When you think of the illustrious, beautiful, and talented Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, what comes to mind? Well… I’m sure the term “bitch” doesn’t resonate with you. Her latest controversial song “Bow Down/I Been On”, produced by Hit Boy has jolted the airwaves. In her song, Beyoncé explicitly asserts “This is my Sh__t, bow down B—es.” It is a far stretch from her fourth, studio album and debut single “Run the World.” And we must not forget her popular feminist salute, “If I Were A Boy,” which debuted on her third solo studio album. This raises a question: Are pejorative verbal tactics acceptable to increase record sales and to gain amiability from impressionable fans? The B-word implies a strong hatred for women; we should use no explicit words that will get our point across while avoiding demeaning terms that are insulting to females.
In the world of Hip Hop, pop and R&B, many female artists frequently use explicit language in their lyrics while promoting provocative imagery to sell records. Some of the most notable ones are Lil Kim, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Ke$ha, to name a few. A research report commissioned by The American Communication Journal, Rap Music: Gender Difference in Derogatory Word Use, examined the frequency of profane words used in rap lyrics by male and female rappers. It found that “female rap artists were just as likely as men to use the word ‘bitch.’” The report also found that “gangsta rap” promotes the “normalization of oppressive ideas about women”. Of course, Beyoncé and the aforementioned female artists are not gangsta rappers, but their promotion of overly sexualized content and misogynic views may be seen as troubling. Perhaps some females find the use of the b-word empowering and endearing, while others find it offensive and oppressive. The debate has complicated what contemporary music listeners think is acceptable.
The reinforcement of positive imagery of women in the music industry may lack support from various corporate sponsors and record companies, due to their desire to push albums that will give a high return on their investment. But some female artists have raised their voices for dignity and equality. Rapper songstress and actress Queen Latifah, for example, took a stance against the use of the b-word on her Grammy Award winning song “U.N.I.T.Y.” which is featured on Latifah’s 1993 album, Black Reign. Queen Latifah voiced to women all over the world that “you are not a b** or a hoe” and in turn it became a feminist anthem for women to take a stand against disrespectful rhetoric that is so often amplified throughout the music industry.
In the early to mid-90’s, Hip Hop was an unheralded age in the development of popular music artists. Perhaps many people thought that the Hip Hop industry would not be able to prosper from long-term success outside of the 90’s, because of their unique genre of music outside of the sounds of Motown Records. Those skeptics were undoubtedly turned into believers, which presented the prospect of immense wealth for future upcoming artists. At that time, there were female artists like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu who highlighted the importance of womanhood, equality, and self-dignity through their lyrics. There seem to be fewer positive voices today, as over sexualized and misogynistic content has, for many artists, become a signature staple.
Entertainment and artistic content are more accessible than ever before. While that has its benefits, it’s also a cause for concern, as children and adults are exposed to a barrage of unfiltered messages. Many people may think that the word “bitch” holds a negative connotation when referencing females and some may see it as a word of liberation. We need to have a greater understanding of derogatory expressions as it may be interpreted as positive when it’s really negative. Beyoncé’s use of the B-word is harmful to her young fans; it demonizes women as being wicked, cruel and malicious. Female artists in the music industry should empower, uplift, and support one another to write and perform more positive music. If we support more positive music, perhaps as result we will see a positive change in artists.
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