That’s why this Ross thing is upsetting, too. It creates a dynamic that needs to be avoided. As far as Tyga/Kanye goes, who knows? The difference is Kanye has a lot going for him. Tyga, not so much. Kanye also takes ownership of his negative qualities. They’re discussed in his music. Tyga’s are face value. Another thing is that fans who are okay with misogyny and abuse in music are pissed off that any moment gains traction, but the truth is, we have to fight where we can. There shouldn’t be resistance to any forward motion. There is. That’s stupid. But…we’re women. Of course none of our complaints are valid.
I can’t really disagree with that. I think hip hop needs more female voices.
Hip hop doesn’t need more of a damn thing. Hip hop needs less of a lot.
I mean, it’s a pretty male-dominated culture. A lot of what you touched on is stuff that doesn’t go through my head when I consider the ethics of the artform.
It wouldn’t, because you don’t have to worry about being raped and abused and dismissed and blamed and minimized once you’ve been raped or abused.
That’s why I feel like the female perspective from someone who is actually immersed in the culture and not outside of it is needed.
I need change to happen for my own safety. I can’t vibe with this “all or nothing” mentality rap fans seem to have. I’m in danger existing in or out of hip hop culture. Nobody gives a fuck because if they agreed with me, they’d have to care to and that’s just inconvenient for entertainment’s sake. Hip hop is MY culture. My culture HATES women. That SUCKS.
You can follow Emma at @cookierobots on Twitter.
