Music and Lyrics
We love Hip-Hop! Hip-Hop and R&B is the soundtrack to the lives for so many people in the RJ movement. It is important to celebrate hip-hop as a declaration and message for bodily autonomy and agency!
Modern Hip-Hop as we know it in the new millennium was created in NYC by people of African Descent. It can be traced all the way back to musician, Louis Jordan. Check out his music!
Hip-Hop is characterized by 5 elements: DJ(ing), emceeing, breaking, graffiti, and knowledge about the culture.
This blog post will discuss the intersections of sex positivity and hip-hop.
So what is sex positivity?
The sex-positive movement is a social and philosophical movement that seeks to change cultural attitudes and norms around sexuality, promoting the recognition of sexuality (in the countless forms of expression) as a natural and healthy part of the human experience and emphasizing the importance of personal sovereignty, safer sex practices, and consensual sex (free from violence or coercion). It covers every aspect of sexual identity including gender expression, orientation, relationship to the body (body-positivity, nudity, choice), relationship-style choice, reproductive rights, and anything else society has lumped under the umbrella.
Let’s explore some epic songs that discuss and convey messages of sex positivity:
Lady Marmalade- ft. Lil kim, Missy Elliott, Mya, Pink, and Christina Aguilera
This song is a cover of one of Patti Labelle’s greatest hits! One of the most colorful, exciting music videos to ever be made! We see artists of different skin tones, body sizes singing and rapping about women empowerment and economic justice. Most importantly, we see this from the lens of women who are communicating their desires with their partner(s) without shame!
Lyrics
Yeah, yeah, uh
We come through with the money and the garter belts
Let him know we 'bout that cake straight out the gate (uh)
We independent women, some mistake us for whores
I'm sayin', "Why spend mine when I can spend yours?"
Disagree? Well, that's you, and I'm sorry
I'ma keep playing these cats out like Atari
Wear high heel shoes, get love from the dudes
Four badass chicks from the Moulin Rouge
Hey sistas, soul sistas, betta get that dough, sistas
We drink wine with diamonds in the glass
By the case, the meaning of expensive taste
No Scrubs- TLC
This hit was a 90’s anthem! Written by Atlanta’s own Kandi Burruss and Tameka Cottle of Xscape, the song poses as a womanifesto of the valid critiques of toxic masculinity. The group comprised of women of the African diaspora (Lisa Lopes, Tionne Watkins, and Rozonda Thomas) exhibit agency as they demand accountability in their relationships and partnerships with men. Left-Eye, Lisa Lopes raps,
“See if you can’t spatially expand my horizons then that leaves you in the class with scrubs, never rising…”
In other words… “GET ON MY LEVEL” or get on!
Say Yes, Floetry.
Comprised of Afro-British duo Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart, their hit single is an ode to consent and honoring of boundaries.
Consent is sexy! While engaging with our partner(s) it is important to remember FRIES!
Consent is:
Freely Given
Reversible
Informed
Enthusiastic
Specific
We love Hip-Hop and R&B!
Remember to celebrate and give flowers to the artists who have created the soundtrack to many of our modern movements!