Some men, especially those with little knowledge of the subject, believe they are the only true rap experts and tend to dismiss women who engage with this genre of music. On the internet, for example, it’s common to come across comments claiming that women only listen to rap “because it’s trendy” or that it’s inconsistent for them to consider themselves feminists if they like rap, a ridiculous notion.
Do we care about what these individuals say? Not in the slightest but it’s a great starting point for an article 😊
Let's stop explaining rap to women
The truth is yes, some people listen to rap to seem edgy, but this applies to both women and men. How many men have you seen acting like "tough guys" to project insecure masculinity? Often, it’s precisely poeple like them who listen to rap without truly understanding it, simply to appear “hard.” These individuals certainly don’t represent genuine rap fans but there are many of them.
On the other hand, plenty of people (both women and men) approach rap with genuine interest and respect, appreciating its history, culture and tradition. For us, it’s obvious: a passion for rap is not exclusive to any gender and has nothing to do with trying to please others or look “cool”, also because rap wasn't even mainstream nor considered "cool" until a few years ago.
Rap and feminism
To those who think rap and feminism are incompatible (a criticism made by both men and women), a woman listening to rap doesn’t mean she has to like every single rap artist. Rap is a highly diverse genre, and so are rappers: Fabri Fibra is one thing, Tony Effe is another. Not all women who listen to rap enjoy the same artists, nor do they listen to every rapper, just like men. Feminism and an interest in rap are not at odds: they can coexist peacefully.
Furthermore, rap has also been fertile ground for feminist expression, thanks to women rappers who have tackled these issues and challenged gender roles. Some examples that made history include Lauryn Hill, Sha-Rock, Queen Latifah, TLC and Missy Elliott. Even Nicki Minaj said in Monster: you could be the king but watch the queen conquer.
Strong women are confident, they don’t do things for others, least of all for men. Men, on the other hand, need to face reality: women who listen to (and do) rap are not an exception, they’re an essential part of the scene. If this truth makes them feel a bit insecure, they should take a step back and reflect on why it unsettles them so much.