"Queen bitch supreme bitch
Kill a nigga for my nigga by any means bitch
Murder scene bitch. Clean bitch disease free bitch-"
Many are familiar with this stanza of lyrics, they are from Lil' Kim's "Queen Bitch" rap. Ever wondered why females have always been presented as bitches and hoes in the hip-hop and rap culture? Professor Gail Woldu of Trinity College explored that issue Thursday in the Bitches and Hoes, Women's image in Hip Hop Culture seminar hosted by NYMIA.
Woldu proceeded to give a brief overview of the historical background of hip-hop from the male perspective since the 1940s. Then, she wove in tidbits of history of how women have tried to establish themselves in this male-dominated market and concisely documented some popular female artists' methods and varying degree of successes.
Woldu's main focus was on Lil' Kim, and she mused that her shape-shifting persona has stumped her audience, a reason why her fan base is rather varied. Kim ventured where no women dared to step foot into before; her usage of pornographic text and insinuations gained her commercial value and respect from her male counterparts.
From here, Woldu digressed to explain the connotation of bitch for these female artists. For male rappers, "bitch" can mean anywhere from a woman who has done a man wrong, or a female lapdog (a woman who is trustworthy, and who understands that she will get slapped if she steps out of line). But for female rappers, bitches is an endearing term used to describe the home girl-type of age 14 to 40, and identifies themselves as having had to grow up in the hood. It is a word of affirmation and empowerment said Woldu.
She says that this method of empowerment-the "bitch age" in rap-is a double-edged sword. It allows women to let loose and be free, and women are less restricted by social conventions, but it also confines them to the lowest slums of society. But what other way do women have to establish their footing in the rap word other than to shock the men into making room for their female colleagues?
Marla Renwick, the president of NYMIA stated that, "In September, the NYMIA organized a series of focus groups with students to find out the types of events they would be interested in attending. Hip-hop was one of the topics they wanted to explore." Through this seminar, NYMIA hopes, "The students will gain a better understanding of the role women play in hip-hop culture and how hip-hop has shaped our culture."
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