Blaring misogyny- are the sounds of feminism being smothered by contemporary music?

         The popular music of today is played everywhere we go, from our cars to our coffee shops and even our schools. While some locations may censor what they play, there is no doubt that the lyrics we hear is affecting us. Music has numerous positive effects, such as providing a creative space for writers, inspiring listeners, and creating solace for those in need. Music has always been an important part of popular culture, but as our society has progressed to the point where 'intelligent' technological devices are literally everywhere we turn, and one could argue that we listen to music more recurrently than any other generation. Not only do we listen to music more, we listen the same music more. On 'pop & top 40' radio, the stations play the same songs over and over. An important key to music, art, and literature, is that they portray our society and/or what our society could become. Now, what is it exactly that we are constantly hearing? Is this music truly providing comfort and insight in further ideas about the human condition? From a feminist's perspective, this music is portraying something important about our culture; it illustrates that equality is far from being reached. Because, much of the music played today blatantly degrades women and proliferates unrealistic expectations of women and their physical appearances.

                Although much of the music playing today provides a voice to love, relationships, and even fun, it also provides a voice for sexism and unabashed disrespect. This music exposes the ever-present sexism that still exists today. One blaringly shocking example, a song which made the Billboard Top 40, is "No Mediocre" by artist (if you call this art) T.I. (pictured, left) The song is so blatant in its sexism, it is difficult to comprehend how it made it to the top 40- it is problematic for many, many reasons. At its base, the song propagates the idea that women are only valuable for the physical attributes, if not, they must be considered 'mediocre' or lacking in some way. In the song, the rapper states that "Pretty face, fat a**, if she don't have one of these, well I think I'll pass" and he describes himself on vacation, saying "I'm in Brazil with a b****, Catch me in a mansion in the hills with a b****, Get her out dem tennis shoes, Throw some heels on a b****". First of all, T.I. states that the only criteria that he looks for are a woman's physical attributes. The only criteria. Not a combination of her golden tresses and her master's degree in electrical engineering, just her appearance. This propagates the idea that a woman does not hold value outside of her appearance- this in a time when we are trying to encourage women to explore relatively 'new' fields for women, such as engineering, computing, and other sciences and to reach beyond the established norms, to become leaders, is seriously disturbing. This kind of music hinders these goals. What are young women and girls supposed to believe? When they are hearing music, perhaps not to this extreme, but of a similar tone, everywhere they go? Where does their value stem from? In the second quote, T.I. uses semi-violent language, saying "get her out dem tennis shoes" and "Throw some heels on a b****". The use of the words of "get her out" and "Throw" should be used with caution, which this rapper seems to throw to the side. Here, he excuses violence and does not ask the woman's opinion. It seems that in his view, the woman's opinion is equivalent to the opinion of an armchair. The song propagates violence against women, degrades them and places all value on their physical appearance. The fact that this music made the Billboard top 40 is troubling. We must ask why this happens and what the repercussions are.

                What does it say about our society? Not only is this music being created, funded, and produced, it is popular enough to make the Top 40. It is important to remember that music in popular culture, represents that culture; what it is like and what it could become. My personal opinion of the "No Mediocre" example, illustrates an artist with severe inferiority issues. That opinion aside, this type of music may represent some sort of inferiority issues in society- where women are repeatedly being put down and their value being misplaced because of advancements for women. It could be a response- an attempt to elevate the place of men in the world and suffocate women and their self-worth. In addition, it's popularity is troubling- it illustrates that women still are not being represented properly and their most important assets, like their intelligence, creativity, and self-empowerment, are not given appropriate, if any, value.

                Despite the plethora of sexist music being played on a daily basis all over the place, there is still a small voice, a small minority of songs which seek to empower women. A few examples include "Can't Hold Us Down" by Christina Aguilera, "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyoncé, and "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. These songs are few and far between, but their existence gives hope to the cause for the advancement of women. Their popularity is encouraging, illustrating some connection between listeners and the lyrics of these songs. It is imperative that the music that we so often hear, that puts down our sisters, our friends, our mothers, and all the women who surround us every day does not suffocate the causes of feminism and the small voice which represents it, and that it is given the chance to be heard.