Female rappers

Text by AANYA KUMAR Additional reporting by AUDREY KERNICK Art by FAUSTINE WANG WOMEN AGAINST PATRIARCHY

DEFINING THEIR

OWN SEXUALITY

SOAKING WET and dancing ankle vagina, it’s the end of the world?” Empowerment through music deep in a pool, Cardi B and Megan Many listeners, including Palo Alto Some women might find their sexualiThee Stallion are surrounded by High School junior Jaelyn Mitchell, note ty to be something that they are ashamed of backup dancers — each wearing that this inequality is evident beyond because negative depictions of female sexa black leather two-piece set and fishnet “WAP” and is endemic in the rap indus- uality are common in mainstream media. stockings. The deep bass of their song “WAP” pounds in the background. When the song was released on Aug. 7, “It might not seem important, but it is because it normalizes try. Women receive a disproportionate amount of criticism than they deserve on the basis of their gender. Being able to dance or sing along to a song uncensored in sexual content is empowering to women who feel constantly scrutinized by the standards set upon them by modern society. Paly junior Marilyn Yin enjoys listenthe world stopped for female sexuality and “Men demon- ing to female rappers because their songs a second. Raking up 93 million streams in allows for other girls to ize Black women constantly in their give a voice to women, allowing them to celebrate their sexuality and break from the its first week, Cardi B feel comfortable.” songs,” Mitchell sense of shame cultural norms have imand Megan Thee Stallion captured sexuality, — MARILYN YIN, junior said. “People hate on Black women all the posed upon them. “It [music from female rappers] might empowerment, confi- time … that’s why as not seem important, but it is because it dence and opulence in three minutes and a Black woman you can’t seem aggressive at normalizes female sexuality and allows for seven seconds. It’s safe to say the world was listening, but amid the love for an empowering anthem was a problem Black women in rap always face: blatant misogyny. Backlash in the industry all because you don’t wanna be perceived that way. Any note of confidence or power is seen as aggression and anger to society.” “Any note of confidence or power is seen as aggression other girls to feel comfortable,” Yin said. While Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj have become household

The worldwide popularity of “WAP” One hater of the and anger to society.” names, women are still shined a light on the way women who proudly present their sexuality are received song is James Bradley, a Republican running — JAELYN MITCHELL, junior fighting to be heard and respected within poorly by the public. However, this is noth- for the House in Cal- rap, as well as in the ing new — double standards are prevalent ifornia’s 33rd District. Bradley tweeted, broader music industry. within the entire music business and espe- “Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion are what “You got all these guy rappers out here cially within the rap industry. happens when children are raised without who ain’t really talking about a lot, but we

“A man can talk about how he’s about God and without a strong father figure. all would commend them, as many as they to do all of these drugs and then come and Their new ‘song’ The #WAP (which i heard come,” Megan Thee Stallion said in an inshoot your house up,” Megan Thee Stal- accidentally) made me want to pour holy terview with Billboard Magazine. “So I was lion said in an interview with Marie Claire. water in my ears and I feel sorry for future really excited that a lot of women got their “But as soon as I say something about my girls if this is their role model!” shine this year.” v